Fundamentals of Mental Health

Fundamentals of Mental Health

The effectiveness of integrated neurocognitive therapy on neuropsychological functions in patients with major depressive disorder

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Sara Farzi 1
Azar Kiamarsi 2
Ali Akbar Saremi 3
Reza Kazemi 1
1 Department of Psychology, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran.
2 Department of Psychology, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran.
3 Department of Psychology, Torbat-e-Jam Branch, Islamic Azad University, Torbat-e-Jam, Iran.
10.22038/jfmh.2026.90853.3279
Abstract
Introduction: Neuropsychological dysfunctions are a major factor in severe mental disorders, including depression. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Integrated Neurocognitive Therapy (INT) on neuropsychological functions of individuals with major depressive disorder.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 25 patients with major depressive disorder referring to psychiatric and rehabilitation clinics in Mashhad-Iran were selected by purposive sampling method. Data were collected using the Stroop Color-Word Test and Go/No-Go test in the pretest, posttest, and 3-month follow-up phases. Subsequently, the patients in the experimental group underwent integrated neurocognitive therapy for 20 sessions of 90 minutes each (twice a week). Repeated measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post-hoc test were used for data analysis.


Results: The results showed that the interaction effect between Go/No-Go scores (omission error) and group (F= 2.15, P= 0.148) was not significant, but the interaction effect between Go/No-Go scores (commission error) and group was significant (F= 5.04, P= 0.011). After analyzing the Stroop test data, the results also indicated that the interaction effect between Stroop scores (interference errors) and group (F= 0.90, P= 0.416) was not significant, and the interaction effect between Stroop scores in the subscale (interference time) and group (F= 1.68, P= 0.198) was significant.

Conclusion: Based on the results, integrated neurocognitive therapy can be effective in improving some neuropsychological functions of patients with major depressive disorder and can be used.
Keywords
Cognitive rehabilitation
Executive functions
Integrated neurocognitive therapy
Inhibition
Major depressive disorder
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Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 28, Issue 2
March and April 2026
Pages 125-132