The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-analyses

Summary & key facts

This 2012 paper reviewed meta-analyses on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The authors found 269 meta-analytic studies and examined a representative sample of 106 reviews across many problems. They reported the strongest support for CBT for anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, bulimia, anger control problems, and general stress. The paper concluded the evidence base for CBT is very strong, but noted a need for more randomized controlled trials and for studies focusing on ethnic minorities and low-income groups.

Key facts:

• The authors identified 269 meta-analytic studies of CBT and reviewed a representative sample of 106 of those.
• The review covered CBT research for many problems, including substance use, psychotic disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, eating disorders, insomnia, personality disorders, anger and aggression,
• The authors stated the strongest support for CBT was for anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, bulimia, anger control problems, and general stress.
• Eleven meta-analytic reviews compared response rates for CBT versus other treatments or controls; in 7 of these reviews CBT showed higher response rates, and in 1 review CBT showed lower response rates than comparison conditions.
• The paper described the overall evidence base for CBT as "very strong," while also saying more randomized controlled trials are needed to further examine CBT’s efficacy.
• Except for child and elderly populations, the authors reported that meta-analytic studies rarely addressed specific subgroups such as ethnic minorities and low-income samples.

Topics

Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development Personality Disorders and Psychopathology Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications

Categories

Clinical Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Clinical psychology Cognition Cognitive behavioral therapy Cognitive therapy Internal medicine Medicine Meta-analysis Nursing Psychiatry Psychology Psychotherapist Public health Quality of Life Research