Analysis of efficacy and mediators of outcome in minimal-contact cognitive bibliotherapy used in the treatment of depressive symptoms.

ABSTRACT : In this study, minimal-contact cognitive bibliotherapy was evaluated as a treatment for depression. Twenty-seven people were recruited for participation in the study, and were sequentially randomly assigned to either a bibliotherapy condition or a waiting-list control condition; 20 completed their treatment or waiting period. Those assigned to the treatment condition were asked to read a cognitive bibliotherapy manual over approximately a four- to six-week period, and those in the waiting-list condition were asked to wait four weeks before beginning treatment. All participants were monitored weekly by phone for deterioration, and administered abbreviated measures to assess their change over time.