Cognitive therapy gains importance in treating inpatients with depression, however, there are only few controlled studies available.

119 inpatients with major depression were assigned to cognitive-psychoeducational therapy (CPT) or supportive therapy (SUP).

A comprehensive battery for cognitive, psychopathological and psychosocial variables was asessed

Clients in CPT had a significant lower relapse rate compared to SUP.

Recently contolled studies (e.g. Schramm et al. 2007) showed the superiority of combining pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy in major depression. The high drop-out rate in our sample has to be acknowledged and to be discussed.