The Experts below are selected from a list of 1479 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Martin Lotz - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Predictors of non-responding in short-term Psychodynamic Group Therapy
    Nordic Psychology, 2017
    Co-Authors: Hans Henrik Jensen, Erik Lykke Mortensen, Martin Lotz
    Abstract:

    AbstractSelection for psychoTherapy may be improved by identifying predictors of non-responding to treatment, but there are only few studies of non-responding in short-term Psychodynamic Group Therapy. We analyzed potential socio-demographic and clinical predictors in a sample of 239 patients in 39 sessions of Psychodynamic Group psychoTherapy, including self-reported symptoms, personality, and extra-therapeutic events. Non-responding was assessed by the Symptom Check List-90-Revised Global Severity Index (SCL-90-R GSI) according to Jacobson and Truax’s Reliable Change Index. Non-responders represented 44.8% of the sample and these patients were still significantly higher in symptom load at a one-year follow-up. SCL-90-R Interpersonal Sensitivity, Compulsive personality as assessed by Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II (MCMI-II), adverse life events during the course of treatment (e.g. somatic illness, loss of partner or job), lack of social support, social burden and occupation were all significantl...

  • Missing Outcome Data in a Naturalistic Psychodynamic Group Therapy Study
    Psychology, 2017
    Co-Authors: Hans Henrik Jensen, Erik Lykke Mortensen, Martin Lotz
    Abstract:

    We examine project drop-out in 39 sessions of Psychodynamic Group Therapy. A total of 327 patients were included in the project, but 25.4% (83) did not evaluate outcome. According to therapists’ evaluation only 25.3% of the project drop-outs “improved” in “symptoms and problems” as compared with 79.1% of the project responders. According to Jacobson & Truax’s classification of Reliable Change, 52.9% of the project responders had a reliable improvement in the SCL-90 R Global Severity Index (GSI). Based on the relationship between therapist evaluations and GSI we estimated that only 43.7% of the whole samples might have had a reliable improvement in GSI. The SPSS standard statistical imputations procedure estimated that 48.6% of the patients reliably improved in GSI, and 50.2% when therapist evaluations were not included. It is concluded that therapist evaluations are essential in order to avoid bias in reported outcome solely based on project responders in the present naturalistic study, where outcome data probably are missing not at random.

  • Drop-out from a Psychodynamic Group psychoTherapy outpatient unit.
    Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 2014
    Co-Authors: Hans Henrik Jensen, Erik Lykke Mortensen, Martin Lotz
    Abstract:

    AbstractBackground. Drop-out from psychoTherapy is common and represents a considerable problem in clinical practice and research. Aim. To explore pre-treatment predictors of early and late drop-out from Psychodynamic Group Therapy in a public outpatient unit for non-psychotic disorders in Denmark. Methods. Naturalistic design including 329 patients, the majority with mood, neurotic and personality disorders referred to 39-session Group Therapy. Predictors were socio-demographic and clinical variables, self-reported symptoms (Symptom Check List-90-Revised) and personality style (Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II). Drop-out was classified into early and late premature termination excluding patients who dropped out for external reasons. Results. Drop-out comprised 20.6% (68 patients) of the sample. Logistic regression revealed social functioning, vocational training, alcohol problems and antisocial behavior to be related to drop-out. However, early drop-outs had prominent agoraphobic symptoms, lower i...

  • Heterogeneity of treatment changes after Psychodynamic Therapy within a one year follow-up: a replication study.
    Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Hans Henrik Jensen, Erik Lykke Mortensen, Martin Lotz
    Abstract:

    Naturalistic psychoTherapy effect studies commonly report effect sizes for the total sample. However, a previous study of SCL-90 Global Severity Index (GSI) improvement in a large outpatient sample used a cluster analytic strategy and reported clinical relevant outcome trajectories that could be Grouped into early within-treatment improvement, late improvement in the follow-up period, and deteriorating patients with slight improvement that was lost at follow-up. We explore GSI outcome trajectories and clinical significant change in a sample of 320 patients at a public psychiatric outpatient Psychodynamic Group Therapy unit, the majority with anxiety, personality, and mood disorders. The study revealed large discharge and follow-up effect sizes but more than one third of the patients were without measurable improvement. The major clusters described above were confirmed, and revealed unique clinical and socio-demographic characteristics. Late improvers, as compared with early improvers, were characterized by anxiety symptoms and lack of network support after controlling for GSI at admission. Similarly, deteriorating patients had longer duration of illness and less favourable social characteristics compared with the other two Groups. Early improving patients were less likely to have participated in short-term Groups, and only one third participated in additional treatment compared with more than 69% of the other patients. Severe and socially affected psychiatric patients, and patients with anxiety and agoraphobic symptoms may be less optimally treated in short-term time limited Psychodynamic Groups. There is an obvious need for diversity of treatment offers, better integration of psycho-social treatment components, and long-term open ended treatment.

  • SCL-90-R Symptom Profiles and Outcome of Short-Term Psychodynamic Group Therapy
    International Scholarly Research Notices, 2013
    Co-Authors: Hans Henrik Jensen, Erik Lykke Mortensen, Martin Lotz
    Abstract:

    Background. Psychodynamic Group psychoTherapy may not be an optimal treatment for anxiety and agoraphobic symptoms. We explore remission of SCL-90-R Global Severity Index (GSI) and target symptoms in 39 sessions of Psychodynamic Group Therapy. Methods. SCL-90-R “target symptom” profile and GSI remission according to Danish norms were identified in 239 patients and evaluated according to reliable and clinical significant change. Results. Four major Groups of target symptom cases (depression, interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety, and phobic anxiety) covered 95.7% of the sample. As opposite to phobic anxiety and anxiety patients, patients with interpersonal sensitivity obtained overall the most optimal outcome. The phobic anxiety scale, social network support, and years of school education were independent predictors of GSI remission, and a low anxiety score and absence of phobic anxiety target symptoms were independent predictors of remission of target symptom pathology. Conclusions. The negative results as associated with the SCL-90-R phobic anxiety scale and the phobic anxiety target symptom Group are largely in agreement with recent studies. In contrast, whatever the diagnoses, patients with interpersonal sensitivity target symptom may be especially suited for Psychodynamic Group Therapy. The SCL-90-R subscales may allow for a more complex symptom-related differentiation of patients compared with both diagnoses and GSI symptom load.

Hans Henrik Jensen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Predictors of non-responding in short-term Psychodynamic Group Therapy
    Nordic Psychology, 2017
    Co-Authors: Hans Henrik Jensen, Erik Lykke Mortensen, Martin Lotz
    Abstract:

    AbstractSelection for psychoTherapy may be improved by identifying predictors of non-responding to treatment, but there are only few studies of non-responding in short-term Psychodynamic Group Therapy. We analyzed potential socio-demographic and clinical predictors in a sample of 239 patients in 39 sessions of Psychodynamic Group psychoTherapy, including self-reported symptoms, personality, and extra-therapeutic events. Non-responding was assessed by the Symptom Check List-90-Revised Global Severity Index (SCL-90-R GSI) according to Jacobson and Truax’s Reliable Change Index. Non-responders represented 44.8% of the sample and these patients were still significantly higher in symptom load at a one-year follow-up. SCL-90-R Interpersonal Sensitivity, Compulsive personality as assessed by Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II (MCMI-II), adverse life events during the course of treatment (e.g. somatic illness, loss of partner or job), lack of social support, social burden and occupation were all significantl...

  • Missing Outcome Data in a Naturalistic Psychodynamic Group Therapy Study
    Psychology, 2017
    Co-Authors: Hans Henrik Jensen, Erik Lykke Mortensen, Martin Lotz
    Abstract:

    We examine project drop-out in 39 sessions of Psychodynamic Group Therapy. A total of 327 patients were included in the project, but 25.4% (83) did not evaluate outcome. According to therapists’ evaluation only 25.3% of the project drop-outs “improved” in “symptoms and problems” as compared with 79.1% of the project responders. According to Jacobson & Truax’s classification of Reliable Change, 52.9% of the project responders had a reliable improvement in the SCL-90 R Global Severity Index (GSI). Based on the relationship between therapist evaluations and GSI we estimated that only 43.7% of the whole samples might have had a reliable improvement in GSI. The SPSS standard statistical imputations procedure estimated that 48.6% of the patients reliably improved in GSI, and 50.2% when therapist evaluations were not included. It is concluded that therapist evaluations are essential in order to avoid bias in reported outcome solely based on project responders in the present naturalistic study, where outcome data probably are missing not at random.

  • Drop-out from a Psychodynamic Group psychoTherapy outpatient unit.
    Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 2014
    Co-Authors: Hans Henrik Jensen, Erik Lykke Mortensen, Martin Lotz
    Abstract:

    AbstractBackground. Drop-out from psychoTherapy is common and represents a considerable problem in clinical practice and research. Aim. To explore pre-treatment predictors of early and late drop-out from Psychodynamic Group Therapy in a public outpatient unit for non-psychotic disorders in Denmark. Methods. Naturalistic design including 329 patients, the majority with mood, neurotic and personality disorders referred to 39-session Group Therapy. Predictors were socio-demographic and clinical variables, self-reported symptoms (Symptom Check List-90-Revised) and personality style (Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II). Drop-out was classified into early and late premature termination excluding patients who dropped out for external reasons. Results. Drop-out comprised 20.6% (68 patients) of the sample. Logistic regression revealed social functioning, vocational training, alcohol problems and antisocial behavior to be related to drop-out. However, early drop-outs had prominent agoraphobic symptoms, lower i...

  • Heterogeneity of treatment changes after Psychodynamic Therapy within a one year follow-up: a replication study.
    Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Hans Henrik Jensen, Erik Lykke Mortensen, Martin Lotz
    Abstract:

    Naturalistic psychoTherapy effect studies commonly report effect sizes for the total sample. However, a previous study of SCL-90 Global Severity Index (GSI) improvement in a large outpatient sample used a cluster analytic strategy and reported clinical relevant outcome trajectories that could be Grouped into early within-treatment improvement, late improvement in the follow-up period, and deteriorating patients with slight improvement that was lost at follow-up. We explore GSI outcome trajectories and clinical significant change in a sample of 320 patients at a public psychiatric outpatient Psychodynamic Group Therapy unit, the majority with anxiety, personality, and mood disorders. The study revealed large discharge and follow-up effect sizes but more than one third of the patients were without measurable improvement. The major clusters described above were confirmed, and revealed unique clinical and socio-demographic characteristics. Late improvers, as compared with early improvers, were characterized by anxiety symptoms and lack of network support after controlling for GSI at admission. Similarly, deteriorating patients had longer duration of illness and less favourable social characteristics compared with the other two Groups. Early improving patients were less likely to have participated in short-term Groups, and only one third participated in additional treatment compared with more than 69% of the other patients. Severe and socially affected psychiatric patients, and patients with anxiety and agoraphobic symptoms may be less optimally treated in short-term time limited Psychodynamic Groups. There is an obvious need for diversity of treatment offers, better integration of psycho-social treatment components, and long-term open ended treatment.

  • SCL-90-R Symptom Profiles and Outcome of Short-Term Psychodynamic Group Therapy
    International Scholarly Research Notices, 2013
    Co-Authors: Hans Henrik Jensen, Erik Lykke Mortensen, Martin Lotz
    Abstract:

    Background. Psychodynamic Group psychoTherapy may not be an optimal treatment for anxiety and agoraphobic symptoms. We explore remission of SCL-90-R Global Severity Index (GSI) and target symptoms in 39 sessions of Psychodynamic Group Therapy. Methods. SCL-90-R “target symptom” profile and GSI remission according to Danish norms were identified in 239 patients and evaluated according to reliable and clinical significant change. Results. Four major Groups of target symptom cases (depression, interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety, and phobic anxiety) covered 95.7% of the sample. As opposite to phobic anxiety and anxiety patients, patients with interpersonal sensitivity obtained overall the most optimal outcome. The phobic anxiety scale, social network support, and years of school education were independent predictors of GSI remission, and a low anxiety score and absence of phobic anxiety target symptoms were independent predictors of remission of target symptom pathology. Conclusions. The negative results as associated with the SCL-90-R phobic anxiety scale and the phobic anxiety target symptom Group are largely in agreement with recent studies. In contrast, whatever the diagnoses, patients with interpersonal sensitivity target symptom may be especially suited for Psychodynamic Group Therapy. The SCL-90-R subscales may allow for a more complex symptom-related differentiation of patients compared with both diagnoses and GSI symptom load.

Erik Lykke Mortensen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Predictors of non-responding in short-term Psychodynamic Group Therapy
    Nordic Psychology, 2017
    Co-Authors: Hans Henrik Jensen, Erik Lykke Mortensen, Martin Lotz
    Abstract:

    AbstractSelection for psychoTherapy may be improved by identifying predictors of non-responding to treatment, but there are only few studies of non-responding in short-term Psychodynamic Group Therapy. We analyzed potential socio-demographic and clinical predictors in a sample of 239 patients in 39 sessions of Psychodynamic Group psychoTherapy, including self-reported symptoms, personality, and extra-therapeutic events. Non-responding was assessed by the Symptom Check List-90-Revised Global Severity Index (SCL-90-R GSI) according to Jacobson and Truax’s Reliable Change Index. Non-responders represented 44.8% of the sample and these patients were still significantly higher in symptom load at a one-year follow-up. SCL-90-R Interpersonal Sensitivity, Compulsive personality as assessed by Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II (MCMI-II), adverse life events during the course of treatment (e.g. somatic illness, loss of partner or job), lack of social support, social burden and occupation were all significantl...

  • Missing Outcome Data in a Naturalistic Psychodynamic Group Therapy Study
    Psychology, 2017
    Co-Authors: Hans Henrik Jensen, Erik Lykke Mortensen, Martin Lotz
    Abstract:

    We examine project drop-out in 39 sessions of Psychodynamic Group Therapy. A total of 327 patients were included in the project, but 25.4% (83) did not evaluate outcome. According to therapists’ evaluation only 25.3% of the project drop-outs “improved” in “symptoms and problems” as compared with 79.1% of the project responders. According to Jacobson & Truax’s classification of Reliable Change, 52.9% of the project responders had a reliable improvement in the SCL-90 R Global Severity Index (GSI). Based on the relationship between therapist evaluations and GSI we estimated that only 43.7% of the whole samples might have had a reliable improvement in GSI. The SPSS standard statistical imputations procedure estimated that 48.6% of the patients reliably improved in GSI, and 50.2% when therapist evaluations were not included. It is concluded that therapist evaluations are essential in order to avoid bias in reported outcome solely based on project responders in the present naturalistic study, where outcome data probably are missing not at random.

  • Drop-out from a Psychodynamic Group psychoTherapy outpatient unit.
    Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 2014
    Co-Authors: Hans Henrik Jensen, Erik Lykke Mortensen, Martin Lotz
    Abstract:

    AbstractBackground. Drop-out from psychoTherapy is common and represents a considerable problem in clinical practice and research. Aim. To explore pre-treatment predictors of early and late drop-out from Psychodynamic Group Therapy in a public outpatient unit for non-psychotic disorders in Denmark. Methods. Naturalistic design including 329 patients, the majority with mood, neurotic and personality disorders referred to 39-session Group Therapy. Predictors were socio-demographic and clinical variables, self-reported symptoms (Symptom Check List-90-Revised) and personality style (Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II). Drop-out was classified into early and late premature termination excluding patients who dropped out for external reasons. Results. Drop-out comprised 20.6% (68 patients) of the sample. Logistic regression revealed social functioning, vocational training, alcohol problems and antisocial behavior to be related to drop-out. However, early drop-outs had prominent agoraphobic symptoms, lower i...

  • Heterogeneity of treatment changes after Psychodynamic Therapy within a one year follow-up: a replication study.
    Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Hans Henrik Jensen, Erik Lykke Mortensen, Martin Lotz
    Abstract:

    Naturalistic psychoTherapy effect studies commonly report effect sizes for the total sample. However, a previous study of SCL-90 Global Severity Index (GSI) improvement in a large outpatient sample used a cluster analytic strategy and reported clinical relevant outcome trajectories that could be Grouped into early within-treatment improvement, late improvement in the follow-up period, and deteriorating patients with slight improvement that was lost at follow-up. We explore GSI outcome trajectories and clinical significant change in a sample of 320 patients at a public psychiatric outpatient Psychodynamic Group Therapy unit, the majority with anxiety, personality, and mood disorders. The study revealed large discharge and follow-up effect sizes but more than one third of the patients were without measurable improvement. The major clusters described above were confirmed, and revealed unique clinical and socio-demographic characteristics. Late improvers, as compared with early improvers, were characterized by anxiety symptoms and lack of network support after controlling for GSI at admission. Similarly, deteriorating patients had longer duration of illness and less favourable social characteristics compared with the other two Groups. Early improving patients were less likely to have participated in short-term Groups, and only one third participated in additional treatment compared with more than 69% of the other patients. Severe and socially affected psychiatric patients, and patients with anxiety and agoraphobic symptoms may be less optimally treated in short-term time limited Psychodynamic Groups. There is an obvious need for diversity of treatment offers, better integration of psycho-social treatment components, and long-term open ended treatment.

  • SCL-90-R Symptom Profiles and Outcome of Short-Term Psychodynamic Group Therapy
    International Scholarly Research Notices, 2013
    Co-Authors: Hans Henrik Jensen, Erik Lykke Mortensen, Martin Lotz
    Abstract:

    Background. Psychodynamic Group psychoTherapy may not be an optimal treatment for anxiety and agoraphobic symptoms. We explore remission of SCL-90-R Global Severity Index (GSI) and target symptoms in 39 sessions of Psychodynamic Group Therapy. Methods. SCL-90-R “target symptom” profile and GSI remission according to Danish norms were identified in 239 patients and evaluated according to reliable and clinical significant change. Results. Four major Groups of target symptom cases (depression, interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety, and phobic anxiety) covered 95.7% of the sample. As opposite to phobic anxiety and anxiety patients, patients with interpersonal sensitivity obtained overall the most optimal outcome. The phobic anxiety scale, social network support, and years of school education were independent predictors of GSI remission, and a low anxiety score and absence of phobic anxiety target symptoms were independent predictors of remission of target symptom pathology. Conclusions. The negative results as associated with the SCL-90-R phobic anxiety scale and the phobic anxiety target symptom Group are largely in agreement with recent studies. In contrast, whatever the diagnoses, patients with interpersonal sensitivity target symptom may be especially suited for Psychodynamic Group Therapy. The SCL-90-R subscales may allow for a more complex symptom-related differentiation of patients compared with both diagnoses and GSI symptom load.

Steinar Lorentzen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Short-term focused Group-analytic psychoTherapy (SFGAP): An integrative approach to change based on research:
    Group Analysis, 2020
    Co-Authors: Steinar Lorentzen
    Abstract:

    Group-Analytic PsychoTherapy (Group Analysis; GA) is probably the most commonly used Psychodynamic Group Therapy in Europe. It is mainly based on clinical experience, but the research evidence is i...

  • Patterns of Change in Interpersonal Problems During and After Short-term and Long-term Psychodynamic Group Therapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
    Psychotherapy Research, 2015
    Co-Authors: Anette Fjeldstad, Per Høglend, Steinar Lorentzen
    Abstract:

    AbstractObjective: In this study, we compared the patterns of change in interpersonal problems between short-term and long-term Psychodynamic Group Therapy. Method: A total of 167 outpatients with mixed diagnoses were randomized to 20 or 80 weekly sessions of Group Therapy. Interpersonal problems were assessed with the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems at six time points during the 3-year study period. Using linear mixed models, change was linearly modelled in two steps. Earlier (within the first 6 months) and later (during the last 2.5 years) changes in five subscales were estimated. Results and conclusion: Contrary to what we expected, short-term Therapy induced a significantly larger early change than long-term Therapy on the cold subscale and there was a trend on the socially avoidant subscale, using a Bonferroni-adjusted alpha. There was no significant difference between short-term and long-term Group Therapy for improving problems in the areas cold, socially avoidant, nonassertive, exploitable, an...

  • Short-term intensive Psychodynamic Group Therapy versus cognitive-behavioral Group Therapy in day treatment of anxiety disorders and comorbid depressive or personality disorders: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
    Trials, 2015
    Co-Authors: Hubert Suszek, Steinar Lorentzen, Paweł Holas, Tomasz Wyrzykowski, Andrzej Kokoszka
    Abstract:

    Background Psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral Group therapies are frequently applied in day hospitals for the treatment of anxiety disorders and comorbid depressive or personality disorders in Poland and other Eastern European countries. Yet there is not enough evidence as to their effectiveness in this environment; this study addresses this gap. The aim of the study is to determine the effectiveness of these two kinds of day treatment care consisting of intensive, short-term Group Psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral Therapy, for patients with anxiety disorders and/or comorbid depressive or personality disorders. Our objectives are to: 1) show the effectiveness of each treatment in a day-care setting relative to the wait-list control Group; 2) demonstrate the relative short- and long-term effectiveness of the two active treatments; 3) carry out a preliminary examination of the predictors and moderators of treatment response; 4) carry out a preliminary examination of the mediators of therapeutic change; and 5) compare the impact of both methods of treatment on the outcome of the measures used in this study. Methods/Design In this randomized controlled trial, a total of 199 patients with anxiety disorders and comorbid depressive and/or personality disorders will be assigned to one of three conditions: 1) Psychodynamic Group Therapy; 2) cognitive-behavioral Group Therapy; or 3) wait-list control Group. The Therapy will last 12 weeks. Both treatments will be manualized (the manuals will address comorbidity). Primary outcome measures will include self-reported symptoms of anxiety, observer-rated symptoms of anxiety, global improvement, and recovery rate. Secondary outcome measures will include the number of pathological personality traits, depression, self-esteem, defense mechanisms, beliefs about self and others, interpersonal problems, object relations, parental bonding, meta-cognition, and quality of life. Measures will be taken at baseline, post-treatment, and at six months following the end of Therapy. Discussion The rationale is to investigate how effectively anxiety disorders and/or comorbid depressive or personality disorders can be treated in a day hospital setting, typical of the Polish health care system, during a three-month treatment period. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT02126787 , registered on 28 April 2014.

  • Short-term intensive Psychodynamic Group Therapy versus cognitive-behavioral Group Therapy in day treatment of anxiety disorders and comorbid depressive or personality disorders: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
    Trials, 2015
    Co-Authors: Hubert Suszek, Steinar Lorentzen, Paweł Holas, Tomasz Wyrzykowski, Andrzej Kokoszka
    Abstract:

    Background Psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral Group therapies are frequently applied in day hospitals for the treatment of anxiety disorders and comorbid depressive or personality disorders in Poland and other Eastern European countries. Yet there is not enough evidence as to their effectiveness in this environment; this study addresses this gap. The aim of the study is to determine the effectiveness of these two kinds of day treatment care consisting of intensive, short-term Group Psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral Therapy, for patients with anxiety disorders and/or comorbid depressive or personality disorders. Our objectives are to: 1) show the effectiveness of each treatment in a day-care setting relative to the wait-list control Group; 2) demonstrate the relative short- and long-term effectiveness of the two active treatments; 3) carry out a preliminary examination of the predictors and moderators of treatment response; 4) carry out a preliminary examination of the mediators of therapeutic change; and 5) compare the impact of both methods of treatment on the outcome of the measures used in this study.

Andrzej Kokoszka - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Short-term intensive Psychodynamic Group Therapy versus cognitive-behavioral Group Therapy in day treatment of anxiety disorders and comorbid depressive or personality disorders: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
    Trials, 2015
    Co-Authors: Hubert Suszek, Steinar Lorentzen, Paweł Holas, Tomasz Wyrzykowski, Andrzej Kokoszka
    Abstract:

    Background Psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral Group therapies are frequently applied in day hospitals for the treatment of anxiety disorders and comorbid depressive or personality disorders in Poland and other Eastern European countries. Yet there is not enough evidence as to their effectiveness in this environment; this study addresses this gap. The aim of the study is to determine the effectiveness of these two kinds of day treatment care consisting of intensive, short-term Group Psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral Therapy, for patients with anxiety disorders and/or comorbid depressive or personality disorders. Our objectives are to: 1) show the effectiveness of each treatment in a day-care setting relative to the wait-list control Group; 2) demonstrate the relative short- and long-term effectiveness of the two active treatments; 3) carry out a preliminary examination of the predictors and moderators of treatment response; 4) carry out a preliminary examination of the mediators of therapeutic change; and 5) compare the impact of both methods of treatment on the outcome of the measures used in this study. Methods/Design In this randomized controlled trial, a total of 199 patients with anxiety disorders and comorbid depressive and/or personality disorders will be assigned to one of three conditions: 1) Psychodynamic Group Therapy; 2) cognitive-behavioral Group Therapy; or 3) wait-list control Group. The Therapy will last 12 weeks. Both treatments will be manualized (the manuals will address comorbidity). Primary outcome measures will include self-reported symptoms of anxiety, observer-rated symptoms of anxiety, global improvement, and recovery rate. Secondary outcome measures will include the number of pathological personality traits, depression, self-esteem, defense mechanisms, beliefs about self and others, interpersonal problems, object relations, parental bonding, meta-cognition, and quality of life. Measures will be taken at baseline, post-treatment, and at six months following the end of Therapy. Discussion The rationale is to investigate how effectively anxiety disorders and/or comorbid depressive or personality disorders can be treated in a day hospital setting, typical of the Polish health care system, during a three-month treatment period. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT02126787 , registered on 28 April 2014.

  • Short-term intensive Psychodynamic Group Therapy versus cognitive-behavioral Group Therapy in day treatment of anxiety disorders and comorbid depressive or personality disorders: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
    Trials, 2015
    Co-Authors: Hubert Suszek, Steinar Lorentzen, Paweł Holas, Tomasz Wyrzykowski, Andrzej Kokoszka
    Abstract:

    Background Psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral Group therapies are frequently applied in day hospitals for the treatment of anxiety disorders and comorbid depressive or personality disorders in Poland and other Eastern European countries. Yet there is not enough evidence as to their effectiveness in this environment; this study addresses this gap. The aim of the study is to determine the effectiveness of these two kinds of day treatment care consisting of intensive, short-term Group Psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral Therapy, for patients with anxiety disorders and/or comorbid depressive or personality disorders. Our objectives are to: 1) show the effectiveness of each treatment in a day-care setting relative to the wait-list control Group; 2) demonstrate the relative short- and long-term effectiveness of the two active treatments; 3) carry out a preliminary examination of the predictors and moderators of treatment response; 4) carry out a preliminary examination of the mediators of therapeutic change; and 5) compare the impact of both methods of treatment on the outcome of the measures used in this study.