Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Group Intervention for Interpersonal Skills

This study is for people experiencing depression or anxiety and aims to find the best way to help them improve their social skills. Researchers are comparing two approaches: standard talking therapy, known as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), against CBT joined with a group activity called Kiesler Circle Training (KCT). KCT focuses on improving how people interact with others. The study wants to see if adding KCT to CBT helps people more than CBT alone, particularly with their everyday relationships and how they feel. This could lead to better ways of treating these common mental health conditions.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Charite University, Berlin, Germany

Enrolment target

156

Start

03 Jul 2024

Estimated completion

01 Oct 2026

Depressive Disorder Anxiety Disorder

What is this study about?

If you're experiencing depression or anxiety, you might find it difficult to interact with others or feel comfortable in social situations. This study aims to help people like you by looking at different types of therapy. Researchers want to compare a well-known talking therapy called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with a slightly different approach: CBT combined with a group therapy called Kiesler Circle Training (KCT).

CBT is a common and effective therapy that helps you understand and change unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours. Kiesler Circle Training, on the other hand, is a group activity designed to specifically improve your social skills and how you relate to other people. The main goal of this study is to discover if adding KCT to standard CBT can lead to even better improvements in your relationships and how you feel compared to having CBT alone.

The researchers also want to understand if improving your social skills can lead to a bigger reduction in your depression or anxiety symptoms. They're also considering if experiences in childhood or the quality of your current social life might play a role in how well these therapies work for you. It's hoped that the results of this study will help doctors and therapists offer the most helpful treatments for people with depression and anxiety in the future.

Key takeaways

Compares two therapy approaches for depression or anxiety.
Looks at how therapy affects social skills and overall feelings.
Includes standard CBT and CBT with group social training.
Requires attending assessments over about 6 months.
Participation is voluntary, you can leave at any time.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you need to be between 18 and 70 years old. You should have been diagnosed with depression or an anxiety disorder by a doctor. You'll also need pretty good German language skills, as the therapy sessions will be in German, and you should already be having individual CBT sessions.

It's important that you also feel some difficulty in your relationships with others, as this is what the study is focusing on improving. You can't take part if you're feeling suicidal, have problems with substance abuse, or have certain other personality disorders. Also, you need to be able to attend regular group therapy alongside your individual CBT.

The study cannot include you if you're already receiving any other type of group therapy or if you can't commit to all the appointments. The researchers want to make sure everyone in the study has a similar starting point, so this helps them get clear results.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 70 years old?
Do you have a diagnosis of depression or anxiety?
Are you currently having individual CBT sessions?
Do you feel you have some difficulties in your social interactions?
Can you speak German well enough for therapy sessions?
Are you able to attend extra weekly group therapy if needed?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you'll be assigned to one of two groups by chance, like flipping a coin. One group will receive standard individual CBT. The other group will have individual CBT plus the Kiesler Circle Training (KCT) group sessions. Both types of therapy will last for a certain period.

You'll be asked to attend assessments four times throughout the study. The first assessment will be around week 2 (T1), then mid-treatment at week 9 (T2), at the end of treatment around week 14 (T3), and finally, a follow-up assessment about 3 months after treatment finishes, at week 26 (T4). These assessments will involve discussions and questionnaires about your social interactions and how you're feeling. The total duration of your active participation, including follow-up, will be around 26 weeks, or about 6 months.

Potential risks and benefits

There are potential benefits to taking part in this study, as both therapies offered are designed to help with depression and anxiety, and improve social skills. You might find that your symptoms improve and your relationships become easier. However, as with any therapy, there's always a chance that you might not feel better, or in some cases, your symptoms could even temporarily worsen. The therapies might also bring up difficult feelings or thoughts. Your participation is completely voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your usual mental health care.

Locations (1)

Charité
Verified postcode
Berlin, Germany

Common questions

What is CBT?

CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. It's a type of talking therapy that helps you identify and change unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns.

What is Kiesler Circle Training (KCT)?

KCT is a group therapy designed to help you improve your social skills and how you interact with other people in your daily life.

Will I get to choose which therapy I receive?

No, you will be randomly assigned to either the CBT-only group or the CBT plus KCT group. It's like drawing straws to make it fair.

How long will the study last for me?

If you join, your participation will involve assessments and therapy over about 26 weeks, which is roughly 6 months.

Will my privacy be protected?

Yes, the study is designed so that the people assessing your progress and analysing the results won't know which treatment group you were in, helping to keep things fair and private.