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Biomedical subjects

R E Harpin

Publications and source records attributed to R E Harpin.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1982

Cognitive-behavior therapy for chronically depressed patients. A controlled pilot study.

In a pilot study, 12 chronically depressed outpatients who had been unresponsive to other forms of somatic and psychotherapy were alternately assigned in order of referral either to cognitive-behavior therapy twice weekly for 10 weeks or to a waiting list control condition for 10 weeks (N = 6 per condition). Outcome was evaluated by changes in social skills and depressive affect measured by self-report inventories, independent clinical ratings, and direct behavioral observation. By the end of treatment, the treated group but not the control group had improved significantly in depression, anxiety, and two indices of social skills. At 6-month follow-up, compared to pretreatment, the treated group remained significantly improved in anxiety and the indices of social skills. In our small sample, treated patients did not differ significantly from waiting list controls on any measure of outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

The treatment of social phobia. Real-life rehearsal with nonprofessional therapists.

Sixteen socially phobic outpatients underwent a 4-week course of social skills training that attempted to maximize rehearsal in real-life settings. The therapy was largely conducted by nonprofessional volunteers after a 2-hour training workshop. It consisted of multiple role-played practice in the clinic, followed immediately by rehearsal in a real-life setting in the company of a nonprofessional therapist and a fellow patient. Subsequently, patients were randomly paired to perform further rehearsals between sessions. Drug therapy was controlled by double blind assignment to propranolol or inert placebo throughout the course of treatment. Measures of specific fears, generalized social anxiety, self-image, and global tension and anxiety were administered 1 month before treatment, immediately before and after treatment, and at 6 months follow-up. During a 4-week drug-free period prior to active treatment no improvement was noted on any measures. After the 4-week treatment period significant improvement had occurred on all outcome measures. Propranolol and placebo subgroups showed very similar results. Treatment gains were sustained at follow-up. It was concluded that repeated behavior rehearsal, both in the clinic and in real life is a cost-effective treatment procedure for many social phobias. The approach is straightforward and can be applied by nonprofessionals, including the patients themselves, after limited training and with minimal supervision.

Adolescent↗