Harris T, Brown G W, Robinson R
Br J Psychiatry. 1999 Mar;174:219-24. doi: 10.1192/bjp.174.3.219.
Earlier work on the protective role of social support in onset and course of depressive disorder suggested that its provision might be relevant for outcome.
To evaluate volunteer befriending as an intervention among women with chronic depression in inner London.
A randomised controlled trial, with a waiting list control design, with outcome measured as Present State Examination (PSE)-based full or partial remission after one year.
A statistically significant effect upon remission was found for befriending. Other treatments monitored naturalistically did not relate to remission, nor did initial duration of chronic episode or comorbidity, but there was an association with initial PSE score. The findings are discussed in relation to standard drug-trial results and to another befriending intervention with the elderly.
The results are not unpromising. Additional trials with less restricted intake conditions, and in more naturalistic general practice settings, might confirm volunteer befriending as a useful adjunct to current treatments.
早期关于社会支持在抑郁症发病和病程中的保护作用的研究表明，提供社会支持可能与治疗结果相关。
评估志愿者陪伴作为伦敦市中心慢性抑郁症女性的一种干预措施的效果。
一项随机对照试验，采用等待名单对照设计，以一年后基于现况检查（PSE）的完全或部分缓解作为结局指标。
发现志愿者陪伴对缓解有统计学显著效果。自然监测的其他治疗与缓解无关，慢性发作的初始持续时间或共病情况也与缓解无关，但与初始PSE评分有关。结合标准药物试验结果以及另一项针对老年人的志愿者陪伴干预措施对研究结果进行了讨论。
结果并非没有希望。在限制较少的纳入条件下以及更自然的全科医疗环境中进行的额外试验，可能会证实志愿者陪伴是当前治疗的有用辅助手段。
