Getting positive results in a properly don trial of two active psychotherapies is hard, as the generic therapeutic effect is quite significant. There are ways of cheating, such as using wait list comparisons (who get nothing but a place for therapy) but such studies are needed.
In this study, an specific, scripted therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy, was compared with supportive therapy. Two parts of the paper.
Firestly, the group managed to keep most patients engaged, in both groups.
Secondly, the specific therapy was little more effective.
A specific therapy which is measured is better than an unspecific therapy that is measured. Both are better than an unstructured, unmeasured therapy. But the number of papers that show small differences are large, for most psychotherapy researchers are good at talking therapies, and the person matters in any such work.
UPDATE.
Presented this at grand wound. A long discussion about the applicability o such research. I’m appending the slides
Jmn;c;ub23Feb
Something went screwy with the way this post is showing itself. I was just getting into it, and came to “If you ” and it just stopped.
Hmmmm. I have had emails clearly being hacked. Will need to look when I get home. The paper is unfortunately behind a paywall…
… Now fixed, and as O presented this at grand round, I have appended the slides.