[Results of psychoanalytic long-term therapy in specific diagnostic groups: improvement in symptoms and interpersonal relationships].
OBJECTIVE
In the present paper, data from four German studies on the efficacy of outpatient psychoanalytic long-term psychotherapy were examined for symptom reduction (SCL-90-R) and reduction of interpersonal problems (IIP-D). Specifically, the research question addressed the efficacy of long-term therapy in specific diagnostic groups and was was compared with that of a parallel group who underwent shorter-term psychodynamic therapy.


METHODS
Data from four German studies addressing the efficacy of outpatient psychoanalytic long-term therapy were collected. Evaluation of these data was carried for specific diagnostic groups allowing for comorbid diagnoses. The effects of psychoanalytic therapy were assessed by pre-post and pre-follow-up comparisons using paired t-tests. Additionally, effect sizes were calculated. Psychoanalytic long-term psychotherapy and shorter-term psychodynamic therapy were compared by using a repeated measure ANOVA: Pretreatment vs. posttreatment/follow-up (two-levels) with the between subject factor "therapy conditions" (two levels).


RESULTS
The results showed that in terms of improvement of symptoms and interpersonal problems, psychoanalytic long-term therapy was at least as effective as shorter term psychodynamic therapy with regard to the following ICD-10 diagnostic groups: affective disorders (F3), anxiety disorders (F40; F41; F42), personality disorders (F60; F61; F62), and a group of mixed neurotic disorders (F43; F50; F51; F1; F55). Effect sizes were large and remained stable at follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors emphasize the clinical relevance of the examined diagnostic groups and relatively large effects achieved by the psychoanalytic treatment. Furthermore, the occurrence of comorbid diagnoses and their consequences are discussed. The authors stress that the specific effects of psychoanalytic therapy can only be very insufficiently tapped by the outcome measures referring to symptoms and interpersonal problems.
Jakobsen
Thorsten
T
Institut für Psychotherapieforschung und Qualitätssicherung, Heidelberg, Germany. jakobsen@gmx.de
Rudolf
Gerd
G
Brockmann
Josef
J
Eckert
Jochen
J
Huber
Dorothea
D
Klug
Günther
G
Grande
Tilman
T
Keller
Wolfram
W
Staats
Hermann
H
Leichsenring
Falk
F
D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011575:Psychoanalytic Therapy