Training emotion recognition in depression—An experimental study

Abstract

Background

Patients with depression often show a reduced emotion recognition ability (ERA), which is considered to contribute to interpersonal difficulties and thereby to the development and maintenance of the disorder. In light of the lack of experimental studies testing this hypothesis, the present study investigated whether a single session of computerized training can enhance ERA in patients with depression and whether this affects interpersonal problems and symptoms of depression.

Methods

Forty outpatients with major depressive disorder or persistent depressive disorder were randomly assigned to a single session of either computerized training of ERA (TERA) or a sham training. One day prior to and 14 days after training, ERA, interpersonal problems and symptoms of depression were recorded.

Results

Both groups showed significant improvements in ERA and in symptoms of depression. Participants who received TERA showed greater improvements in ERA than participants who received sham training. However, the groups did not differ regarding changes in symptoms of depression, and none of the groups showed significant changes in interpersonal problems.

Conclusions

A single session of computerized training can effectively improve ERA in patients with depression. In the short term, however, TERA neither affected interpersonal problems nor symptoms of depression.