A new research suggests that people who are suffering from depression are more likely to recover from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), than the ones receiving normal care from their GP.

297 people with a confirmed diagnosis of depression were recruited for the trial. They were then randomly assigned either the online CBT, delivered by a therapist in real time, or the usual GP care.

38 percent of these patients recovered after a four month CBT program compared to the 24 percent recovery from the GP group. These figures were 42 percent and 26 percent, respectively, after eight months.

The finding says that although CBT is a more effective program it continues to be difficult to access. The UK government has invested millions to improve its Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) program and vows to make it more accessible by 2010-11.

Dr David Kessler, a senior primary care researcher at the University of Bristol and a part time GP, said: "The number of patients for whom online CBT is feasible and attractive will grow. It could be useful in areas where access to psychological treatment is scarce, and for patients whose first language is not English".