Effects of treatment duration and severity of depression on the maintenance of gains after cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic-interpersonal psychotherapy

A Psychoanalytic-Derived Brief Psychotherapeutic Approach in the Treatment of Major Depression: Monotherapy Studies

Over the years, short term psychodynamic therapy (STPP) has been broadly researched in order to evaluate its efficacy in the treatment of major psychiatric disorders. In particular, a consistent number of studies focused on assessing clinical outcomes of the principal psychodynamic techniques in treating depressive disorders. We conducted a narrative review in which we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of STPP in monotherapy in major depressive disorder and to assess possible features that may correlate with its clinical use. Databases searched were PubMed, Ovid, Scopus, PsycINFO and Cochrane Libraries from inception to July 2022. Our research underlined that STPP in monotherapy is particularly effective in moderately severe depression and in preventing depressive relapses. Moreover, a case-by-case evaluation of its efficacy should be performed when considering STPP for the treatment of major depression with other comorbid psychiatric conditions. Although such key points emerged from scientific evidence, STPP should be better studied in the long-term perspective; further research is needed to define the clinical scenarios in which STPP can be considered a first-line approach as monotherapy in major depressive disorder compared to medications or other types of psychotherapy.

Effectiveness of Briefer Coping-Focused Psychotherapy for Common Mental Complaints on Work-Participation and Mental Health: A Pragmatic Randomized Trial with 2-Year Follow-Up

Purpose The aim of this study was to assess short and long-term effectiveness of brief coping-focused psychotherapy (Brief-PsT) compared with short-term psychotherapy (Short-PsT) on work-participation (WP) and mental health. Both treatments were preceded by group education. Methods All participants were on, or at risk of, sick leave due to common mental complaints. Patients were selected for inclusion in this study based on levels of self-reported symptoms ('some' or 'seriously affected') of anxiety and depression. They were randomized to Brief-PsT (n = 141) or Short-PsT with a more extended focus (n = 143). Primary outcome was the transition of WP-state from baseline to 3 months follow-up. In addition, WP at 12 and 24 months follow-up were assessed. The secondary outcome, clinical recovery rate (CR-rate) was obtained from the Beck Depression and Beck Anxiety Inventories, at 2-year follow-up. In addition, self-reported mental health symptom severity, self-efficacy, subjective health complaints and life satisfaction were assessed. Results At 3 months follow-up, the increase in WP was significantly greater in Brief-PsT than in Short-PsT (p = 0.039). At 3 months, 60% in Brief-PsT and 51% in Short-PsT was at work, partial or full. Thereafter, these differences diminished, 84% and 80% were at work at 2-year follow up. The 2-year follow-up of the secondary outcome measurements was completed by 53% in Brief-PsT and 57% in Short PsT. CR-rate was significantly greater in Brief-PsT compared with the Short-PsT (69% vs. 51%, p = 0.024). Furthermore, there was a greater reduction in the number of subjective health complaints in Brief-PsT (4.0 vs. 1.9 p = 0.012). All other measurements favoured Brief-PsT as well, but did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions Brief coping-focused psychotherapy added to group education for persons with depression or anxiety complaints seemed more effective in enhancing early work participation compared with additional short-term psychotherapy of standard duration with more extended focus. Clinical recovery rate and decline of comorbid subjective health complaints at 2-year follow-up were also in favour of the brief coping-focused program.

Psychodynamic interpersonal therapy

The dramatic development of cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) over the past 30 years, with associated high-quality research into the evaluation of its treatment effects, is to be welcomed and applauded. This form of therapy is now a recognised psychological treatment of choice for a wide variety of psychological disorders. The role of cognitive processes in the development and prolongation of psychological symptoms has been studied, and resulted in the development of coherent and effective treatment models.

Are psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapies effective? A review of empirical data

There is a need for empirical outcome research in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapy. However, both the approach of empirically supported therapies (EST) and the procedures of evidence-based medicine (EBM) have severe limitations making randomised controlled trials (RCTs) an absolute standard. After a critical discussion of this approach, the author reviews the empirical evidence for the efficacy of psychodynamic psychotherapy in specific psychiatric disorders. The review aims to identify for which psychiatric disorders RCTs of specific models of psychodynamic psychotherapy are available and for which they are lacking, thus providing a basis for planning further research. In addition, results of process research of psychodynamic psychotherapy are presented. As the methodology of RCTs is not appropriate for psychoanalytic therapy, effectiveness studies of psychoanalytic therapy are reviewed as well. Studies of psychodynamic psychotherapy published between 1960 and 2004 were identified by a computerised search using Medline, PsycINFO and Current Contents. In addition, textbooks and journal articles were used. Twenty-two RCTs were identified of which 64% had not been included in the 1998 report by Chambless and Hollon. According to the results, for the following psychiatric disorders at least one RCT providing evidence for the efficacy of psychodynamic psychotherapy was identified: depressive disorders (4 RCTs), anxiety disorders (1 RCT), post-traumatic stress disorder (1 RCT), somatoform disorder (4 RCTs), bulimia nervosa (3 RCTs), anorexia nervosa (2 RCTs), borderline personality disorder (2 RCTs), Cluster C personality disorder (1 RCT), and substance-related disorders (4 RCTs). According to results of process research, outcome in psychodynamic psychotherapy is related to the competent delivery of therapeutic techniques and to the development of a therapeutic alliance. With regard to psychoanalytic therapy, controlled quasi-experimental effectiveness studies provide evidence that psychoanalytic therapy is (1) more effective than no treatment or treatment as usual, and (2) more effective than shorter forms of psychodynamic therapy. Conclusions are drawn for future research.

Assessing Personality Change with Blatt's Anaclitic and Introjective Configurations and Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure Profiles: Two Case Studies in Psychodynamic Treatment

A growing body of empirical and clinical research attests to the influence of personality features on the development, course and outcome of psychotherapy. Over the last four decades, Blatt adopted a psychoanalytic and cognitive developmental approach in developing a theoretically and empirically grounded two-configurations model of personality. The main aim of this study was to evaluate possible changes in anaclitic and introjective configurations - as measured by the Depressive Experience Questionnaire (DEQ) (Blatt, D'Afflitti, & Quinlan, 1976) - set against simultaneous changes in personality profile measured by Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP-200). Two young patients, a man and a woman, characterized by different personality profiles - introjective and anaclitic, respectively - were assessed for one year in the context of a psychodynamic psychotherapy. A battery of instruments - Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders I and II, Defense Mechanism Rating Scale, DEQ and SWAP-200 - were administered at the beginning, during the assessment process, and after one year. Both patients displayed lower BDI-II scores, along with evident clinical progress. Defence profiles and Core Conflict Relationship Themes showed interesting developments, in keeping with the evolution of the psychotherapy process. Lastly, while DEQ profiles outlined substantial stability after one year, some important changes in SWAP-200 profiles - in particular with regard to Q factors - were observed. Although these findings should be considered as preliminary, these results appear to be consistent with the description of Self-criticism and Dependency as relatively stable personality dimensions. The potential influence of profile diversity - introjective vs anaclitic - on other key variables of the psychotherapy process is also discussed.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy versus psychodynamic psychotherapy for the treatment of depression: a critical review of evidence and current issues

Two of the most popular psychotherapeutic approaches to treat depression are cognitive-behavioural therapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy, yet little consensus has been reached concerning which therapy is most beneficial for the treatment of depression. A review of the literature revealed that, while cognitive-behavioural therapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy are the most effective psychotherapeutic modalities for the treatment of depression, evidence suggests that neither of these modalities is superior to the other. Furthermore, multiple issues plague the studies investigating these treatments. Efficacy and effectiveness are often confounded, while rates of remission and response are often far less than might be expected from such highly regarded and widely used treatments. Severity of depression appears to moderate treatment outcomes, yet many studies overlook this, while the impact that the aetiology of a patient’s depression has on treatment outcomes is largely ignored in the literature. Additionally, a majority of studies have focused on therapies of short duration, which often have poor follow-up results. Finally, mechanisms of change in the treatment of depression have been ignored to a large extent, but there is some evidence that non-specific therapeutic factors may be more important than specific therapeutic techniques in producing positive treatment outcomes. These issues need to be closely examined and resolved if researchers and clinicians are serious about optimising treatments, improving outcomes, and adequately addressing the serious problem of depression.

12-Month Outcome and Predictors of Recurrence in Psychiatric Treatment of Depression: A Retrospective Study

Many individuals treated for depression suffer relapse or recurrence after treatment. Known risk factors include number of previous depressive episodes and residual symptoms after treatment. Both relapse/recurrence rates and predictors of relapse/recurrence, however, may differ between various settings. To perform a naturalistic evaluation of the sustained effectiveness of treatment for adult clinical depression in a psychiatric out-patient setting and to examine psychosocial and clinical predictors of relapse/recurrence. 51 individuals, who were successfully treated/discharged from psychiatric care 12 months prior, were assessed regarding current depressive status and regarding relapse and recurrence. Logistic regression was used to assess the predictive impact of the variables measured. At the 12-month follow-up, 26% of the participants were in complete remission, 45% were in partial remission, and 29% were clinically depressed. In 1 year, 61% suffered a new depressive episode. Having a greater number of previous episodes and having no partner significantly increased the risk of relapse or recurrence. A high prevalence of depression and partially remitted depression is reported at 12-month follow up, and a large proportion of the sample would likely benefit from active treatment. Relapse/recurrence rates are higher in this study than in many other studies, and it may be hypothesized that they are generally higher in psychiatric settings than in primary care. If so, this would indicate the need for a different treatment strategy in the psychiatric care of depression, with emphasis on long-term management of depression.

Psychological interventions for symptomatic management of non-specific chest pain in patients with normal coronary anatomy

BACKGROUND

Recurrent chest pain in the absence of coronary artery disease is a common problem which sometimes leads to excess use of medical care. Although many studies have examined the causes of pain in these patients, few clinical trials have evaluated treatment. This is an update of a Cochrane review originally published in 2005 and last updated in 2010. The studies reviewed in this paper provide an insight into the effectiveness of psychological interventions for this group of patients.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of psychological interventions for chest pain, quality of life and psychological parameters in people with non-specific chest pain.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Library (CENTRAL, Issue 4 of 12, 2014 and DARE Issue 2 of 4, 2014), MEDLINE (OVID, 1966 to April week 4 2014), EMBASE (OVID, 1980 to week 18 2014), CINAHL (EBSCO, 1982 to April 2014), PsycINFO (OVID, 1887 to April week 5 2014) and BIOSIS Previews (Web of Knowledge, 1969 to 2 May 2014). We also searched citation lists and contacted study authors.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with standardised outcome methodology that tested any form of psychotherapy for chest pain with normal anatomy. Diagnoses included non-specific chest pain (NSCP), atypical chest pain, syndrome X or chest pain with normal coronary anatomy (as either inpatients or outpatients).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently selected studies for inclusion, extracted data and assessed quality of studies. We contacted trial authors for further information about the included RCTs.

MAIN RESULTS

We included two new papers, one of which was an update of a previously included study. Therefore, a total of 17 RCTs with 1006 randomised participants met the inclusion criteria, with the one new study contributing an additional 113 participants. There was a significant reduction in reports of chest pain in the first three months following the intervention: random-effects relative risk = 0.70 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.92). This was maintained from three to nine months afterwards: relative risk 0.59 (95% CI 0.45 to 0.76). There was also a significant increase in the number of chest pain-free days up to three months following the intervention: mean difference (MD) 3.00 (95% CI 0.23 to 5.77). This was associated with reduced chest pain frequency (random-effects MD -2.26, 95% CI -4.41 to -0.12) but there was no evidence of effect of treatment on chest pain frequency from three to twelve months (random-effects MD -0.81, 95% CI -2.35 to 0.74). There was no effect on severity (random-effects MD -4.64 (95% CI -12.18 to 2.89) up to three months after the intervention. Due to the nature of the main interventions of interest, it was impossible to blind the therapists as to whether the participant was in the intervention or control arm. In addition, in three studies the blinding of participants was expressly forbidden by the local ethics committee because of issues in obtaining fully informed consent . For this reason, all studies had a high risk of performance bias. In addition, three studies were thought to have a high risk of outcome bias. In general, there was a low risk of bias in the other domains. However, there was high heterogeneity and caution is required in interpreting these results. The wide variability in secondary outcome measures made it difficult to integrate findings from studies.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This Cochrane review suggests a modest to moderate benefit for psychological interventions, particularly those using a cognitive-behavioural framework, which was largely restricted to the first three months after the intervention. Hypnotherapy is also a possible alternative. However, these conclusions are limited by high heterogeneity in many of the results and low numbers of participants in individual studies. The evidence for other brief interventions was less clear. Further RCTs of psychological interventions for NSCP with follow-up periods of at least 12 months are needed.

Long-term effects of psychotherapy on moderate depression: a comparative study of narrative therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy

BACKGROUND

In a previous clinical controlled trial (Lopes et al., 2014), narrative therapy (NT) showed promising results in ameliorating depressive symptoms with comparable outcomes to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) when patients completed treatment. This paper aims to assess depressive symptoms and interpersonal problems in this clinical sample at follow-up.

METHODS

Using the Beck Depression Inventory-II and Outcome Questionnaire-45.2 Interpersonal Relations Scale, naturalistic prospective follow-up assessment was conducted at 21 and 31 months after the last treatment session.

RESULTS

At follow-up, patients kept improving in terms of depressive symptoms and interpersonal problems. The odds that a patient maintained recovery from depressive symptoms at follow-up were five times higher than the odds that a patient maintained recovery from interpersonal problems. In the same way, the odds of a patient never recovering from interpersonal problems were five times higher than the odds of never recovering from depressive symptoms.

LIMITATIONS

The study did not control for the natural course of depression or treatment continuation.

CONCLUSIONS

For depressed patients with greater interpersonal disabilities, longer treatment plans and alternative continuation treatments should be considered.

The efficacy of psychotherapy: focus on psychodynamic psychotherapy as an example

The growing number of individuals seeking treatment for mental disorders calls for intelligent and responsible decisions in health care politics. However, the current relative decrease in reimbursement of effective psychotherapy approaches occurring in the context of an increase in prescription of psychotropic medication lacks a scientific base. Using psychodynamic psychotherapy as an example, we review the literature on meta-analyses and recent outcome studies of effective treatment approaches. Psychodynamic psychotherapy is an effective treatment for a wide variety of mental disorders. Adding to the known effectiveness of other shorter treatments, the results indicate lasting change in many cases, especially for complex and difficult to treat patients, ultimately reducing health-care utilization. Research-informed health care decisions that take into account the solid evidence for the effectiveness of psychotherapy, including psychodynamic psychotherapy, have the potential to promote choice, increase mental health, and reduce society's burden of disease in the long run.

A lifetime approach to major depressive disorder: The contributions of psychological interventions in preventing relapse and recurrence

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is highly disabling and typically runs a recurrent course. Knowledge about prevention of relapse and recurrence is crucial to the long-term welfare of people who suffer from this disorder. This article provides an overview of the current evidence for the prevention of relapse and recurrence using psychological interventions. We first describe a conceptual framework to preventive interventions based on: acute treatment; continuation treatment, or; prevention strategies for patients in remission. In brief, cognitive-behavioral interventions, delivered during the acute phase, appear to have an enduring effect that protects patients against relapse and perhaps others from recurrence following treatment termination. Similarly, continuation treatment with either cognitive therapy or perhaps interpersonal psychotherapy appears to reduce risk for relapse and maintenance treatment appears to reduce risk for recurrence. Preventive relapse strategies like preventive cognitive therapy or mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT) applied to patients in remission protects against subsequent relapse and perhaps recurrence. There is some preliminary evidence of specific mediation via changing the content or the process of cognition. Continuation CT and preventive interventions started after remission (CBT, MBCT) seem to have the largest differential effects for individuals that need them the most. Those who have the greatest risk for relapse and recurrence including patients with unstable remission, more previous episodes, potentially childhood trauma, early age of onset. These prescriptive indications, if confirmed in future research, may point the way to personalizing prevention strategies. Doing so, may maximize the efficiency with which they are applied and have the potential to target the mechanisms that appear to underlie these effects. This may help make this prevention strategies more efficacious.

Empirically supported methods of short-term psychodynamic therapy in depression - towards an evidence-based unified protocol

CONTEXT

There is evidence that psychotherapy is helpful in depressive disorders, with no significant differences between psychotherapies. For psychodynamic therapy (PDT) various models prove to be efficacious. Thus, the evidence for PDT is "scattered" between different forms of PDT, also implying problems in training of psychotherapy and in transferring research to clinical practice. A unified protocol based on empirically-supported methods of PDT in depression may contribute to solve these problems

METHODS

Systematic search for randomized controlled trials fulfilling the following criteria: (a) individual psychodynamic therapy (PDT) of depressive disorders, (b) treatment manuals or manual-like guidelines, (c) PDT proved to be efficacious compared to control conditions, (d) reliable measures for diagnosis and outcome, and (f) adult patients.

FINDINGS

Fourteen RCTs fulfilled the inclusion criteria. By a systematic review of the applied methods of PDT seven treatment components were identified. A high consistency between components was found. The components were conceptualized in the form of seven interrelated treatment modules.

CONCLUSIONS

A unified psychodynamic protocol for depression may enhance the empirical status of PDT, facilitate both the training in psychotherapy and the transfer of research to clinical practice and may have an impact on the health care system.

Brief Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT-B): Overview and Review of Evidence

Brief Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT-B) is an eight-session adaption of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), an evidence-based psychotherapy for depression. The rationale for developing a briefer form of IPT rests on the paucity of empirical evidence linking increased therapy "dose" to enhanced therapeutic effects. The goal of IPT-B is to allow individuals who are unlikely to attend 16 sessions of psychotherapy-because of external or internal constraints-to receive the full benefits of IPT in fewer sessions. We provide an overview of IPT-B and describe the modifications made to standard IPT to adjust for the truncated time course. We then review the empirical evidence supporting this briefer model of IPT, including four open studies, one matched case-control study, and three randomized controlled trials. We conclude that IPT-B offers the dual advantages of rapid relief from suffering and decreased resource utilization.

Interpersonal psychotherapy for postpartum depression: a systematic review

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a dynamically informed and present-focused psychotherapy originally conceived for patients with unipolar depression and subsequently modified for other disorders, including postpartum depression (PPD). The aim of this paper is to review the evidence on the efficacy of IPT for PPD. We conducted a systematic review of studies published between 1995 and April 2013 assessing the efficacy of IPT for PPD using PubMed and PsycINFO. We included the following: (i) articles that presented a combination of at least two of the established terms in the abstract, namely, interpersonal [all fields] and ("psychotherapy" [MeSH terms] or psychotherapy [all fields]) and (perinatal [all fields] or postpartum [all fields]) and ("depressive disorder" [MeSH terms] or ("depressive" [all fields] and "disorder" [all fields]) or depressive disorder [all fields] or "depression" [all fields] or depression [MeSH terms]); (ii) manuscripts in English; (iii) original articles; and (iv) prospective or retrospective observational studies (analytical or descriptive), experimental, or quasi-experimental. Exclusion criteria were as follows: (i) other study designs, such as case reports, case series, and reviews; (ii) non-original studies including editorials, book reviews, and letters to the editor; and (iii) studies not specifically designed and focused on IPT. We identified 11 clinical primary trials assessing the efficacy of IPT for PPD, including 3 trials with group interventions (G-IPT) and one that required the presence of the partner (PA-IPT). We also identified six studies interpersonal-psychotherapy-oriented preventive interventions for use in pregnancy. IPT studies showed overall clinical improvement in the most commonly used depression measures in postpartum depressed women (EPDS, HDRS, BDI) and often-full recovery in several cases of treated patients. Evidence from clinical trials indicates that, when administered in monotherapy (or in combination with antidepressants), IPT may shorten the time to recovery from PPD and prolong the time spent in clinical remission.

Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapies for common mental disorders

BACKGROUND

Since the mid-1970s, short-term psychodynamic psychotherapies (STPP) for a broad range of psychological and somatic disorders have been developed and studied. Early published meta-analyses of STPP, using different methods and samples, have yielded conflicting results, although some meta-analyses have consistently supported an empirical basis for STPP. This is an update of a review that was last updated in 2006.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy of STPP for adults with common mental disorders compared with wait-list controls, treatments as usual and minimal contact controls in randomised controlled trials (RCTs). To specify the differential effects of STPP for people with different disorders (e.g. depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, mixed disorders and personality disorder) and treatment characteristics (e.g. manualised versus non-manualised therapies).

SEARCH METHODS

The Cochrane Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Group's Specialised Register (CCDANCTR) was searched to February 2014, this register includes relevant randomised controlled trials from The Cochrane Library (all years), EMBASE (1974-), MEDLINE (1950-) and PsycINFO (1967-). We also conducted searches on CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, DARE and Biological Abstracts (all years to July 2012) and all relevant studies (identified to 2012) were fully incorporated in this review update. We checked references from papers retrieved. We contacted a large group of psychodynamic researchers in an attempt to find new studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included all RCTs of adults with common mental disorders, in which a brief psychodynamic therapy lasting 40 or fewer hours in total was provided in individual format.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Eight review authors working in pairs evaluated studies. We selected studies only if pairs of review authors agreed that the studies met inclusion criteria. We consulted a third review author if two review authors could not reach consensus. Two review authors collected data and entered it into Review Manager software. Two review authors assessed and scored risk of bias. We assessed publication bias using a funnel plot. Two review authors conducted and reviewed subgroup analyses.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 33 studies of STPP involving 2173 randomised participants with common mental disorders. Studies were of diverse conditions in which problems with emotional regulation were purported to play a causative role albeit through a range of symptom presentations. These studies evaluated STPP for this review's primary outcomes (general, somatic, anxiety and depressive symptom reduction), as well as interpersonal problems and social adjustment. Except for somatic measures in the short-term, all outcome categories suggested significantly greater improvement in the treatment versus the control groups in the short-term and medium-term. Effect sizes increased in long-term follow-up, but some of these effects did not reach statistical significance. A relatively small number of studies (N < 20) contributed data for the outcome categories. There was also significant heterogeneity between studies in most categories, possibly due to observed differences between manualised versus non-manualised treatments, short versus longer treatments, studies with observer-rated versus self report outcomes, and studies employing different treatment models.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There has been further study of STPP and it continues to show promise, with modest to large gains for a wide variety of people. However, given the limited data, loss of significance in some measures at long-term follow-up and heterogeneity between studies, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Furthermore, variability in treatment delivery and treatment quality may limit the reliability of estimates of effect for STPP. Larger studies of higher quality and with specific diagnoses are warranted.

Psychodynamic-interpersonal therapy: an overview of the treatment approach and evidence base

This article describes the development of Psychodynamic-Interpersonal Therapy or the Conversational Model of therapy, as it is also known. It includes a brief description of the approach to therapy, a review of the evidence base, and a brief description of qualitative and psychotherapy process research that has been conducted on the model.

Psychotherapy for depression: a randomized clinical trial comparing schema therapy and cognitive behavior therapy

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for depression has been robustly supported, however, up to fifty percent of individuals do not respond fully. A growing body of research indicates Schema Therapy (ST) is an effective treatment for difficult and entrenched problems, and as such, may be an effective therapy for depression.

METHODS

In this randomized clinical trial the comparative efficacy of CBT and ST for depression was examined. 100 participants with major depression received weekly cognitive behavioral therapy or schema therapy sessions for 6 months, followed by monthly therapy sessions for 6 months. Key outcomes were comparisons over the weekly and monthly sessions of therapy along with remission and recovery rates. Additional analyses examined outcome for those with chronic depression and comorbid personality disorders.

RESULTS

ST was not significantly better (nor worse) than CBT for the treatment of depression. The therapies were of comparable efficacy on all key outcomes. There were no differential treatment effects for those with chronic depression or comorbid personality disorders.

LIMITATIONS

This study needs replication.

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary research indicates that ST may provide an effective alternative therapy for depression.

Randomized trial on the effectiveness of long- and short-term psychotherapy on psychiatric symptoms and working ability during a 5-year follow-up

BACKGROUND

The information on whether long-term psychotherapy is superior in comparison with short-term therapies during a long time-perspective in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorder is incomplete.

AIMS

The present study addresses this question in a clinical trial with an exceptionally long follow-up.

METHODS

In the Helsinki Psychotherapy Study, 326 outpatients with mood or anxiety disorder were randomly assigned to long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy and two types of short-term psychotherapy (short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy and solution-focused therapy) and were followed up for 5 years from the start of treatment. The outcome measures were psychiatric symptoms measured by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Symptom Check List, anxiety scale (SCL-90-Anx), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) and Symptom Check List, Global Severity Index (SCL-90-GSI), and working ability measured by the Work Ability Index (WAI), the Work-subscale (SAS-Work) of the Social Adjustment Scale (SAS-SR) and the Perceived Psychological Functioning Scale (PPF). Furthermore, remission variables based on changes in psychiatric symptoms and use of auxiliary treatment, were used.

RESULTS

After the 5-year follow-up, the rate of recovery from psychiatric symptoms and the work ability improvement rate remained higher in the long-term therapy group, whereas no differences in the effectiveness of the two short-term therapies of different modalities were found.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term psychotherapy is more effective than short-term therapy during a long follow-up, suggesting the need for a careful evaluation of suitability to short-term therapy. More research on the long-term effects of psychotherapy in large-scale studies is still needed, however.

Effects of cognitive therapy versus interpersonal psychotherapy in patients with major depressive disorder: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials with meta-analyses and trial sequential analyses

BACKGROUND

Major depressive disorder afflicts an estimated 17% of individuals during their lifetime at tremendous suffering and cost. Cognitive therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy are treatment options, but their effects have only been limitedly compared in systematic reviews.

METHOD

Using Cochrane systematic review methodology we compared the benefits and harm of cognitive therapy versus interpersonal psychotherapy for major depressive disorder. Trials were identified by searching the Cochrane Library's CENTRAL, Medline via PubMed, EMBASE, Psychlit, PsycInfo, and Science Citation Index Expanded until February 2010. Continuous outcome measures were assessed by mean difference and dichotomous outcomes by odds ratio. We conducted trial sequential analysis to control for random errors.

RESULTS

We included seven trials randomizing 741 participants. All trials had high risk of bias. Meta-analysis of the four trials reporting data at cessation of treatment on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression showed no significant difference between the two interventions [mean difference -1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.35 to 0.32]. Meta-analysis of the five trials reporting data at cessation of treatment on the Beck Depression Inventory showed comparable results (mean difference -1.29, 95% CI -2.73 to 0.14). Trial sequential analysis indicated that more data are needed to definitively settle the question of a differential effect. None of the included trial reported on adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Randomized trials with low risk of bias and low risk of random errors are needed, although the effects of cognitive therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy do not seem to differ significantly regarding depressive symptoms. Future trials should report on adverse events.

Psychological interventions for symptomatic management of non-specific chest pain in patients with normal coronary anatomy

BACKGROUND

Recurrent chest pain in the absence of coronary artery disease is a common problem that sometimes leads to excess use of medical care. Although many studies examine the causes of pain in these patients, few clinical trials have evaluated treatment. The studies reviewed in this paper provide an insight into the effectiveness of psychological interventions for this group of patients.

OBJECTIVES

To update the previously published systematic review.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane LIbrary (CENTRAL and DARE) (Issue 3 of 4 2011), MEDLINE (1966 to August Week 5, 2011), CINAHL (1982 to Sept 2011) EMBASE (1980 to Week 35 2011), PsycINFO (1887 to Sept Week 1, 2011), and Biological Abstracts (January 1980 to Sept 2011). We also searched citation lists and approached authors.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with standardised outcome methodology that tested any form of psychotherapy for chest pain with normal anatomy. Diagnoses included non-specific chest pain (NSCP), atypical chest pain, syndrome X, or chest pain with normal coronary anatomy (as either inpatients or outpatients).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently selected studies for inclusion, extracted data and assessed quality of studies. The authors contacted trial authors for further information about the RCTs included.

MAIN RESULTS

Six new RCTs were located and added to the existing trials, therefore, a total of 15 RCTs (803 participants) were included. There was a significant reduction in reports of chest pain in the first three months following the intervention; fixed-effect relative risk = 0.68 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.81). This was maintained from three to nine months afterwards; relative risk = 0.59 (95% CI 0.45 to 0.76). There was also a significant increase in the number of chest pain free days up to three months following the intervention; mean difference = 2.81 (95% CI 1.28 to 4.34). This was associated with reduced chest pain frequency (random-effects mean difference = -2.26 95% CI -4.41 to -0.12) but there was no evidence of effect of treatment on chest pain frequency from three to twelve months (random-effects mean difference -0.81 95% CI -2.35, 0.74). There was no effect on severity (random-effects mean difference = -4.64 (95% CI -12.18 to 2.89) up to three months after the intervention. Overall there was generally a low risk of bias, however, there was high heterogeneity and caution is required in interpreting these results. Wide variability in outcome measures made integration of studies for secondary outcome measures difficult to report on.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review suggests a modest to moderate benefit for psychological interventions, particularly those using a cognitive-behavioural framework, which was largely restricted to the first three months after the intervention. Hypnotherapy is also a possible alternative. The evidence for brief interventions was less clear. Further RCTs of psychological interventions for NSCP with follow-up periods of at least 12 months are needed.

Trajectories of long-term outcomes for postnatally depressed mothers treated with group interpersonal psychotherapy

There is evidence that psychological treatments for postnatal depression are effective in the short-term; however, whether the effects are enduring over time remains an important empirical question. The aim of this study was to investigate the depressive symptoms and interpersonal functioning of participants in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of group interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT-G) at 2 years posttreatment. The study also examined long-term trajectories, such as whether participants maintained their recovery status, achieved later recovery, recurrence or persistent symptoms. Approximately 2 years posttreatment, all women in the original RCT (N = 50) were invited to participate in a mailed follow-up. A repeated measures analysis of variance assessed differences between the treatment and control conditions on depression and interpersonal scores across five measurement occasions: baseline, mid-treatment, end of treatment and 3-month and 2-year follow-up. Chi-square tests were used to analyse the percentage of participants in the four recovery categories. Mothers who received IPT-G improved more rapidly in the short-term and were less likely to develop persistent depressive symptoms in the long-term. Fifty seven percent of IPT-G mothers maintained their recovery over the follow-up period. Overall, IPT-G participants were significantly less likely to require follow-up treatment. Limitations include the use of self-report questionnaires to classify recovery. The positive finding that fewer women in the group condition experienced a persistent course of depression highlights its possible enduring effects after treatment discontinuation. Further research is needed to improve our long-term management of postnatal depression for individuals who are vulnerable to a recurrent or chronic trajectory.

Two short forms of the Agnew Relationship Measure: the ARM-5 and ARM-12

This article reports the development and psychometric properties of two short forms of the 28-item Agnew Relationship Measure, the ARM-12 and ARM-5. For the ARM-12, results of previous research were used together with conceptual considerations to select three items to represent each of four ARM subscales: Bond, Partnership, Confidence, and Openness. For the ARM-5, item-analytic principles were used to select five items to represent overall alliance. In all three ARMs, client and therapist versions were constructed to contain parallel items. We drew data to assess reliability and validity from three UK trials of brief therapy for depression. Results indicated that the two short ARMs have acceptable psychometric properties and that they converged with each other and with the full ARM.

Relapse and recurrence prevention in depression: current research and future prospects

There is a growing body of literature which indicates that acute phases of psychotherapy are often ineffective in preventing relapse and recurrence in major depression. As a result, there is a need to develop and evaluate therapeutic approaches which aim to reduce the risk of relapse. This article provides a review of the empirical studies which have tested the prophylactic effects of therapy (cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness-based, and interpersonal psychotherapy) targeting relapse and recurrence in major depression. For definitional clarity, relapse is defined here as a return to full depressive symptomatology before an individual has reached a full recovery, whereas recurrence in defined as the onset of a new depressive episode after a full recovery has been achieved. Psychotherapeutic efforts to prevent relapse and recurrence in depression have been effective to varying degrees, and a number of variables appear to moderate the success of these approaches. A consistent finding has been that preventive cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based therapies are most effective for patients with three or more previous depressive episodes, and alternative explanations for this finding are discussed. It is noted, however, that a number of methodological limitations exist within this field of research, and so a set of hypotheses that may guide future studies in this area is provided.

Psychological interventions for symptomatic management of non-specific chest pain in patients with normal coronary anatomy

BACKGROUND

Recurrent chest pain in the absence of coronary artery disease is a common problem that sometimes leads to excess use of medical care. Although many studies examine the causes of pain in these patients, few clinical trials have evaluated treatment. The studies reviewed in this paper provide an insight into the effectiveness of psychological interventions for this group of patients.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate psychological treatments for non-specific chest pain (NSCP) with normal coronary anatomy.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2008, Issue 4), MEDLINE (1966 to December 2008), CINAHL (1982 to December 2008) EMBASE (1980 to December 2008), PsycINFO (1887 to December 2008), the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE) and Biological Abstracts (January 1980 to December 2008). We also searched citation lists and approached authors.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with standardised outcome methodology that tested any form of psychotherapy for chest pain with normal anatomy. Diagnoses included non-specific chest pain, atypical chest pain, syndrome X, or chest pain with normal coronary anatomy (as either inpatients or outpatients).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently selected studies for inclusion, extracted data and assessed quality of studies. The authors contacted trial authors for further information about the RCTs included.

MAIN RESULTS

Ten RCTs (484 participants) were included. There was a significant reduction in reports of chest pain in the first three months following the intervention; fixed effects relative risk = 0.68 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.81). This was maintained from 3 to 9 months afterwards; relative risk = 0.59 (95% CI 0.45 to 0.76). There was also a significant increase in the number of chest pain free days up to three months following the intervention; mean difference = 2.81 (95% CI 1.28 to 4.34). This was associated with reduced chest pain frequency (mean difference = -1.73 (95% CI -2.21 to -1.26)) and severity (mean difference = -6.86 (95% CI -10.74 to -2.97)). However, there was high heterogeneity and caution is required in interpreting these results. Wide variability in outcome measures made integration of studies for secondary outcome measures difficult to report on.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review suggests a modest to moderate benefit for psychological interventions, particularly those using a cognitive-behavioural framework, which was largely restricted to the first three months after the intervention. Hypnotherapy is also a possible alternative. The evidence for brief interventions was less clear. Further RCTs of psychological interventions for NSCP with follow-up periods of at least 12 months are needed.

Psychological treatments for the management of irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND

No consensus exists on the optimal treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Psychological treatments are increasingly advocated but their effectiveness is unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy of psychological interventions for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

SEARCH STRATEGY

A computer assisted search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychInfo, CINAHL, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library and Google Scholar was performed for the years 1966-2008. Local databases were searched in Europe.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised trials comparing single psychological interventions with either usual care or mock interventions in patients over 16 years of age. No language criterion was applied.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The search identified 25 studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The relative risk (RR), risk difference (RD), number needed to treat (NNT) and standardized mean difference (SMD) along with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a random effects model for each outcome.

MAIN RESULTS

Psychological interventions as a group The SMD for symptom score improvement at 2 and 3 months was 0.97 (95% CI 0.29 to 1.65) and 0.62 (95% CI 0.45 to 0.79) respectively compared to usual care. Against placebo, the SMDs were 0.71 (95% CI 0.08 to 1.33) and -0.17 (95% CI -0.45 to 0.11) respectively. For improvement of abdominal pain, the SMDs at 2 and 3 months were 0.54 (95%CI 0.10 to 0.98) and 0.26 (95% CI 0.07 to 0.45) compared to usual care. The SMD from placebo at 3 months was 0.31 (95% CI -0.16 to 0.79). For improvement in quality of life, the SMD from usual care at 2 and 3 months was 0.47 (95%CI 0.11 to 0.84) and 0.31 (95%CI -0.16 to 0.77) respectively. Cognitive behavioural therapy The SMD for symptom score improvement at 2 and 3 months was 0.75 (95% CI -0.20 to 1.70) and 0.58 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.79) respectively compared to usual care. Against placebo, the SMDs were 0.68 (95% CI -0.01 to 1.36) and -0.17 (95% CI -0.45 to 0.11) respectively. For improvement of abdominal pain, the SMDs at 2 and 3 months were 0.45 (95% CI 0.00 to 0.91) and 0.22 (95% CI -0.04 to -0.49) compared to usual care. Against placebo the SMD at 3 months was 0.33 (95% CI -0.16 to 0.82). For improvement in quality of life, the SMDs at 2 and 3 months compared to usual care were 0.44 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.85) and 0.92 (95% CI 0.07 to 1.77) respectively.Interpersonal psychotherapy The RR for adequate relief of symptoms was 2.02 (95% CI 1.13 to 3.62), RD 0.30 (95% CI 0.13 to 0.46), NNT 4 for comparison with care as usual. The SMD for improvement of symptom score was 0.35 (95% CI -0.75 to 0.05) compared with usual care. Relaxation/Stress management The SMD in symptom score improvement at 2 months was 0.50 (95%CI 0.02 to 0.98) compared with usual care. The SMD in improvement of abdominal pain at 3 months was 0.02 (95%CI -0.56 to 0.61) compared with usual care. Long term results Very few long term follow-up results were available. There was no convincing evidence that treatment effects were sustained following completion of treatment for any treatment modality.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Psychological interventions may be slightly superior to usual care or waiting list control conditions at the end of treatment although the clinical significance of this is debatable. Except for a single study, these therapies are not superior to placebo and the sustainability of their effect is questionable. The meta-analysis was significantly limited by issues of validity, heterogeneity, small sample size and outcome definition. Future research should adhere to current recommendations for IBS treatment trials and should focus on the long-term effects of treatment.

The health value and cost of care for major depression

BACKGROUND

Trade-offs between costs and outcomes are a reality of health-care decisions. Cost-effectiveness analyses can guide choices toward interventions with the most health benefit for the least cost but are limited because generic measures of health value are infrequently available in the literature and are expensive to collect.

OBJECTIVE

We report on the application of a new approach to estimate the health value of alternative treatment patterns. We apply this approach to common treatment patterns for major depression, and we generate estimates of the change in health value that is attributable to a particular treatment. We also obtain estimates of treatment costs and report cost/health value ratios. We used a modified expert panel approach to estimate the change in health value attributable to different patterns of treatment. We used claims and pharmacy data to define usual care treatment patterns and estimate costs.

RESULTS

The lowest cost and most frequent treatment, 1 to 3 psychotherapy visits, produces minimal improvement. Treatments that include an antidepressant medication provide more health benefit per unit cost than all other treatments and adding a medication follow-up visit provides a lot of benefit for minimal cost.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrate the application of a new approach to estimate the health value of common depression treatment practices in the United States. Our results suggest cost-effective targets for quality improvement efforts by identifying ways in which treatment for depression could cost less to get to a given outcome. Because our approach uses a generic health outcome measure, it can be applied to other conditions, permitting comparisons of benefit across diseases.

Follow-up psychotherapy outcome of patients with dependent, avoidant and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders: A meta-analytic review

Assessing the number of patients who maintain their gains after the completion of therapy has been of interest to psychotherapy outcome researchers. The current study examines evidence related to the maintenance of treatment gains in individuals diagnosed with Cluster C personality disorders. Fifteen studies, published between 1982 and 2006, met the criteria for inclusion. The effect size standardized mean difference statistic was applied. In the majority of cases, most of the improvement occurred between pretreatment and posttreatment. However, social skills training often produced effect sizes that were larger for posttreatment follow-up. The study indicates that therapy gains are usually maintained at follow-up for Cluster C clients treated with cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic approaches as well as social skills training. Uncertainty remains whether DPD, AVPD or OCPD patients benefited most from therapy.

How much cognitive therapy, for which patients, will prevent depressive relapse?

BACKGROUND

Although clinicians accept that relapse is probable when successful acute phase pharmacotherapy is discontinued, less is known about when to stop versus continue successful cognitive therapy. This report describes the development of "translational tools" to bridge the gap between research and practice on this and similar decisions that practitioners make daily. We aim to provide patients, clinicians, and public health administrators' practical tools to facilitate informed decisions about when to stop versus continue cognitive therapy with responders who presented with recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD).

METHOD

Data are drawn from a randomized clinical trial [Jarrett, R.B., Kraft, D., Doyle, J., Foster, B.M., Eaves, G.G., Silver, P.C., 2001. Preventing recurrent depression using cognitive therapy with and without a continuation phase: a randomized clinical trial. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry, 58, 381-388] showing that continuation-phase cognitive therapy (C-CT; [Jarrett, R.B., 1989. Cognitive therapy for recurrent unipolar depressive disorder: The continuation/maintenance phase]) reduced relapse more over 8 months than an assessment-only control, for responders to acute phase cognitive therapy (A-CT; [Beck, A.T., Rush, A.J., Shaw, B.F., Emery, G., 1979. Cognitive therapy of depression. New York, Guilford Press]). We provide tools to translate the additional finding that, over 2 years, responders to A-CT for recurrent depression with higher residual symptoms were more likely to require C-CT to avoid relapse/recurrence than responders with lower or no residual symptoms.

RESULTS

To measure residual symptoms we provide the specific scores from six readily available measures of depressive symptom severity taken at the last acute phase session and their associated probabilities of relapse or recurrence over 8, 12, and 24 months.

CONCLUSIONS

These tools can aid individual patient and providers in making informed decisions when they decide to continue versus discontinue cognitive therapy.

LIMITATIONS

The results are limited to a 20-session trial of A-CT for recurrent depression conducted by highly experienced therapists and require replication.

The co-administration of quetiapine or placebo to cognitive-behavior therapy in treatment refractory depression: a preliminary trial

BACKGROUND

Patients with major depression refractory to repeated pharmacological trials (TRD) may remain symptomatic for many years after their index episode. Augmentation strategies (with lithium or an atypical antipsychotic) or combining an antidepressant with short-term psychotherapy have been used with relative success in these patients. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the concomitant administration of quetiapine, an atypical antipsychotic, or placebo, to cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) in TRD.

METHODS

Thirty-one patients who met entrance criteria for unipolar major depression (TRD stage II or greater) underwent 3 weeks of lithium augmentation after which non-responders (N = 22) were randomized to receive either quetiapine or placebo as an adjunct to their 12 weekly CBT sessions (quetiapine/CBT or placebo/CBT groups). Primary efficacy measures were the Hamilton and the Montgomery-Asberg rating scales for depression.

RESULTS

Overall, there was a significant reduction in both primary efficacy measure scores at LOCF for the 11 patients in the quetiapine/CBT group but not in the placebo/CBT treated patients. Patients in the quetiapine/CBT group, compared to those receiving placebo/CBT, showed a significantly greater degree of improvement on one primary and one secondary efficacy measure, were more likely to complete the trial and, completed a greater number of CBT sessions.

CONCLUSION

Although preliminary, our results suggest that the adjunctive administration of quetiapine to CBT may prove useful in the treatment of stage II TRD.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN12638696.

The Empirical Status of Psychodynamic Therapies

The goal of the current review is to examine the evidence for the efficacy of dynamic psychotherapy, primarily focusing on studies that meet the rigorous criteria proposed by Chambless & Hollon (1998). We examine whether any progress has been made over the past decade in evaluating the efficacy of dynamic psychotherapy using well-controlled randomized designs. Over the past decade, multiple studies have been published supporting the efficacy of dynamic psychotherapy for the treatment of specific mental disorders. Dynamic psychotherapy should now be included as a possibly efficacious treatment for panic disorder and borderline personality disorder, as well as the original designation of possibly efficacious in the treatment of opiate dependence. In the context of medication usage, dynamic psychotherapy should be considered efficacious in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Studies suggest that dynamic psychotherapy has great promise as a monotherapy for MDD and alcohol dependence and thus should be evaluated further.

Predictors of treatment response for depression and inadequate social support--the ENRICHD randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the 'dose' of treatment exposure, delivery of specific components of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), patient adherence and/or use of antidepressants predict favorable depression and social support outcomes after 6 months of cognitive behavioral treatment.

METHODS

Secondary analyses of the intervention arm of the Enhancing Recovery in Coronary Heart Disease (ENRICHD) clinical trial involving persons with acute myocardial infarction (MI): n = 641 for the depression outcomes and n = 523 for the social support outcomes. The outcome measures were, for depression: the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D); for social support: the ENRICHD Social Support Instrument (ESSI) and Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS).

RESULTS

Better depression outcomes (measured by the BDI) were receiving a high number of depression-specific intervention components, p < 0.01, and completing a high proportion of homework assignments, p < 0.02. Better depression outcomes (measured by the HAM-D) were receiving a high number of the social communication and assertiveness components of the intervention, p < 0.01, and completing a high proportion of homework assignments, p < 0.01. Better social support outcomes (measured by the ESSI and PSSS) were predicted by membership in a racial or ethnic minority group, p < 0.02 and p < 0.01, respectively; and by completing a higher number of homework assignments, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively. Delivery of the social communication and assertiveness components of the intervention was an independent predictor of a worse social support outcome, p < 0.01 (measured by the PSSS).

CONCLUSIONS

The standard components of CBT for depression are useful in treating comorbid depression in post-MI patients. Working on communication skills may help to improve depression but not necessarily social support outcomes in this patient population, while adherence to cognitive-behavioral homework assignments is important for both outcomes. Other components of the ENRICHD intervention that were designed to improve social support had no discernible effects on outcomes. Intervention refinements may be needed in order to achieve better results in future post-MI clinical trials. A greater emphasis on CBT homework adherence could improve both depression and social support outcomes.

Reducing relapse and recurrence in unipolar depression: a comparative meta-analysis of cognitive-behavioral therapy's effects

Relapse and recurrence following response to acute-phase treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) are prevalent and costly. In a meta-analysis of 28 studies including 1,880 adults, the authors reviewed the world's published literature on cognitive-behavioral therapies (CT) aimed at preventing relapse-recurrence in MDD. Results indicate that after discontinuation of acute-phase treatment, many responders to CT relapse-recur (29% within 1 year and 54% within 2 years). These rates appear comparable to those associated with other depression-specific psychotherapies but lower than those associated with pharmacotherapy. Among acute-phase treatment responders, continuation-phase CT reduced relapse-recurrence compared with assessment only at the end of continuation treatment (21% reduction) and at follow-up (29% reduction). Continuation-phase CT also reduced relapse-recurrence compared with other active continuation treatments at the end of continuation treatment (12% reduction) and at follow-up (14% reduction). The authors discuss implications for research and patient care and suggest directions, with methodological refinements, for future studies.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy: a systematic review of techniques, indications and empirical evidence

PURPOSE

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is one of the most frequently applied methods of psychotherapy in clinical practice. However, it is the subject of controversial discussion, especially with regard to empirical evidence. In this article we aim to give an up-to-date description of the treatment and to review the available empirical evidence. Evidence is reviewed for both efficacy and mechanisms of change of short- and moderate-term psychodynamic psychotherapy. Furthermore, results of effectiveness studies of long-term psychoanalytic therapy are reviewed.

METHODS

With regard to efficacy, a protocol for a Cochrane review for (short-term) psychodynamic psychotherapy is available specifying inclusion criteria for efficacy studies.

RESULTS

Twenty-three randomized controlled trials of manual-guided psychodynamic psychotherapy applied in specific psychiatric disorders provided evidence that psychodynamic psychotherapy is superior to control conditions (treatment-as-usual or wait list) and, on the whole, as effective as already established treatments (e.g. cognitive-behavioural therapy) in specific psychiatric disorders. With regard to process research, central assumptions of psychodynamic psychotherapy were confirmed by empirical studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Further research should include both efficacy studies (on specific forms of psychodynamic psychotherapy in specific mental disorders) and effectiveness studies complementing the results from experimental research settings. Future process research should address the complex interactions among interventions, patient's level of functioning, helping alliance and outcome.

Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapies for common mental disorders

BACKGROUND

Over the past 40 years, short-term psychodynamic psychotherapies (STPP) for a broad range of psychological and somatic disorders have been developed and studied. Four published meta-analyses of STPP, using different methods and samples, have found conflicting results.

OBJECTIVES

This review evaluated the efficacy of STPP relative to minimal treatment and non-treatment controls for adults with common mental disorders.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched CCDANCTR-Studies and CCDANCTR-References on 25/4/2005, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, DARE and Biological Abstracts were also searched. We contacted triallists and checked references from papers retrieved.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised controlled trials (RCT) of adults with common mental disorders, in which a brief psychodynamic therapy lasting less than 40 hours in total, and provided in individual format, were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Three reviewers working in pairs evaluated studies. Studies were selected only if pairs of reviewers agreed they met inclusion criteria. A third reviewer was consulted if two reviewers could not reach consensus. Data were collected and entered into Review Manager. Study quality was assessed and scored by pairs of raters. Publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot. Sensitivity analyses were also conducted.

MAIN RESULTS

23 studies of 1431 randomised patients with common mental disorders were included. These studies evaluated STPP for general, somatic, anxiety, and depressive symptom reduction, as well as social adjustment. Outcomes for most categories of disorder suggested significantly greater improvement in the treatment versus the control groups, which were generally maintained in medium and long term follow-up. However, only a small number of studies contributed data for each category of disorder, there was significant heterogeneity between studies, and results were not always maintained in sensitivity analyses.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

STPP shows promise, with modest to moderate, often sustained gains for a variety of patients. However, given the limited data and heterogeneity between studies, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Furthermore, variability in treatment delivery and treatment quality may limit the reliability of estimates of effect for STPP. Larger studies of higher quality and with specific diagnoses are warranted.

A Conversational Model of art therapy

This paper illustrates a 'Conversational Model' of art therapy. The Conversational Model was jointly created by Robert Hobson and Russell Meares. It is a developmental theory unique in its clinical application. The focus of the paper is two sessions that altered the course of therapy. In these sessions, variations on Donald Winnicott's "squiggle-game" and Hobson's "party game" were used to engage an isolative, reluctant incarcerated patient. The interventions illustrate the basic tenets of the Conversational Model. The theoretical process--from disruption to repair--is visually recorded in the artwork. The central argument of the paper is that interactive art therapy interventions can be effective, when used appropriately. By engaging the patient in a 'visual' conversation, he/she may develop an emotional vocabulary, a prerequisite for a psychotherapeutic conversation. The paper begins with a brief historical overview of the interface between art and psychoanalysis, the context out of which 'art therapy'--a distinct body of theory--evolved. Theory interweaves with clinical material in a narrative style. What I say and do in therapy is aimed at promoting understanding: a 'conversation', a meeting between two experiencing subjects (an I and a Thou), here and now, in such a way that learning can be effective in other relationships. If, as I believe, psychotherapy is a matter of promoting a personal dialogue, then we need to know how to receive, express, and share feeling: how to learn a language of the heart in its 'minute particulars'.

Psychological interventions for symptomatic management of non-specific chest pain in patients with normal coronary anatomy

BACKGROUND

Recurrent chest pain in the absence of coronary artery disease is a common problem that sometimes leads to excess use of medical care. Although many studies examine the causes of pain in these patients, few clinical trails have evaluated treatment. The studies reviewed in this paper provide an insight into the effectiveness of psychological interventions for this group of patients.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate psychological treatments for non-specific chest pain (NSCP) with normal coronary anatomy.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2002, Issue 3), MEDLINE (1966 to 2002), CINAHL (1982 to 2002) EMBASE (1980 to 2002), PSYCH Info (1887 to 2002), the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE) and Biological Abstracts (January 1980 to 2002). We also searched citation lists and approached authors.

SELECTION CRITERIA

RCTs with standardised outcome methodology that tested any form of psychotherapy for chest pain with normal anatomy. Diagnoses included non-specific chest pain, atypical chest pain, syndrome X, or chest pain with normal coronary anatomy (as either inpatients or outpatients).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently selected studies for inclusion, extracted data and assessed quality of studies. The authors contacted trial authors for further information about the RCTs included.

MAIN RESULTS

Eight studies involving 403 randomised participants were included. There was a significant reduction in reports of chest pain in the first three months following the intervention; fixed effects relative risk = 0.68 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.81). This was maintained from 3 to 9 months afterwards; relative risk = 0.58 (95% CI 0.45 to 0.76). There was also a significant increase in the number of chest pain free days up to three months following the intervention; the standardized mean difference = 0.85 (95% CI 0.38 to 1.31). However, there was high heterogeneity for this test. Wide variability in outcome measures made integration of studies for secondary outcome measures difficult.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Review suggested a modest to moderate benefit for psychological interventions, particularly those using a cognitive-behavioural framework, which was largely restricted to the first three months after the intervention. The evidence for brief interventions was less clear. Further RCTs of psychological interventions for NSCP with follow-up periods of at least 12 months are needed.

Psychodynamic psychotherapies: Evidence-based practice and clinical wisdom

This article is based on an exhaustive review of the psychotherapy outcomes literature, undertaken originally at the instigation of the UK Department of Health by Roth and Fonagy (Department of Health, 1995). We have recently updated this review (Fonagy, Target, Cottrell, Phillips, & Kurtz, 2002; Roth & Fonagy, 2004) and extended it to identify all studies of psychoanalytic psychotherapy. The usual methods for identifying studies were employed (Fonagy, Target, et al., 2002; Roth & Fonagy, in press). The key questions that should be asked of this literature given the current state of research in this area (also see Westen, Morrison, & Thompson-Brenner, 2004) are: Are there any disorders for which short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) can be considered evidence-based, Are there any disorders for which STPP is uniquely effective as either the only evidence-based treatment or as a treatment that is more effective than alternatives, and Is there any evidence base for long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (LTPP) either in terms of achieving effects not normally associated with short-term treatment or addressing problems that have not been addressed by STPP? In this context, short-term therapy is conceived of as a treatment of around 20 sessions delivered usually once weekly.

Predictors of outcome following brief psychodynamic-interpersonal therapy for deliberate self-poisoning

BACKGROUND

We found that brief psychodynamic-interpersonal therapy was more helpful than usual care in deliberate self-poisoning patients, and resulted in reduced suicidal ideation and repetition of self-harm in the 6 months post-treatment. Here, we explore which baseline factors predicted outcome following treatment.

METHOD

Patients presenting to an emergency department with deliberate self-poisoning were randomly assigned to brief psychodynamic-interpersonal therapy (PIT) or usual care. Severity of suicidal ideation 6 months post-treatment was used as the main outcome measure. Sociodemographic features and baseline psychological measures were used as predictor variables. Univariate and regression analyses were used to identify predictors of outcome for the whole group and for those who received psychotherapy.

RESULTS

Principal predictors for the psychotherapy group were baseline severity of depression and a prior history of self-harm. For the group as a whole predictors were severity of suicidal ideation, anxiety and prior history of self-harm.

CONCLUSIONS

Four session PIT for deliberate self-poisoning is effective in reducing suicidal ideation in patients with less severe depression, no prior history of self-harm, and who have not consumed alcohol with the overdose. Extended therapy may be indicated for those with more severe depression.