[Psychodynamic group treatment for generalized social phobia].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of psychodynamic group therapy in patients with generalized social phobia.


METHODS
Thirty patients were included in a randomized single-blind clinical trial comparing psychodynamic group treatment (PGT) with a credible placebo control group (CPC). PGT was carried out within a 12-session psychodynamically-oriented group psychotherapy. Control patients received a treatment package of lecture-discussion and support group for 12 weeks which was compared to PGT. Each participant completed the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAS) and the Clinical Global Impression Scale(CGI) at pretreatment assessment and after 12 weeks of treatment. Data analysis was carried out using a repeated measures ANOVA. Patients were excluded if they were under any kind of pharmacotherapy or psychotherapic treatment.


RESULTS
Both groups demonstrated significant pretreatment-to-posttreatment change on most measures. On the LSAS, PGT patients were rated as more improved than controls at posttest assessment (F(1,28)=4.84, p=0.036). Baseline data of completers did not show differences between both groups in the demographic variables and outcome variables used.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study showed that PGT was [corrected] superior to a credible placebo control group in the treatment of generalized social phobia, in a 12-week randomized single-blind clinical trial.
Knijnik
Daniela Zippin
DZ
Departamento de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. knijnikd@terra.com.br
Kapczinski
Flávio
F
Chachamovich
Eduardo
E
Margis
Regina
R
Eizirik
Claudio Laks
CL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015990:Placebo Effect; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome