Adherence to Islamic lifestyle as a cost-effective treatment for depression

Psychological findings in relation to the effectiveness of multifaceted lifestyle interventions for depression treatment are scant. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention targeting lifestyle habits based on Islamic teachings (Quran and Hadith) in patients with depression in Isfahan (Iran). Twenty-four patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) were randomly assigned to 10 sessions of group Islamic lifestyle psychoeducational intervention (ILPI) or eight sessions of a behavioural activation (BA) group therapy. The depressive symptoms (including Beck Depression Inventory-II, Beck Hopelessness Scale and Penn State Worry Questionnaire) of both groups was improved significantly at the end of the treatment. The ILPI proved to be as efficacious as BA in mood improvement of patients with MDD. Given the approximately easy implementation and cost-effectiveness of ILPI, such intervention represents an effective nonpharmacological intervention to manage depression in patients with MDD.