A mental disorder that is common amongst adults is depression. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an intervention that has proved its efficacy in treating depressed adults. CBT approaches are multifaceted, as they include several mechanisms and can be delivered in different ways. This systematic review investigates the effectiveness of CBT in depression treatment among adult mental health patients, following PRISMA guidelines. The methodology is based on PRISMA guidelines. A thorough literature search was performed across several databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed and Cochrane Library to identify relevant studies published from 2015 to 2024. Overall, 8 studies complied with the inclusion criteria, including 10384 participants. The Inclusion criteria focused on studies comparing CBT with control conditions, pharmacotherapy or other psychological therapy, in adult mental health patients diagnosed with depression through a clinical diagnosis, self-report scale or depressive symptoms. Data extraction was performed, assessing potential factors that affect the outcomes such as, patient demographics, duration of therapy and existing comorbid conditions. Results direct that CBT considerably reduces depressive symptoms compared to control groups, with effective sizes ranging from small to large. In addition, this review also underscores that treatment duration plays an essential role in enhancing CBT outcomes. Limitations of the studies, including demographics of the participant and other characteristics such as, fewer follow-ups post-study and drop-out rates, are addressed. In conclusion, the review supports that CBT is, potentially, an effective intervention for alleviating depression among adults in combination with other treatment methods and personalized care, highlighting its implications for clinical practice and future possibilities.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Efficacy, Major Depression

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