COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION TO MODIFY RUMINATIVE RESPONSES AND PLASMA IL-6 IN COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMATOLOGY

Evidence suggests that ruminative responses, or rumination, are a predictor, exacerbated, and residual symptom of psychopathologies, especially depression. A common approach is observed, researchers are not focused on previously created interventions to know how to reduce and replace rumination to prevent the development of psychopathologies. Cognitive-behavioral techniques have been demonstrated to be useful to decrease repetitive thoughts. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a proinflammatory cytokine, is present in plasma from persons with depression so it can be used as a biomarker. The present study was conducted to decrease ruminative responses and plasma IL-6 in depressed college students. For this purpose, participants meeting the criteria for "rumination" according to "Ruminative Responses Scale" (n=3) were chosen. In general, the study of a single case with two repetitions demonstrated a decrease of ruminative responses, depressive symptomatology, and plasma IL-6. These data are consistent with previous studies.