Report on a Systematic Review of the Efficacy and Clinical Effectiveness of Group Analysis and Analytic/Dynamic Group Psychotherapy

Abstract

This article reports on a systematic review to assess the efficacy and clinical effectiveness of group analysis and analytic/dynamic (A/D) group psychotherapy. Systematic literature searches were undertaken; 34 primary studies and 19 reviews met the inclusion criteria and their data was extracted. Of the primary studies, the randomized controlled trials provided evidence for the efficacy and clinical effectiveness of group therapy approaches in a range of clinical problems, but not for specific benefits of any particular theoretical approach. The controlled studies and observational studies gave support for the use of group psychotherapy in a variety of conditions.The review of reviews confirms that group therapies in general are more effective than wait list or standard care controls. Methodological challenges encountered and recommendations for further research are presented, along with a more detailed discussion of the implications of the review for the research community.

Effectiveness of Short‐Term Dynamic Group Psychotherapy in Primary Care for Patients with Depressive Symptoms

“…The fact that age limit was not an inclusion criteria may explain the high mean age of our patients (49.1 years), and it has been shown that dynamic group psychotherapy is beneficial for elderly people (Canete, Stormont, & Esquerro, ). Patients discontinued group therapy mostly during the first sessions, as previously reported (Blackmore, Tantam, Parry, & Chambers, ), although a more comprehensive assessment of the indication of psychotherapy or in‐depth evaluation of the patients' motivation may reduce the number of patients lost to continue with treatment. The number of patients lost to follow‐up was greater among controls.…”

“…Patients discontinued group therapy mostly during the first sessions, as previously reported (Blackmore, Tantam, Parry, & Chambers, 2012), although a more comprehensive assessment of the indication of psychotherapy or indepth evaluation of the patients' motivation may reduce the number of patients lost to continue with treatment. The number of patients lost to follow-up was greater among controls.…”

“…Also, data were obtained from validated symptom‐oriented measures and in real‐world clinical practice. The high percentage of women and the distribution of diagnosis of severity of disease are consistent with data reported in other studies (Ruiz, Silva, & Miranda, ; Blackmore et al ., ). The fact that age limit was not an inclusion criteria may explain the high mean age of our patients (49.1 years), and it has been shown that dynamic group psychotherapy is beneficial for elderly people (Canete, Stormont, & Esquerro, ).…”

SCL-90-R Symptom Profiles and Outcome of Short-Term Psychodynamic Group Therapy

“…A review of analytic and psychodynamic group therapy provides evidence for the effectiveness of treatment in groups, but not necessarily for the superiority of analytic and psychodynamic group therapy [1]. In a recent randomized controlled trial, Watzke et al selected patients for treatment in either psychodynamic or cognitive behavioral groups [2].…”

Zeitschriftenspiegel

“…Bezüglich der Forschung nehmen Blackmore et al (2012) in Group Analysis noch einmal in einer Kurzfassung Stellung zu ihrer Metaanalyse zur Wirksamkeit (efficacy) und klinischen Effektivität (effectiveness) von Gruppenanalyse und analytischer/ psychodynamischer Gruppenpsychotherapie, die sie im Auftrag von International Group Analysis (IGA) und Group Analytic Society (GAS) (beide London) durchgeführt hatten (Blackmore et al, 2009 (MacKenzie, 1997). Beide Formate sind psychodynamisch, d. h. sie fokussieren sowohl auf bewusste als auch unbewusste Prozesse des Einzelnen wie der Gruppe.…”