Question: In adults with depression how effective is solution focused brief therapy, compared to any other intervention, for improving patient outcomes?

Answer:

Plain language summary

Two poor quality randomised controlled trials found that solution focussed therapy can benefit adults with depression and mood disorders; however more research should be completed to provide further clarification.

Clinical and research implications

Two RCTs provided some evidence that solution focused therapy can benefit adults with depression or mood disorders. One trial of 367 psychiatric outpatients found significant improvements in depression, anxiety and work ability after one year with solution focused therapy, but after five years the psychoanalysis control group showed greater improvements. A smaller RCT of 30 participants where 70% had depression and had been on sick leave for up to five months found significant increases in the percentage of days worked, the numbers who were working, psychological wellbeing and happiness after three months with solution focused group therapy compared to a waiting list control.

Given that both trials had limitations and were of poor quality, there is a lack of high quality evidence to answer this question. Further research is needed into solution focused therapy using larger trials, with longer follow-up periods, and also in comparison with psychoanalysis in suitable populations.

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