Reducing Anhedonia in Major Depressive Disorder with Future Event Specificity Training (FEST): A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Background Improving future thinking, such as characteristics of specificity, detail, and use mental imagery, may be one means to reduce anhedonia, particularly in a Major Depressive Episode (MDE) which thinking is impaired. The current study aimed test this using validated program, Future Event Specificity Training (FEST). Methods Participants ( N = 177; 80.8% women; M age 43.7, SD 11.8) with depressive episode anhedonia high symptom severity were randomized FEST or no FEST. anhedonia-related variables, other clinical outcomes assessed at baseline, one- three-month follow-up. Results Relative the control group, was associated significantly improved characteristics, reduced likelihood (35.1% vs. 61.1%, p .015), improvements on variables anticipatory d 0.63, .004) anticipated pleasure for events 0.77, < .001), desirable less people meeting criteria an MDE (37.8% 64.8%, .011), higher behavioural activation 0.71, .001) global functioning 0.52, .017). Changes found mediate effect anhedonia. Conclusion quality can enhanced Depression, leads substantially significant effects, functional gains.