Effects of a motivational enhancement and cognitive behavioral modification program on medication adherence among patients with major depressive disorder
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64838/jmht.2026.289192Keywords:
cognitive behavioral modification, major depressive disorder, medication adherence, motivational enhancementAbstract
Objective: To evaluate the effects of motivational enhancement combined with cognitive behavioral modification on medication adherence among patients with major depressive disorder.
Methods: This quasi-experimental, two-group, repeated-measures study was conducted among 60 inpatients with major depressive disorder hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital. Participants were assigned to either an experimental group (n = 30), receiving a motivational enhancement and cognitive behavioral modification program delivered in five consecutive daily sessions (45 - 60 minutes per session), or a control group (n = 30), receiving standard psychosocial care. Medication adherence and depression severity, using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), were assessed at baseline and at one-month and three-month follow-up. Between- and within-group differences were analyzed using independent-samples t tests and generalized linear mixed models, rescpectively.
Results: At baseline, no significant differences of characteristics, medication adherence scores, or depression scores were observed between both groups. At both the 1-month and 3-month follow-up assessments, the experimental group demonstrated significantly greater medication adherence and significantly lower depressive symptom scores than those at baseline and those of the control group.
Conclusion: A motivational enhancement program combined with cognitive behavioral modification has potential in improving medication adherence and reducing depressive symptoms among patients with major depressive disorder, compared with standard psychosocial care.
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