Ellen Driessen1, Lisa M Hegelmaier2, Allan A Abbass3, Jacques P Barber4, Jack J M Dekker5, Henricus L Van6, Elise P Jansma7, Pim Cuijpers8. 1. VU University Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Psychology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University and VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: e.driessen@vu.nl. 2. VU University Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Psychology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 3. Dalhousie University, Centre for Emotions and Health, Halifax, NS, Canada. 4. Adelphi University, The Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, NY, USA. 5. VU University Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Psychology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Arkin Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 6. Arkin Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 7. VU University Amsterdam, University Library, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 8. VU University Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Psychology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University and VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The efficacy of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) for depression is debated. Recently, a number of large-scale and high-quality studies have been conducted. We examined the efficacy of STPP by updating our 2010 meta-analysis. RESULTS: After a thorough literature search, 54 studies (33 randomized clinical trials) totaling 3946 subjects were included. STPP was significantly more effective than control conditions at post-treatment on depression, general psychopathology and quality of life measures (d=0.49 to 0.69). STPP pre-treatment to post-treatment changes (d=0.57 to 1.18) indicated significant improvements on all outcome measures, which either significantly improved further (d=0.20 to 1.04) or were maintained from post-treatment to follow-up. No significant differences were found between individual STPP and other psychotherapies at post-treatment (d=-0.14) and follow-up (d=-0.06) in analyses that were adequately powered to detect a clinically relevant difference. STPP was significantly more efficacious than other psychotherapies on anxiety measures at both post-treatment (d=0.35) and follow-up (d=0.76). CONCLUSION: We found clear indications that STPP is effective in the treatment of depression in adults. Although more high-quality studies are needed, particularly to assess the efficacy of STPP compared to control conditions at follow-up and to antidepressants, these findings add to the evidence-base of STPP for depression.
OBJECTIVES: The efficacy of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) for depression is debated. Recently, a number of large-scale and high-quality studies have been conducted. We examined the efficacy of STPP by updating our 2010 meta-analysis. RESULTS: After a thorough literature search, 54 studies (33 randomized clinical trials) totaling 3946 subjects were included. STPP was significantly more effective than control conditions at post-treatment on depression, general psychopathology and quality of life measures (d=0.49 to 0.69). STPP pre-treatment to post-treatment changes (d=0.57 to 1.18) indicated significant improvements on all outcome measures, which either significantly improved further (d=0.20 to 1.04) or were maintained from post-treatment to follow-up. No significant differences were found between individual STPP and other psychotherapies at post-treatment (d=-0.14) and follow-up (d=-0.06) in analyses that were adequately powered to detect a clinically relevant difference. STPP was significantly more efficacious than other psychotherapies on anxiety measures at both post-treatment (d=0.35) and follow-up (d=0.76). CONCLUSION: We found clear indications that STPP is effective in the treatment of depression in adults. Although more high-quality studies are needed, particularly to assess the efficacy of STPP compared to control conditions at follow-up and to antidepressants, these findings add to the evidence-base of STPP for depression.
Authors: Sagar V Parikh; Lena Quilty; Paula Ravitz; Michael Rosenbluth; Barbara Pavlova; Sophie Grigoriadis; Vytas Velyvis; Rudolf Uher; Sidney H Kennedy; Raymond W Lam; Glenda M MacQueen; Roumen Milev; Arun V Ravindran Journal: Can J Psychiatry Date: 2017-01 Impact factor: 4.356
Authors: Sagar V Parikh; Lena C Quilty; Paula Ravitz; Michael Rosenbluth; Barbara Pavlova; Sophie Grigoriadis; Vytas Velyvis; Sidney H Kennedy; Raymond W Lam; Glenda M MacQueen; Roumen V Milev; Arun V Ravindran; Rudolf Uher Journal: Can J Psychiatry Date: 2016-08-02 Impact factor: 4.356