On Wed, 27 Dec 2000 16:36:16 EST, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Hi Nancy and Tipsters,
I know this is not precisely what you asked about, moderate and severe
depression, but it is in the same vein, a comparison of efficacy of
psychological treatment and medicine. This item is about dental phobia.
It compared benzodiazepine (Valium, I believe) and one session of
psychological treatment (relaxation training, cognitive therapy). It
found that both benzodiazepine and psychological treatment were
comparable in their reduction of dental anxiety during one dental
appointment, however, on the day after the dental work the
benzodiazepine group were just as anxious about dental work as prior to
their visit to the dentist, but the PSYCH group maintained a reduced
dental anxiety. Furthermore, the PSYCH group were much more likely to
continue with needed dental work than were the benzodiazepine group.
These findings parallel the findings for psychological versus drug
treatments in a variety of conditions: the two forms of treatment are
roughly comparable in initial comparisons, but psychological treatment
is superior in reducing the recurrence or intensity of disorder under
treatment.
Reference:
Thom, A., Sartory, G., & Johren, P. (2000) Comparison between
one-session
psychological treatment and benzodiazepine in dental phobia. Journal of
Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68, 378-387.
Another reference is a meta-analysis which may contain the specific
information you want.
"Provices empirical support for the efficacy of psychological treatment
as practiced under real-world as opposed to laboratory conditions"
Shadish, W. R., Matt, G. E., Navarro, A.M., & Phillips, G. (2000) The
effects of psychological therapies under clinically representative
conditions: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 126, 512-529.
I found these in the December, 2000 Clinician's Research Digest.
Bruce L. Bachelder, PhD
Psychologist in Independent Practice
Morganton, NC
>Need some information concerning the following:
>
>1) Recent studies comparing psychotherapy with medication as treatment for
>depression. I was under the impression that psychotherapy is not really an
>effective treatment for moderate to severe treatment - at least not by
>itself. Someone claimed otherwise to me - that psychotherapy is as good if
>not better than medication. Can anyone support this for me, or enlighten me
>if I am wrong?
