Effectiveness of eclectic treatment–cognitive behaviour therapy (ET-CBT) on depression and rumination among nurses of Multan, Punjab, Pakistan

Mental and physical well-being are essential for a fulfilling life. However, depression, a common mental disorder, causes distress, impairs functioning, and reduces quality of life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment but does not explicitly target rumination, a key factor in depression. Enhancing CBT by integrating rumination-focused strategies may improve treatment outcomes. This study examined the comparative effectiveness of CBT and a newly developed intervention, Eclectic-Treatment Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ET-CBT), in reducing depressive symptoms and rumination. A total of 60 female nurses from the Children's Hospital Multan, Pakistan, were systematically assigned to three groups: CBT (n = 20), ET-CBT (n = 20), and a control group receiving no treatment (n = 20). Data were collected at pre-test and post-test using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Ruminative Responses Scale. A mixed between-within subjects’ analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted. Results indicated that ET-CBT led to greater reductions in depressive symptoms and rumination compared to standard CBT and the control group. Post-test depression scores for the CBT, ET-CBT, and control groups were 9.6, 7.2, and 12.4, respectively, while rumination scores were 36.2, 24.2, and 36.9. These findings suggest that ET-CBT is a more effective therapeutic approach, addressing both depression and rumination more comprehensively than standard CBT. The study has significant clinical implications, particularly in improving psychological interventions for depression. Future research should explore ET-CBT’s effectiveness across diverse populations, including male and non-clinical samples, to further validate its efficacy.