title: Recent randomized controlled trials of psychological interventions in healthcare: a review of their quantity, scope, and characteristics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to describe the quantity, scope, and fundamental characteristics of recently published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of psychological interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  We queried two major databases (PsycINFO and PubMeD) for primary reports published in 2010 of RCTs of psychological interventions for participants with a medical condition. We collected data on the characteristics of the trials, participants, interventions, outcomes, and reports.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 3696 retrieved reports 295 primary publications were included. About half (53%) of trials included participants with a mental disorder and more than half evaluated interventions based on a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) framework. A majority of trials recruited participants in North America and Europe (79%). A minority of the trials focused on children and adolescents (17%) or the elderly (8%). The median sample size of the intervention arm was n=41. Thirty-nine percent of trials reported solely patient-reported outcomes. Only 5% of reports indicated funding from for-profit organizations. The median 2010 impact factor of the journals in which reports were published was 2.96.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This snapshot of the research on psychological interventions suggests that the evidence base for psychological interventions is expanding mainly for CBT interventions for adults in high-income countries. Although the restrictive inclusion criteria limit the generalizability of these results, researchers and funding agencies might be advised to strive for greater diversity regarding interventions, geographical/cultural settings and age groups. Regularly updated reviews of this research field, with gradually refined methodology and increased scope, may further inform funders and researchers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: filip.arnberg@neuro.uu.se.
authors.forename: Filip K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Arnberg
authors.forename: Iman
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alaie
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Parling
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Jonsson
mesh_terms: D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D013548:Sweden; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Behavioral interventions; Evidence base; Healthcare policy; Psychotherapy; Randomized controlled trials; Systematic review