Exploring the effectiveness of a specialized therapy programme for burnout using subjective report and biomarkers of stress

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of stress‐related disorders such as burnout urges the need for specialized treatment approaches. Programmes combining psychotherapy and regenerative interventions emerge to be the most successful. However, evaluated therapy programmes are scarce and usually involve subjective symptom quantification without consideration of physiologic parameters. The aim of the present exploratory, single‐group study was the multimodal investigation of the effectiveness of a specialized holistic therapy programme by assessing symptoms and biological markers of chronic stress. Seventy‐one in‐patients (39 men/32 women; age 46.8 ± 9.9 years) of a specialized burnout ward with the additional diagnosis of burnout (Z73.0) in conjunction with a main diagnosis of depressive disorder (F32 or F33) according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)‐10 were included in the study. In addition to symptomatology, the stress‐responsive biomarkers heart rate variability (HRV) and serum brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were measured in patients at admittance to and discharge from the burnout ward applying a 6‐week specialized treatment programme. At discharge, patients showed a significant reduction of symptom burden and a significant increase in serum BDNF, while HRV remained unchanged. The findings implicate that the therapy programme may have beneficial effects on symptomatology and neuroplasticity of patients with burnout. As therapy was often supplemented by psychopharmacological treatment, a relevant influence of antidepressant medication especially on BDNF has to be considered.

The Influence of Psychotherapy on Peripheral Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Concentration Levels and Gene Methylation Status: A Systematic Review

“…In a naturalistic study by Orosz et al [ 54 ], 71 patients were treated for depression, either single episode or recurrent, with comorbid burnout syndrome. A six-week therapeutic program was followed that involved individual CBT therapy, group therapy, and other therapeutic methods, most notably physical exercise in various forms.…”

“…The available evidence on the association of psychotherapy and change in BDNF protein levels in plasma or blood serum is inconsistent. In most cases, studies have shown that there were no statistically significant changes in the BDNF concentration levels; only the studies by Orosz et al [ 54 ], Yamada et al [ 46 ], and Zwipp et al [ 48 ] proved otherwise. However, in the case of AN patients, BDNF increase was linked to body weight gain.…”

“…On the other hand, Yamada found an increase in BDNF concentration with co-links to weight normalization in BN patients, but the group was small. In the study by Orosz et al [ 54 ], physical exercise was an integrated element of the therapeutic program. Aerobic physical activity is known to positively influence BDNF concentration levels, and therefore it is an important confounding factor which, in this case, could not be controlled [ 56 ].…”

Psychosocial Intervention for Youth With High Externalizing Behaviors and Aggression Is Associated With Improvement in Impulsivity and Brain Gray Matter Volume Changes

“…BDNF plays a critical role in development and plasticity of the brain and is implicated in the pathology of many psychiatric disorders ( 68 ). Several studies have now reported that CBT and other behavioral therapies can increase peripheral levels of BDNF ( 69 , 70 ). For example, one recent study found that CBT for chronic stress increased serum levels of BDNF, in addition to improving sleep, depressive symptoms, and emotional exhaustion ( 70 ).…”

“…Several studies have now reported that CBT and other behavioral therapies can increase peripheral levels of BDNF ( 69 , 70 ). For example, one recent study found that CBT for chronic stress increased serum levels of BDNF, in addition to improving sleep, depressive symptoms, and emotional exhaustion ( 70 ). Some evidence suggests that serum levels of BDNF correlate with markers of neuronal integrity in the CNS ( 71 ).…”