The effectiveness of integrative neurocognitive therapy on hopelessness and depression in major depressive disorder patients

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. student in psychology, Department of Psychology, Ardabil branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran.

2 Ph.D. in cognitive neuroscience, Assistant professor, Department of Psychology, Ardabil branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran.

3 Ph.D. in psychology, Assistant professor, Ardabil branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran.

4 Assistant professor of psychiatry, Ardabil branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran.

10.22038/JFMH.2025.85107.3202

Abstract

Introduction: Considering the relatively high prevalence of depression, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Integrative Neurocognitive Therapy (INT) in reducing the symptoms and clinical signs in patients with major depressive disorder.
 
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 25 patients with major depressive disorder referred to psychiatric and rehabilitation clinics in Mashhad, Iran, were selected using a purposive sampling method. All patients completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) in the pre-test, post-test, and 3-month follow-up phases. The experimental group received 20 ninety-minute sessions of INT (twice a week). Data were analyzed using repeated measures, such as variance analysis and Bonferroni post-hoc test.
 
Results: The results showed a significant interaction effect between depression and group (F= 103.39, P< 0.001). In the experimental group, the mean depression scores in the post-test and follow-up phases significantly decreased compared to the pre-test (P< 0.001). Furthermore, there was a significant interaction effect between hopelessness and group (F= 117.80, P< 0.001), and the mean hopelessness scores in the post-test and follow-up phases significantly decreased compared to the pre-test (P< 0.001).
 
Conclusion: Based on the results, integrative neurocognitive therapy effectively reduces depression and hopelessness of patients with major depressive disorder and it can be used as an effective and accessible method.

Keywords

References

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Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 27, Issue 4
July and August 2025
Pages 249-257

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