The addition of cognitive therapy to antidepressant treatment increases the likelihood of recovery from major depression, but only in those with severe non-chronic depression, an American secondary care study has found. A total of 452 patients with either chronic (duration ≥ 2 years) or recurrent DSM-IV major depression were recruited from outpatient clinics. Of these 225 were randomised to receive antidepressant treatment alone and 227 to combination therapy.