What is the mechanism of action of this treatment?

Emotionally Focused Therapy for Individuals (EFIT) targets the underlying emotional and psychological factors common to both depression and anxiety, particularly insecure attachment. By addressing attachment issues, EFIT aims to improve emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships, which are often disrupted in these disorders. This approach contrasts with cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT) that focus on changing maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for patients as it helps them and their clinicians choose a treatment that aligns with their specific emotional and psychological needs.

What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for depression and anxiety include psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. Emotionally Focused Therapy for Individuals (EFIT) and similar attachment-based therapies generally have minimal side effects, though patients may experience emotional discomfort when confronting difficult feelings. Pharmacotherapy, such as SSRIs, can cause side effects like nausea, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, insomnia, and initial increased anxiety. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) may also lead to temporary emotional discomfort as patients address challenging thoughts and behaviors.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

The FDA has approved several medications for the treatment of depression and anxiety, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine and sertraline, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as venlafaxine, and other antidepressants like bupropion. These medications have shown efficacy in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. While EFIT, an attachment-based therapy, is a form of psychotherapy and not a pharmacological treatment, it aligns with the broader category of psychotherapeutic interventions that have been effective in treating these conditions. Psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), has been widely recognized and recommended alongside pharmacotherapy for comprehensive treatment plans.

What other types of research exist?

Promising, novel alternatives to EFIT for treating depression and anxiety in 2024 include: 1) Transdiagnostic Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which addresses common underlying factors across different disorders; 2) Specialist Supportive Clinical Management, which combines supportive psychotherapy with clinical management; 3) Maudsley Model Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults, which addresses specific symptoms and personality traits; and 4) Cognitive Remediation Therapy, which can be used as an adjunct to CBT to improve neurocognitive function and reduce treatment attrition.

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Emotionally Focused Therapy for Depression and Anxiety

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By Stephanie Wiebe, PhD

Research Sponsored by Saint Paul University

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

At least 18 years old

Be older than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up change from baseline to week 5, week 7, and completion of 15-week intervention, and across 3, 6, 9, and 12 month follow-up time points

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial examines EFIT, a therapy focusing on emotional connections, for people with depression and/or anxiety. EFIT helps individuals understand their feelings and improve their relationships, aiming to reduce symptoms of these conditions. Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) has been shown to be effective in treating depression, anxiety, and relationship issues over the past three decades.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for adults with a primary diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder and mild to moderate anxiety symptoms. Participants must score within certain ranges on depression and anxiety scales (BDI-II, BAI). Those on stable psychotropic medication can join, but not if they've had or expect changes in their medication 6 weeks before or during the study.

What is being tested?

The study tests Emotionally Focused Therapy for Individuals (EFIT) against a control group that waits then receives online CBT training. EFIT is an attachment-based therapy aimed at treating both depression and anxiety by focusing on emotional bonds and psychological factors common to these conditions.

What are the potential side effects?

While traditional side effects like those seen with medications are not expected, participants may experience emotional discomfort or distress as they engage with personal issues during therapy sessions.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

Select...

I am 18 years old or older.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ change from baseline to week 5, week 7, and completion of 15-week intervention, and across 3, 6, 9, and 12 month follow-up time points

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~change from baseline to week 5, week 7, and completion of 15-week intervention, and across 3, 6, 9, and 12 month follow-up time points

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and change from baseline to week 5, week 7, and completion of 15-week intervention, and across 3, 6, 9, and 12 month follow-up time points for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Anxiety

Beck Depression Inventory-2 (BDI-2)

+3 more

Secondary study objectives

Wounds and Injuries

Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale

Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire (ECR)

+10 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: EFIT GroupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Individuals in the EFIT Group (n=44) will receive 12-15 sessions of EFIT in order to treat their symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Group II: Waitlist Control Group (CBT)Active Control1 Intervention

Individuals in this arm (n=44) are provided with a transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioural treatment for depression and anxiety (MoodGym) that has been empirically validated after their 15-week wait period is complete.

Treatment

First Studied

Drug Approval Stage

How many patients have taken this drug

Emotionally Focused Therapy for Individuals

2019

N/A

~90

0 / 1Eligibility criteria met

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Emotionally Focused Therapy for Individuals (EFIT) targets the underlying emotional and psychological factors common to both depression and anxiety, particularly insecure attachment. By addressing attachment issues, EFIT aims to improve emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships, which are often disrupted in these disorders. This approach contrasts with cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT) that focus on changing maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for patients as it helps them and their clinicians choose a treatment that aligns with their specific emotional and psychological needs.

Emotion Regulation Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder.Predicting Improvement in Depression Across Therapies Using Indicators of Romantic Relationship Functioning: A Preliminary Investigation.