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Conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of individual humanistic-experiential therapies (HEPs) for depression. Database searches (Scopus, Medline, and PsycINFO) identified RCTs comparing any HEP intervention with a treatment-as-usual (TAU) control or active alternative intervention for the treatment of depression. Included studies were assessed using the Risk of Bias 2 tool and narratively synthesized. Post-treatment and follow-up effect sizes were aggregated using random-effects meta-analysis and moderators of treatment effect were explored (PROSPERO: CRD42021240485). Seventeen RCTs, synthesized across four meta-analyzes, indicated HEP depression outcomes were significantly better than TAU controls at post-treatment (g = 0.41, 95% CI [0.18, 0.65], n = 735), but not significantly different at follow-up (g = 0.14, 95% CI [−0.30, 0.58], n = 631). HEP depression outcomes were comparable to active treatments at post-treatment (g = −0.09, 95% CI [−0.26, 0.08], n = 2131), but significantly favored non-HEP alternative interventions at follow-up (g = −0.21, 95% CI [−0.35, −0.07], n = 1196). Relative to usual care, HEPs are effective in the short-term and comparable to non-HEP alternative interventions at post-treatment, but not at follow-up. However, imprecision, inconsistency, and risk of bias concerns were identified as limitations of the evidence included. Future large-scale trials of HEPs with equipoise between comparator conditions are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines outcomes of the first randomized controlled trial of Regulation Focused Psychotherapy for Children (RFP-C), a manualized, short-term, psychodynamic intervention for decreasing symptoms of the oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in school-aged children. Participants (n = 43) were school-aged children who were randomly assigned to RFP-C or a waitlist control group. Symptoms of ODD and explicit emotion regulation capacities were assessed at baseline, end of waitlist, and end of treatment. Multilevel modeling was used to account for patient and therapist factors in outcomes. At the end of treatment, parents reported significant reductions in children's ODD symptoms on the primary outcome measure. There were no observed changes in explicit emotion regulation. Reliable change index scores indicated that 79.4% of children were recovered or improved after 10 weeks of treatment. There were no identifiable patient or therapist effects. Treatment adherence and completion was high. This study is the first randomized controlled trial of a manualized psychodynamic intervention for children with ODD. Participants demonstrated significant reductions in symptoms of ODD after 10 weeks of treatment. Further investigation is needed to compare RFP-C relative to active treatment, assess changes in implicit emotion, and to determine long-term maintenance of symptom improvement. Clinical trial registration information: Evaluation of Regulation Focused Psychotherapy for Children (RFP-C); [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brief transdiagnostic psychotherapy is a possible approach for emotional disorders in primary care. The objective of the present randomized controlled trial was to determine its effectiveness compared with the treatment as usual based on pharmacological interventions in patients with mild/moderate symptoms. In addition, emotional regulation strategies and cognitive factors were studied as potential predictors. Participants (N = 105) were assigned to brief group therapy based on the Unified Protocol (n = 53) or treatment as usual (n = 52). They were assessed before and after the interventions. Mean differences and stepwise regression analyses were performed. Brief group transdiagnostic psychotherapy was more effective than medication in reducing all clinical symptoms (p =.007 for generalized anxiety; p =.000 for somatization; p =.000 for panic disorder; and p =.041 for depression) and in modifying emotional regulation strategies and cognitive processes (p =.000 for cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression, worry, rumination, and metacognition) with moderate/high effect sizes. Besides, it was found that these variables acted as predictors of the therapeutic change. It is concluded that brief therapies could be an accurate treatment for mild/moderate emotional disorders in primary care due to their cost-effective characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]