Evidence-based treatments for depression and anxiety versus treatment-as-usual: a meta-analysis of direct comparisons

Wampold, Bruce E.; Budge, Stephanie L.; Laska, Kevin M.; Del Re, A.C.; Baardseth, Timothy P.; Flückiger, Christoph; Minami, Takuya; Kivlighan II, D. Martin; Gunn, Wade (2011). Evidence-based treatments for depression and anxiety versus treatment-as-usual: a meta-analysis of direct comparisons. Clinical psychology review, 31(8), pp. 1304-1312. New York, N.Y.: Elsevier Science 10.1016/j.cpr.2011.07.012

Full text not available from this repository.

Objective
The aim of this study was to examine the relative efficacy of evidence-based treatments (EBTs) versus treatment-as-usual (TAU) in routine care for anxiety and depression in adults.

Method
A computerized search of studies that directly compared an EBT with a TAU was conducted. Meta-analytic methods were used to estimate effectiveness of EBTs relative to TAU and to model how various confounding variables impacted the results of this comparative research.

Results
A total of 14 studies were included in the final meta-analysis. There was significant heterogeneity in the TAU conditions, which ranged from unknown and/or minimal mental health treatment to psychotherapeutic interventions provided by trained professionals. Although the effect for EBT vs. TAU was significantly greater than zero, the effect for EBT vs. TAUs that were psychotherapeutic interventions was not statistically different from zero.

Conclusions
Heterogeneity of TAU conditions in this meta-analysis highlight the importance of clarifying the research questions being asked when investigating and drawing conclusions from EBT–TAU comparisons. Researchers need to clarify if they are comparing an EBT to psychotherapeutic services in routine care or to minimal mental health services. Extant research on EBT versus TAU reveals that there is insufficient evidence to recommend the transportation of EBTs for anxiety and depression to routine care, particularly when the routine care involves psychotherapeutic services.

Highlights
► Compared evidence-based treatments and treatment-as-usual for anxiety and depression. ► Implementing evidence-based treatments could improve the quality of care. ► The definition of treatment-as-usual varies considerably. ► Evidence-based treatments are superior to treatment-as-usual without psychotherapy. ► Evidence-based treatments are not superior to psychotherapy services.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

07 Faculty of Human Sciences > Institute of Psychology > Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy

UniBE Contributor:

Flückiger, Christoph

ISSN:

0272-7358

Publisher:

Elsevier Science

Language:

English

Submitter:

Factscience Import

Date Deposited:

04 Oct 2013 14:31

Last Modified:

16 Feb 2023 14:58

Publisher DOI:

10.1016/j.cpr.2011.07.012

Web of Science ID:

000297186300006

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/11859 (FactScience: 218110)

Actions (login required)

Edit item Edit item
Provide Feedback