The efficacy of non-directive supportive therapy for adult depression: A meta-analysis

The efficacy of non-directive supportive therapy for adult depression : A meta-analysis

The effects of non-directive supportive therapy (NDST) for adult depression have been examined in a considerable number of studies, but no meta-analysis of these studies has been conducted. We selected 31 studies on NDST from a comprehensive database of trials, examining psychotherapies for adult depression, and conducted meta-analyses in which NDST was compared with control groups, other psychotherapies and pharmacotherapy. We found that NDST is effective in the treatment of depression in adults (g=0.58; 95% CI: 0.45-0.72). NDST was less effective than other psychological treatments (differential effect size g=-0.20; 95% CI: -0.32 to -0.08, p<0.01), but these differences were no longer present after controlling for researcher allegiance. We estimated that extra-therapeutic factors (those processes operating in waiting-list and care-as-usual controls) were responsible for 33.3% of the overall improvement, non-specific factors (the effects of NDST compared with control groups) for 49.6%, and specific factors (the effects of NDST compared with other therapies) for 17.1%. NDST has a considerable effect on symptoms of depression. Most of the effect of therapy for adult depression is realized by non-specific factors, and our results suggest that the contribution of specific effects is limited at best.

Driessen, EllenVU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands (author)
Hollon, Steven DVanderbilt University, Nashville, USA (author)
van Oppen, PatriciaEMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, The Netherlands (author)
Barth, JürgenUniversity of Bern, Switzerland (author)
Andersson, GerhardKarolinska Institutet,Linköpings universitet,Psykologi,Filosofiska fakulteten,Internet, hälsa och klinisk psykologi(Swepub:liu)geran87 (author)
VU University Amsterdam, The NetherlandsVanderbilt University, Nashville, USA (creator_code:org_t)

By the author/editor: Cuijpers, Pim; Driessen, Ellen; Hollon, Steven D; van Oppen, Patri ...; Barth, Jürgen; Andersson, Gerha ...

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