Empirical Studies Bibliography
The Psychotherapy Research Project of the Menninger Foundation: An Overview
Title: The Psychotherapy Research Project of the Menninger Foundation: An Overview
Author: Wallerstein, Robert S.
Source: J Consult Clin Psychol. 1989 Apr;57(2):195-205.
Abstract: Studied processes and outcomes of psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy, both expressive and supportive. 42 Ss were followed via initial, termination, and follow-up studies over the entire natural course of treatment, with 100% follow-up 2-3 years post-termination. Some follow-ups extended over the 30-year life span of the study. Detailed case histories and life histories were obtained from all 42 Ss.Psychoanalyses achieved more limited outcomes than predicted; psychotherapies often achieved more than predicted. Supportive mechanisms infiltrated all therapies, psychoanalyses included, and accounted for more of the achieved outcomes (including structural changes) than anticipated. An expanded new categorization of supportive therapeutic mechanisms is proposed, along with an elaboration of expressive therapeutic mechanisms.
Follow-up of Psychoanalysis Five to Ten Years after Termination: III. The Relation between the Resolution of the Transference and the Patient-Analyst Match
Title: Follow-up of Psychoanalysis Five to Ten Years after Termination: III. The Relation between the Resolution of the Transference and the Patient-Analyst Match
Author: Kantrowitz, Judy; Katz, Ann L.; and Paolitto, Frank
Source: J Am Psychoanal Assoc. 1990;38(3):655-78
Abstract: As part of a long-term follow-up study of the outcome of psychoanalysis, we examined the relation between the extent of resolution of the transference at termination and the characteristics of the patient-analyst match. For twelve of the seventeen patients interviewed five to ten years after termination of psychoanalysis, the researchers found that the patient-analyst match played a role in the outcome of the analysis. Illustrations of the influence of the match in cases where the transference was resolved and those where it was not are presented.
Studies on the Efficacy of Child Psychoanalysis
Title: Studies on the Efficacy of Child Psychoanalysis
Author: Fonagy, Peter and Moran, George S.
Source: J Consult Clin Psychol. 1990 Dec;58(6):684-95
Abstract: This article summarizes three studies that evaluated the psychoanalytic psychotherapeutic treatment of diabetic children and adolescents with grossly abnormal blood glucose profiles necessitating repeated admissions to hospital. Study 1 used time series analysis to demonstrate that improvements in control were predicted by unconscious themes emerging in the analytic material. Study 2 compared the effect of psychotherapeutic treatment with that of minimal psychological intervention in 2well-matched groups (n = 11). Patients in the treatment group were offered psychoanalytic psychotherapy 3-4 times per week on the hospital ward. The intervention was highly effective in improving the diabetic control of the children, and this improvement was maintained at 1-yr follow-up. Study 3 used single-case experimental design to demonstrate the marked effect of psychotherapeutic help on growth in diabetic children with short stature.
The Differential Effect of Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis with Anaclitic and Introjective Patients: The Menninger Psychotherapy Research Project Revisited
Title: The Differential Effect of Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis with Anaclitic and Introjective Patients: The Menninger Psychotherapy Research Project Revisited
Author: Blatt, Sidney J.
Source: J Am Psychoanal Assoc. 1992;40(3):691-724.
Abstract: Analyses of the data from the Menninger Psychotherapy Research Project (MPRP) have consistently indicated little difference in the therapeutic outcome between patients seen in psychoanalysis and those seen in psychotherapy. Reanalysis of the data from the MPRP, utilizing a distinction between two broad configurations of psychopathology (Blatt, 1974),(1990a), (Blatt and Shichman, 1983), however, indicates that patients whose pathology focuses primarily on disruptions of interpersonal relatedness and who use primarily avoidant defenses (anaclitic patients), and patients whose pathology focuses primarily on issues of self-definition, autonomy, and self-worth and who use primarily counteractive defenses (introjective patients)differ in their responsiveness to psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. Based on recently developed procedures for systematically evaluating the quality of object representation on the Rorschach, reanalysis of the Menninger data reveals that anaclitic patients have significantly greater positive change in psychotherapy, while introjective patients have significantly greater positive change in psychoanalysis. These statistically significant patient-by-treatment interactions are discussed in terms of their clinical implications as well as the importance of differentiating among types of patients in studies of therapeutic outcome and of therapeutic process.
The Efficacy of Psychoanalysis for Children with Emotional Disorders
Title: The Efficacy of Psychoanalysis for Children with Emotional Disorders
Author: Target, M. and Fonagy, P.
Source: The Efficacy of Psychoanalysis for Children with Emotional Disorders
Abstract: Objective: This is the second report from a chart review of 763 cases of child psychoanalysis and psychotherapy at the Anna Freud Centre.
METHOD: Three hundred fifty-two children and adolescents were identified who met DSM-III-R criteria for emotional disorders or who had sleep or somatoform symptoms with marked emotional disturbance. Two hundred fifty-four were treated in full psychoanalysis, the remainder one to three times per week, for an average of 2 years. Outcome was indicated by diagnostic change and by change in overall adaptation, measured by theChildren’s Global Assessment Scale (CGAS).
RESULTS: Of those treated for at least 6 months, 72% showed reliable improvement in adaptation, 24% still had some diagnosis at termination, and 15% still had an emotional disorder. Simple phobias were most likely to remit, and depressed children were least likely to return to normal CGAS levels. Children younger than 11 years were considerably more likely to be well at the end of treatment. Intensive treatment generally led to greater improvements, independently of age and treatment length. Certain disorders, and more severe pathology, required intensive treatment; 50% of severe cases showed no improvement in psychotherapy. Thirty-one percent of variance in CGAS change could be predicted, and greater than 50% when diagnostic groupings were examined separately.
CONCLUSION: Despite methodological limitations, the study identifies predictors of improvement (e.g., younger age, phobic symptoms, intensity and length of treatment) and shows that severe or pervasive pathology requires intensive analytic help.
Effectiveness of Partial Hospitalization in the Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Title: Effectiveness of Partial Hospitalization in the Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Author:Bateman, Anthony and Fonagy, Peter
Source: Am J Psychiatry. 1999 Oct;156(10):1563-9.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study compared the effectiveness of psychoanalytically oriented partial hospitalization with standard psychiatric care for patients with borderline personality disorder.
METHOD:Thirty-eight patients with borderline personality disorder, diagnosed according to standardized criteria, were allocated either to a partially hospitalized group or to a standard psychiatric care (control) group in a randomized controlled design. Treatment, which included individual and group psychoanalytic psychotherapy, was for a maximum of 18 months. Outcome measures included the frequency of suicide attempts and acts of self-harm, the number and duration of inpatient admissions, the use of psychotropic medication, and self-report measures of depression, anxiety, general symptom distress, interpersonal function, and social adjustment. Data analysis used repeated measures analysis of covariance and nonparametric tests of trend.
RESULTS: Patients who were partially hospitalized showed a statistically significant decrease on all measures in contrast to the control group, which showed limited change or deterioration over the same period. An improvement in depressive symptoms, a decrease in suicidal and self-mutilatory acts, reduced inpatient days, and better social and interpersonal function began at 6 months and continued until the end of treatment at 18 months.
CONCLUSIONS: Psychoanalytically oriented partial hospitalization is superior to standard psychiatric care for patients with borderline personality disorder. Replication is needed with larger groups, but these results suggest that partial hospitalization may offer an alternative to inpatient treatment.
Varieties of Long-Term Outcome among Patients in Psychoanalysis and Long-Term Psychotherapy: A Review of Findings in the Stockholm Outcome of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy Project (Stoppp)
Title: Varieties of Long-Term Outcome among Patients in Psychoanalysis and Long-Term Psychotherapy: A Review of Findings in the Stockholm Outcome of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy Project (Stoppp)
Author: Blomberg, Johan; Broberg, Jeanette; Carlsonn, Jan;Lazar, Anna; Sandell, Rolf; and Schubert, Johan
Source: Int J Psychoanal. 2000 Oct; 81 ( Pt 5):921-42.
Abstract: This paper reports the main findings of a large-scale study of subsidized psychoanalysis and long-term psychotherapy. More than 400 people in various phases, before, during and after subsidized psychoanalysis or long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy, were followed up for a period of three years with personal interviews, questionnaires and official statistics. Our analyses revealed progressive improvement the longer patients were in treatment—impressively strong among patients in psychoanalysis—on self-rating measures of symptom distress and morale. Improvement, however, was equally weak in both groups on a self-rating measure of social relations. Dosage factors(treatment duration and session frequency in combination) partly accounted for the outcome differences between those referred to psychoanalysis and those referred to long-term psychotherapy. Attitudes and ideals among therapists and analysts concerning the goals and means of psychotherapy were also associated with patient outcome, although in rather complex ways. A significant part of the outcome differences between patients in psychoanalysis and in psychotherapy could be explained by the adoption, in a large group of therapists, of orthodox psychoanalytic attitudes that seemed to be counterproductive in the practice of psychotherapy but not in psychoanalysis. It is suggested that this effect may be a negative transfer of the psychoanalytic stance into psychotherapeutic practice and that this may be especially pronounced when the attitudes are not backed up by psychoanalytic training.
The Cost-Effectiveness of Psychotherapy and Paroxetine for Severe Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Title: The Cost-Effectiveness of Psychotherapy and Paroxetine for Severe Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Author: Creed, F.; Fernandes, L.; Guthrie, E.;Palmer, S.; Ratcliffe, J.; Read, N.; et al.
Source: Gastroenterology, 124(2), 303-317, 2003
Abstract: BACKGROUND & AIMS: Psychotherapy and antidepressants are effective in patients with severe irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but the cost-effectiveness of either treatment in routine practice has not been established.
METHODS: Patients with severe IBS were randomly allocated to receive 8 sessions of individual psychotherapy, 20 mg daily of the specific serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant, paroxetine, or routine care by a gastroenterologist and general practitioner. Primary outcome measures of abdominal pain, health-related quality of life, and health care costs were determined after 3 months of treatment and 1 year later.
RESULTS: A total of 257 subjects (81% response rate) from 7 hospitals were recruited; 59 of 85 patients (69%) randomized to psychotherapy and 43 of 86 (50%) of the paroxetine group completed the full course of treatment. Both psychotherapy and paroxetine were superior to treatment as usual in improving the physical aspects of health-related quality of life (SF-36 physical component score improvement, 5.2 [SEM, 1.26], 5.8 [SEM, 1.0], and -0.3 [SEM, 1.17]; P < 0.001), but there was no difference in the psychological component. During the follow-up year, psychotherapy but not paroxetinewas associated with a significant reduction in health care costs compared with treatment as usual (psychotherapy, $976 [SD, $984]; paroxetine, $1252 [SD, $1616]; and treatment as usual, $1663 [SD, $3177]).
CONCLUSIONS: For patients with severe IBS, both psychotherapy and paroxetine improve health-related quality of life at no additional cost
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Title: How to Study the ‘Quality of Psychoanalytic Treatments’ and Their Long-Term Effects on Patients’ Well-Being: Representative,Multi-Perspective Follow-Up Study
Author: Beutel, Manfred;Leuzinger-Bohleber, Marianne; Rüger, Bernhard; and Stuhrast, Ulrich
Source: Int J Psychoanal. 2003 Apr;84(Pt 2):263-90.
Abstract: How can we study the ‘quality of psychoanalytic treatments’? The authors attempt to answer this question by discussing a naturalistic, multi-perspective and representative follow-up study of psychoanalyses and long-term psychoanalytic psychotherapies. We studied a representative sample (n = 401) of all the patients who had terminated their psychoanalytic treatments with members of the German Psychoanalytical Association (DPV) between 1990 and 1993. Between 70 and 80 per cent of the patients achieved (average 6.5 years after the end of treatment) good and stable psychic changes according to the evaluations of the patients themselves, their analysts, independent psychoanalytic and non-psychoanalytic experts, and questionnaires commonly applied in psychotherapy research. The evaluation of mental health costs showed a cost reduction through fewer days of sick leave during the seven years following the end of long-term psychoanalytic treatments.The results achieved using non-psychoanalytical instruments are complemented by the richness of the idiosyncratic findings, gained by the psychoanalytic research instruments.
Toggle TitleThe Personality Disorders Institute/Borderline Personality Disorder Research Foundation Randomized Control Trial for Borderline Personality Disorder: Rationale, Methods, and Patient Characteristics
Title: The Personality Disorders Institute/Borderline Personality Disorder Research Foundation Randomized Control Trial for Borderline Personality Disorder: Rationale, Methods, and Patient Characteristics
Author: Clarkin, John F.; Kernberg, Otto F.; Lenzenweger, Mark F.; and Raymond Levy, PsyD; Levy, Kenneth N.
Source: J Pers Disord. 2004 Feb;18(1):52-72.
Abstract: The Personality Disorder Institute/Borderline Personality Disorder Research Foundation randomized control trial (PDI/BPDRF RCT) is a controlled outcome study for borderline personality disorder (BPD) in which 90 participants were randomized to one of three manualized and monitored, active psychosocial treatment conditions. These treatments are: (a) Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP; Clarkin, Yeomans, & Kernberg, 1999), a treatment for BPD based on object-relational and psychoanalytic principles first applied to BPD by Kernberg (1996), notable for its particular emphasis on interpretation of object relations activated in the ongoing therapeutic relationship; (b) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT; Linehan, 1993), a popular treatment for BPD, with evidence of efficacy (Linehan, Armstrong, Suarez, Allmon, & Heard, 1991)that emphasizes a balance between acceptance and change in its combination of cognitive-behavioral and Zen principles; and (c) supportive psychotherapy(Rockland, 1992), another object-relational and psychoanalytically basedtreatment for BPD which, in contrast to TFP, eschews transference interpretational places primary emphasis on development of a collaborative engagement with the patient to foster identity development.
Patients received medication, if clearly indicated, according to the treatment algorithm developed by Soloff (2000). This article describes the significance and rationale of the study and the overall design, methods, plan of analysis, and demographic characteristics of the recruited sample of patients.
A Randomized Trial of the Effect of Four Forms of Psychotherapy on Depressive and Anxiety Disorders
Title: A Randomized Trial of the Effect of Four Forms of Psychotherapy on Depressive and Anxiety Disorders
Author: Knekt, P. and Lindfors, O., eds.
Source: KELA. The Social Insurance Institution, Finland, Studies in social security and health 77
Abstract: The Helsinki Psychotherapy Study (HPS) is a randomized clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of four forms of psychotherapy in the treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders. A total of 367 Finnish psychiatric outpatients from the Helsinki region, 20-46 years of age and suffering from depressive or anxiety disorders, were recruited fi the study on 1994-2000. A total of 326 patients were randomly assigned to one of 3 treatment groups: solution-focused therapy, short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy, and long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy. The patients assigned to the long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy group and 41 patients self-selected for psychoanalysis were included in a quasi-experimental design. The primary outcome measures were depressive and anxiety symptoms, while secondary measures included work ability, need for treatment, personality functions, social functioning, and life style. Cost-effectiveness was determined. The data were collected from interviews, questionnaires, psychological tests and public health registers. The outcome measures were assessed up to 9 times during a 5-year follow-up. Patients on short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy and solution-focused psychotherapy showed considerable decline in depressive and anxiety symptoms during the first year of follow-up, whereas work ability, personal functions and social functioning were only slightly improved. The result did not differ between the 2 forms of therapy; both types are thus effective in the treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders but for the majority of patients they are not sufficient in producing recovery, longer follow-ups are needed to evaluate the duration of treatment effects in the 2 groups. The HPS is one of the largest clinical trials on the effect of psychotherapy in the treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders. The results are likely to be incorporated into clinical practice and to impact public health.
The Göttingen Study of Psychoanalytic Therapy: First Results
Title: The Göttingen Study of Psychoanalytic Therapy: First Results
Author: Biskup, Joachim; Kreische, Reinhard; Leichsenring, Falk; and Staats, Hermann
Source: Int J Psychoanal. 2005 Apr;86(Pt 2):433-55.
Abstract: Results of a naturalistic study of the effectiveness of psychoanalytic therapy are reported. Outcome data are presented for a sample of N = 36 patients who were treated with psychoanalytic therapy. For a sample of n = 23 of these patients, data for1-year follow-up are available at present. According to the results, psychoanalytic therapy yielded significant improvements in symptoms (Symptom Checklist 90-R, SCL-90-R and rating of psychoanalysts), in interpersonal problems (Inventory of Interpersonal Problems, IIP), in quality of life(Questionnaire of Quality of Life, FLZ), in well-being (Questionnaire of Changes in Experience and Behaviour, VEV) and in target problems defined by the patients(Goal Attainment Scaling, GAS). Large effect sizes between 1.28 and 2.48 were found in symptoms (GSI of the SCL-90-R), interpersonal problems (IIP-total), quality of life (FLZ-total), well-being (VEV) and target problems (GAS). At1-year follow-up, all improvements proved to be stable or even increased. The self-reported improvements in symptoms were corroborated by the ratings of the psychoanalysts. At the end of therapy, 77% of the patients showed clinically significant improvements. In the 1-year follow-up group, this was true for 80%.Further results are presented and discussed.
Manualized Supportive-Expressive Psychotherapy versus Non manualized Community-Delivered Psychodynamic Therapy for Patients with Personality Disorders: Bridging Efficacy and Effectiveness
Title: Manualized Supportive-Expressive Psychotherapy versus Non manualized Community-Delivered Psychodynamic Therapy for Patients with Personality Disorders: Bridging Efficacy and Effectiveness
Author: Barber, Jacques P.; Gallop, Robert; Norén, Kristina;Vinnars, Bo; and Weinryb, Robert M.
Source: Am J Psychiatry. 2005 Oct;162(10):1933-40.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Time-limited manualized dynamic psychotherapy was compared with community-delivered psychodynamic therapy for outpatients with personality disorders.
METHOD: In a stratified randomized clinical trial, 156patients with any personality disorder diagnosis were randomly assigned either to 40 sessions of supportive-expressive psychotherapy (N=80) or to community-delivered psychodynamic therapy (N=76). Assessments were made at intake and 1 and 2 years after intake. Patients were recruited consecutively from two community mental health centers (CMHCs), assessed with the Structural Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Personality Disorders, and included if they had a diagnosis of any DSM-IV personality disorder. The outcome measures included the presence of a personality disorder diagnosis, personality disorder severity index, level of psychiatric symptoms (SCL-90), Global Assessment of Functioning Scale score, and number of therapy sessions. General mixed-model analysis of variance was used to assess group and time effects.
RESULTS:In both treatment conditions, the global level of functioning improved while there were decreases in the prevalence of patients fulfilling criteria for a personality disorder diagnosis, personality disorder severity, and psychiatric symptoms. There was no difference in effect between treatments. During the follow-up period, patients who received supportive-expressive psychotherapy made significantly fewer visits to the CMHCs than the patients who received community-delivered psychodynamic therapy.
CONCLUSIONS: Manualized supportive-expressive psychotherapy was as effective as non manualized community-delivered psychodynamic therapy conducted by experienced dynamic clinicians.
Assessing Personality Change in Psychotherapy with the SWAP–200: A Case Study
Title: Assessing Personality Change in Psychotherapy with the SWAP–200: A Case Study
Author: Gazzillo, Francesco; Lingiardi, Vittorio; and Shedler, Jonathan
Source: J Pers Assess. 2006 Feb;86(1):23-32.
Abstract: Many studies document the efficacy of psychotherapy for acute syndromes such as depression, but less is known about personality change in patients treated for personality pathology. The Shedler–Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP–200; Westen & Shedler, 1999a, 1999b) is an assessment tool that measures a broad spectrum of personality constructs and is designed to bridge the gap between the clinical and empirical traditions in personality assessment. In this article, we demonstrate the use of the SWAP–200 as a measure of change in a case study of a patient diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. We collected assessment data at the start of treatment and after 2 years of psychotherapy. The findings illustrate the personality processes targeted in intensive psychotherapy for borderline personality.
A Programmatic Study of Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Assessment, Process, Outcome, and Training
Title: A Programmatic Study of Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Assessment, Process, Outcome, and Training
Author: Hilsenroth, Mark J.
Source: Psychotherapy Research 01/2007; 17(1):31-45.
Abstract: The author reviews findings from his research program on short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy. A hybrid model of psychotherapy research is outlined that integrates efficacy and effectiveness methodology to examine interrelated issues regarding: (a) psychological assessment, (b) psychotherapy process, (c) treatment outcome, and (d) training of graduate clinicians. The integration of applied clinical research initiatives into a doctoral training program, clinical implications, and directions for future research are also presented.
Change in Attachment Patterns and Reflective Function in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Transference Focused Psychotherapy for Borderline Personality Disorder
Title: Change in Attachment Patterns and Reflective Function in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Transference Focused Psychotherapy for Borderline Personality Disorder
Author: Clarkin, J. F.; Kelly, K. M.; Kernberg, O. F.; Levy, K. N.; Meehan, K. B.; Reynoso, J. S.; and Weber, M.
Source: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(6):1027-1040.
Abstract: Changes in attachment organization and reflective function (RF) were assessed as putative mechanisms of change in 1 of 3 year-long psychotherapy treatments for patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Ninety patients reliably diagnosed with BPD were randomized to transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP), dialectical behavior therapy, or a modified psychodynamic supportive psychotherapy. Attachment organization was assessed with the Adult Attachment Interview and the RF coding scale. After 12 months of treatment, participants showed a significant increase in the number classified secure with respect to attachment state of mind for TFP but not for the other 2 treatments. Significant changes in narrative coherence and RF were found as a function of treatment, with TFP showing increases in both constructs during treatment. No changes in resolution of loss or trauma were observed across treatments. Findings suggest that 1 year of intensive TFP can increase patients’ narrative coherence and RF. Future research should establish the relationship between these 2 constructs and relevant psychopathology, identify treatment component
A randomized controlled clinical trial of pychoanalytic psychotherapy for panic disorder.
Title: A randomized controlled clinical trial of pychoanalytic psychotherapy for panic disorder.
Author: Busch, F.; Clarkin, J.; Leon, A. C.; Milrod, B.; Rudden, M.; Schwalberg, M.; et al.
Source: American Journal of Psychiatry, 164 (2):265-272.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy relative to applied relaxation training, a credible psychotherapy comparison condition. Des- pite the widespread clinical use of psychodynamic psychotherapies, randomized controlled clinical trials evaluating such psychotherapies for axis I disorders have lagged. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first efficacy randomized controlled clinical trial of panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy, a manualized psychoanalytical psychotherapy for patients with DSM-IV panic disorder.
METHOD: This was a randomized controlled clinical trial of subjects with primary DSM-IV panic disorder. Participants were recruited over 5 years in the New York City metropolitan area. Subjects were 49 adults ages 18–55 with primary DSM-IV panic disorder. All subjects received assigned treatment, panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy or applied relaxation training in twice-weekly sessions for 12 weeks. The Panic Disorder Severity Scale, rated by blinded independent evaluators, was the primary outcome measure.
RESULTS: Subjects in panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy had significantly greater reduction in severity of panic symptoms. Furthermore, those receiving panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy were significantly more likely to respond at treatment termination (73% versus 39%), using the Multicenter Panic Disorder Study response criteria. The secondary outcome, change in psychosocial functioning, mirrored these results.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite the small cohort size of this trial, it has demonstrated preliminary efficacy of panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy for panic disorder.
Short-Term Dynamically Oriented Psychotherapy: A Review and Meta-Analysis
Title: Short-Term Dynamically Oriented Psychotherapy: A Review and Meta-Analysis
Author: Anderson, Edward M. and Lambert, Michael J.
Source: Clinical Psychology Review Volume 15, Issue 6, 1995, Pages 503–514
Abstract: Twenty-six studies of the effectiveness of short-term dynamic therapy (STDT) were subjected to two meta-analyses. Effect sizes (ES) obtained by each method were similar. STDT attained average ESs of 71 and 34, relative to wait list and minimal treatment groups, respectively. When studies using psychosomatic patients were excluded, STDT achieved an ES of 85, relative to wait list groups. We found no evidence that STDT is superior or inferior to other forms of psychotherapy at post-treatment, although it evidenced a slight superiority at long-term follow-up assessment. There was, in addition, evidence that studies employing manuals or therapists trained in STDT produced larger ESs than those that did not.
Does Psychoanalysis Work?
Title: Does Psychoanalysis Work?
Author: Bachrach, H.; Galatzer-Levy, R.M.; Skolnikoff, A.; and Waldron, Jr., S.
Source: New Haven, Yale University Press, 2000
Abstract: A thorough survey of every major study of the efficacy of psychoanalytic treatment. The authors — all well-known psychoanalysts — critically analyze the studies and their findings, discuss the issues that have been and should be explored in such studies, and examine the problems in conducting research into psychoanalytic outcomes.
The authors begin by providing a definition of psychoanalysis, establishing central psychoanalytic goals, and determining what questions need to be addressed in assessing whether analysis is effective. They then describe their methods and criteria for evaluating modern research on psychoanalytic outcome and apply these criteria to four major studies of adult psychoanalytic patients, several studies of child and adolescent analysis, and some small-group studies. They find that all the studies show that psychoanalysis is an effective treatment for many patients — and that some cherished assumptions about psychoanalysis are probably wrong. In the final part of the book, the authors address the challenges of collecting empirical data on psychoanalysis and explore the possibilities inherent in the single-case study.
Does Psychoanalysis Work?
Title: Does Psychoanalysis Work?
Author: Bachrach, H.; Galatzer-Levy, R.M.; Skolnikoff, A.; and Waldron, Jr., S.
Source: New Haven, Yale University Press, 2000
Abstract: A thorough survey of every major study of the efficacy of psychoanalytic treatment. The authors — all well-known psychoanalysts — critically analyze the studies and their findings, discuss the issues that have been and should be explored in such studies, and examine the problems in conducting research into psychoanalytic outcomes.
The authors begin by providing a definition of psychoanalysis, establishing central psychoanalytic goals, and determining what questions need to be addressed in assessing whether analysis is effective. They then describe their methods and criteria for evaluating modern research on psychoanalytic outcome and apply these criteria to four major studies of adult psychoanalytic patients, several studies of child and adolescent analysis, and some small-group studies. They find that all the studies show that psychoanalysis is an effective treatment for many patients — and that some cherished assumptions about psychoanalysis are probably wrong. In the final part of the book, the authors address the challenges of collecting empirical data on psychoanalysis and explore the possibilities inherent in the single-case study.
An Open Door Review of Outcome Studies in Psychoanalysis (Second Edition)
Title: An Open Door Review of Outcome Studies in Psychoanalysis (Second Edition)
Author: Allison,E.; Clarkin, J.; Fonagy, P.; Gerber, A.; Jones, E.E.; Kächele, H.; Krause, R.; and Perron, R.
Source: London, International Psychoanalytic Association, 2001(download or order via http://eseries.ipa.org.uk/prev/research/R-outcome.htm)
Comparative Effects of Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Depression: A Meta-Analytic Approach
Title: Comparative Effects of Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Depression: A Meta-Analytic Approach
Author: Leichsenring, Falk
Source: Clin Psychol Rev. 2001 Apr;21(3):401-19.
Abstract: This article reviews the efficacy of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) in depression compared to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or behavioral therapy (BT). In this review, only studies in which at least 13 therapy sessions were performed have been included, and a sufficient number of patients per group were treated (N ? 20).With regard to outcome criteria, the results were reviewed for improvements in depressive symptoms, general psychiatric symptoms, and social functioning. Six studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: In 58 of the 60 comparisons (97%)performed in the six studies and their follow-ups, no significant difference could be detected between STPP and CBT/BT concerning the effects in depressive symptoms, general psychiatric symptomatology, and social functioning.Furthermore, STPP and CBT/BT did not differ significantly with regard to the patients that were judged as remitted or improved. According to a meta-analytic procedure described by R. Resentful (1991) the studies do not differ significantly with regard to the patients that were judged as remitted or improved after treatment with STPP or CBT/BT. The mean difference between STPP and CBT/BT concerning the number of patients that were judged as remitted or improved corresponds to a small effect size (post-assessment: ? = 0.08,follow-up assessment: ? = 0.12). Thus, STPP and CBT/BT seem to be equally effective methods in the treatment of depression. However, because of the small number of studies which met the inclusion criteria, this result can only be preliminary. Furthermore, it applies only to the specific forms of STPP that were examined in the selected studies and cannot be generalized to other forms of STPP. Further studies are needed to examine the effects of specific forms of STPP in both controlled and naturalistic settings. Furthermore, there are findings indicating that 16–20 sessions of both STPP and CBT/BT are insufficient for most patients to achieve lasting remission. Future studies should address the effects of longer treatments of depression.
