The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-analyses

The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-analyses

2012 October 1; 36(5): 427–440. | Stefan G. Hofmann, Ph.D., Anu Asnaani, M.A., Imke J.J. Vonk, M.A., Alice T. Sawyer, M.A., and Angela Fang, M.A.
This review provides a comprehensive survey of meta-analyses examining the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for various psychological disorders and problems. The authors identified 269 meta-analytic studies, focusing on 106 representative meta-analyses across a wide range of issues, including substance use disorder, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, eating disorders, insomnia, personality disorders, anger and aggression, criminal behaviors, general stress, distress due to medical conditions, chronic pain, and pregnancy complications. The evidence base for CBT is generally strong, with particularly high efficacy for anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, bulimia, anger control problems, and general stress. CBT showed higher response rates than control conditions in 7 out of 11 studies comparing it to other treatments. However, the review also highlights the need for more high-quality randomized controlled trials, especially for specific subgroups such as ethnic minorities and low-income populations. The authors conclude that while CBT is widely studied and effective, further research is necessary to refine its strategies and expand its application.This review provides a comprehensive survey of meta-analyses examining the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for various psychological disorders and problems. The authors identified 269 meta-analytic studies, focusing on 106 representative meta-analyses across a wide range of issues, including substance use disorder, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, eating disorders, insomnia, personality disorders, anger and aggression, criminal behaviors, general stress, distress due to medical conditions, chronic pain, and pregnancy complications. The evidence base for CBT is generally strong, with particularly high efficacy for anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, bulimia, anger control problems, and general stress. CBT showed higher response rates than control conditions in 7 out of 11 studies comparing it to other treatments. However, the review also highlights the need for more high-quality randomized controlled trials, especially for specific subgroups such as ethnic minorities and low-income populations. The authors conclude that while CBT is widely studied and effective, further research is necessary to refine its strategies and expand its application.
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