title: [Results of psychoanalytic long-term therapy in specific diagnostic groups: improvement in symptoms and interpersonal relationships].
abstract: 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.
authors: Institut für Psychotherapieforschung und Qualitätssicherung, Heidelberg, Germany. jakobsen@gmx.de
authors: Thorsten
authors: T
authors: Jakobsen
authors: Gerd
authors: G
authors: Rudolf
authors: Josef
authors: J
authors: Brockmann
authors: Jochen
authors: J
authors: Eckert
authors: Dorothea
authors: D
authors: Huber
authors: Günther
authors: G
authors: Klug
authors: Tilman
authors: T
authors: Grande
authors: Wolfram
authors: W
authors: Keller
authors: Hermann
authors: H
authors: Staats
authors: Falk
authors: F
authors: Leichsenring
mesh_terms: 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