title: Brief psychotherapy for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Because evidence-based psychotherapies of 12 to 20 sessions can be perceived as too lengthy and time intensive for the treatment of depression in primary care, a number of studies have examined abbreviated psychotherapy protocols. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the efficacy of brief psychotherapy (i.e., < or =8 sessions) for depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used combined literature searches in PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and an Internet-accessible database of clinical trials of psychotherapy to conduct two systematic searches: one for existing systematic reviews and another for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Included studies examined evidence-based psychotherapy(s) of eight or fewer sessions, focused on adults with depression, contained an acceptable control condition, were published in English, and used validated measures of depressive symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We retained 2 systematic reviews and 15 RCTs evaluating cognitive behavioral therapy, problem-solving therapy, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. The systematic reviews found brief psychotherapies to be more efficacious than control, with effect sizes ranging from -0.33 to -0.25. Our meta-analysis found six to eight sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy to be more efficacious than control (ES -0.42, 95% CI -0.74 to -0.10, 12 = 56%). A sensitivity analysis controlled for statistical heterogeneity but showed smaller treatment effects (ES -0.24, 95% CI -0.42 to -0.06, 12 = 0%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Depression can be efficaciously treated with six to eight sessions of psychotherapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy and problem-solving therapy. Access to non-pharmacologic treatments for depression could be improved by training healthcare providers to deliver brief psychotherapies.
authors: Durham VA MIRECC and Duke University Medical Center, USA. jason.nieuwsma@duke.edu
authors: Jason A
authors: JA
authors: Nieuwsma
authors: Ranak B
authors: RB
authors: Trivedi
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: McDuffie
authors: Ian
authors: I
authors: Kronish
authors: Dinesh
authors: D
authors: Benjamin
authors: John W
authors: JW
authors: Williams
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome