Observed behaviors during clinical interviews predict improvement in depression.

A considerable percentage of depressed patients does not respond to antidepressive treatment. Early indicators of prognosis are needed. The aims of this study are to examine a) whether the interpersonal behavior of patients and psychiatrist, as assessed by means of direct observation of behavior during a baseline clinical interview, might have predictive value with respect to therapeutic outcome, and b) which predictive potency might have measures of psychomotor activation. The relational behaviors (i.e. looking, yes-nodding, gesturing) occur less in patients who will improve, whereas the non-relational behaviors (i.e. intensive body touching, head movements) occur more in these patients. Global clinical assessment of psychomotor activation could not be related to outcome.