Cited by 139Psychotherapy Techniques and ApplicationsMeta-analysis and systematic reviewsHealth Policy Implementation Science

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Control condition design and implementation features in controlled trials: a meta-analysis of trials evaluating psychotherapy for depression

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Mohr, David C, Ho, Joyce, Hart, Tae L, Baron, Kelly G, Berendsen, Mark, Beckner, Victoria, Cai, Xuan, Cuijpers, Pim, Spring, Bonnie, Kinsinger, Sarah W, Schroder, Kerstin E, Duffecy, Jenna·2014·Translational Behavioral Medicine

DOI 10.1007/s13142-014-0262-3PMC PMC4286544

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Abstract

ABSTRACT: Control conditions are the primary methodology used to reduce threats to internal validity in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). This meta-analysis examined the effects of control arm design and implementation on outcomes in RCTs examining psychological treatments for depression. A search of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and EMBASE identified all RCTs evaluating psychological treatments for depression published through June 2009. Data were analyzed using mixed-effects models. One hundred twenty-five trials were identified yielding 188 comparisons. Outcomes varied significantly depending control condition design (p < 0.0001). Significantly smaller effect sizes were seen when control arms used manualization (p = 0.006), therapist training (p = 0.002), therapist supervision (p = 0.009), and treatment fidelity monitoring (p = 0.003). There were no significant effects for differences in therapist experience, level of expertise in the treatment delivered, or nesting vs. crossing therapists in treatment arms. These findings demonstrate the substantial effect that decisions regarding control arm definition and implementation can have on RCT outcomes.

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Authors: Mohr, D. C., Ho, J., Hart, T. L., Baron, K. G., Berendsen, M., Beckner, V., Cai, X., Cuijpers, P., Spring, B., Kinsinger, S. W., Schroder, K. E., & Duffecy, J.
Affiliations: Northwestern University (US)
Toronto Metropolitan University (CA)
University of California, San Francisco (US)
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (NL)
Corresponding author: Mohr, David C
ORCID: Mohr, David C
Ho, Joyce
Hart, Tae L
Baron, Kelly G
Berendsen, Mark
Cai, Xuan
Cuijpers, Pim
Spring, Bonnie
Kinsinger, Sarah W
Venue: Translational Behavioral Medicine
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published: 2014-05-02
Volume: 4
Issue: 4
Pages: 407-423
ISSN: 1613-9860 (ISSN-L)
1869-6716
DOI: 10.1007/s13142-014-0262-3
PMC: PMC4286544
OpenAlex: W2015937454
Cited by: 139
References: 31
Citations by year: 2026: 8 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 1
FWCI: 0.81
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: bronze
doi.org
Locations: Translational Behavioral Medicine (publishedVersion)
PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
VU Research Portal (publishedVersion)
Multilingual Matters (Channel View Publications) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
Funders: National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH095753, R01MH059708)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty › Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Policy Implementation Science
Keywords: control conditions, depression, psychotherapy, psychological intervention, internal validity, manualization, therapist training, therapist supervision, therapist experience

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Control condition design and implementation features in controlled trials: a meta-analysis of trials evaluating psychotherapy for depression

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