{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.028546712802768166, 'fraction_numerical': 0.007785467128027681, 'mean_word_length': 5.536723163841808, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Pre-Existing Antidepressant Medication and the Outcome of Group Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of pre-existing medication on the outcome of group cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) in the treatment of patients with depression. Method: Of the 71 patients diagnosed with major depression who participated in group CBT, 25 were on medication (CBT-M) and 46 were unmedicated (CBT). The patients received 12 sessions of group CBT over a 3-month period. The dependent measures used were the Beck Depression Inventory, Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire, Hopelessness Scale, Dysfunctional Attitude Scale, Daily Activity Rating Scale and Daily Mood Rating Scale. Results: Both the CBT and CBT-M groups showed statistically significant improvement in depression scores and cognitive process measures. However, the rate of improvement for both groups on these measures did not differ. Conclusion: The study indicated that pre-existing antidepressant medication did not enhance or detract from the positive treatment outcome of depressed patients receiving a group CBT treatment.