The efficacy of psychodynamic therapy for social anxiety disorder-A comprehensive meta-analysis

Qiqi Zhang; Pengcheng Yi; Gi Song; Kangkang Xu; Yi Wang; Jiayuan Liu; Zhao Chen; Haifeng Zhang; Lijun Ma; Wen Liu; Xiaoming Li

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114403

The efficacy of psychodynamic therapy for social anxiety disorder-A comprehensive meta-analysis

Psychiatry Res. 2022 Mar:309:114403. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114403. Epub 2022 Jan 17.

Authors

Qiqi Zhang¹, Pengcheng Yi², Gi Song³, Kangkang Xu⁴, Yi Wang⁵, Jiayuan Liu⁶, Zhao Chen⁵, Haifeng Zhang⁵, Lijun Ma⁷, Wen Liu⁸, Xiaoming Li⁹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui Province, China; Department of Medical Psychology, School of Mental Health and Psychological Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; Department of Clinical Medical, the First Clinical Medical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
² Department of Clinical Psychology, The Third People's Hospital of Xiangshan County, Zhejiang, China.
³ Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
⁴ Department of Clinical Medicine, the second Clinical Medical College, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
⁵ Department of Clinical Medical, the First Clinical Medical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
⁶ Department of Medical Anesthesia, the first Clinical Medical College, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
⁷ Department of Medical Psychology, School of Mental Health and Psychological Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; Department of Psychology, School of Education, Anqing Normal University, Anqing, Anhui, China.
⁸ Affiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Anhui, China; Anhui Mental Health Center, Anhui, China. Electronic address: 1821234633@qq.com.
⁹ Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui Province, China; Department of Medical Psychology, School of Mental Health and Psychological Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China. Electronic address: psyxiaoming@126.com.

PMID: 35093700
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114403

Abstract

The efficacy of psychodynamic therapy (PDT) on social anxiety disorder (SAD) is controversial among different randomized controlled trials (RCTs), so we decide to conduct a comprehensive meta-analysis to study the efficacy of PDT on SAD. Relevant literatures were searched in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO, Clinical Trails, and Ovid Medline. Twelve RCTs including 1,213 patients were identified. The primary analysis showed that the efficacy of PDT was weaker than the active group (SMD = 0.15 [0.02, 0.28]) and stronger than the inactive group (SMD = -0.77 [-0.95, -0.58]). It suggested that there was significant difference between individual PDT and group PDT (Chi² = 2.84, P = 0.09), and no difference between PDT and CBT on SAD and in the dropout rate. Secondary analysis suggested that depression may be alleviated concurrently (SMD = -0.20 [-0.40, 0.00]). Meta-regression analysis revealed no linear associations between dropout rate and effect size (t = 0.79, P = 0.449), neither does the dose-response relationship between session and effect size (t = -0.01, P = 0.992). These findings demonstrated that PDT could produce significant SAD symptoms reduction and supported its application in treating SAD.

Keywords: Meta-analysis; Psychodynamic therapy; Randomized controlled trials; Social anxiety disorder.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Anxiety / therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*
Humans
Phobia, Social* / therapy
Psychotherapy
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic