Telephone Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Subthreshold Depression and Presenteeism in Workplace

Telephone Cognitive-behavioral Therapy for Subthreshold Depression and Presenteeism in Workplace: a Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of the study is to examine the effectiveness of telephone cognitive-behavioral therapy for subthreshold depression and presenteeism in workplace, in comparison with treatment-as-usual (TAU) (which is minimal contact through Employers Assistance Program (EAP)).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 20-57 at study entry [because the retirement age is usually 60, we have to recruit the patients well before 60 in order to allow time for follow-up]
• Men and women
• Currently employed full-time (either regular or temporary) by the business company
• Expected to be employed full-time for 2 years after screening
• K6 scores greater than or equal to 9 (or 10) at screening
• BDI2 scores greater than or equal to 10 at 2nd screening (Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) interview)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Part-time employees
• Sick leave for 6 or more days for a physical or mental condition in the past month
• Expected to be on pregnancy leave, maternity leave or nursing leave within 2 years after screening
• Current treatment for a mental health problem from a mental health professional
• Major depressive episode in the past month, as ascertained by CIDI [We do not exclude dysthymia or major depression in partial remission]
• Lifetime history of bipolar disorder, as ascertained by CIDI
• Any substance dependence in the past 12 months, as ascertained by CIDI. [We do not exclude substance abuse.]
• Any other current mental disorder if it constitutes the predominant aspect of the clinical presentation and requires treatment not offered in the project
• Those who have already received the telephone CBT in the pilot runs