Can Combining Brain Training with Talk Therapy Help Prevent Depression Relapse?

What you need to know

• Depression often returns after treatment, especially when some symptoms remain
• Cognitive difficulties like problems with memory and focus can persist even after other depression symptoms improve
• Combining brain training exercises with talk therapy may help prevent depression from returning

The Challenge of Maintaining Recovery from Depression

Picture finally starting to feel better after a bout of depression, but still not feeling quite like yourself. Maybe you’re having trouble concentrating at work or finding it hard to remember important details. This “partial recovery” from depression is incredibly common - and it puts people at high risk of depression returning, often within just a few months.

Why Cognitive Function Matters

When we talk about cognitive function, we mean mental abilities like memory, attention, processing information, and being able to shift between different tasks. These cognitive difficulties are some of the most persistent symptoms that remain even as other depression symptoms improve. In fact, about 46% of people who have partially recovered from depression still struggle with cognitive problems.

These ongoing cognitive challenges can make it harder for people to fully recover and increase their risk of depression returning. They can also impact work performance and overall quality of life.

A Two-Pronged Treatment Approach

Current treatments for depression typically focus on changing thought patterns and behaviors through talk therapy, or “hot cognition.” However, they don’t directly address the cognitive difficulties, or “cold cognition,” that often persist.

This study proposes combining two types of treatment:

1. Preventive Cognitive Therapy (PCT) - A form of talk therapy that helps people identify and change thought patterns that may contribute to depression

2. Online Neurocognitive Remediation Therapy (oNCRT) - Computer-based brain training exercises that target specific cognitive skills like memory, attention, and mental flexibility

How the Treatment Works

Participants will receive eight weekly sessions of PCT, either alone or combined with oNCRT brain training exercises. The brain training involves engaging in game-like cognitive exercises for 45 minutes, three times per week. The exercises automatically adjust to each person’s performance level.

The researchers will follow participants for one year to see how the combined treatment affects:

• Depression symptoms
• Risk of depression returning
• Cognitive functioning
• Quality of life
• Healthcare costs

What This Means for You

If you’re recovering from depression but still don’t feel quite back to normal, know that you’re not alone. Cognitive difficulties are a real and common part of depression recovery. While this study is still ongoing, it suggests several important takeaways:

• Don’t ignore persistent cognitive symptoms - they’re a valid part of depression that deserves attention
• Consider discussing cognitive difficulties with your healthcare provider
• Brain training exercises may be a helpful addition to traditional therapy
• Recovery is a process that may require addressing multiple aspects of depression

Conclusions

• Depression recovery often involves both emotional and cognitive symptoms
• Addressing cognitive difficulties directly through brain training may help prevent depression from returning
• Combining different types of treatment could lead to better outcomes for people recovering from depression