Short-term Group Therapy Research Articles

Acceptability and feasibility of a short-term group therapy for people with borderline personality disorder symptoms.

This study evaluated the acceptance, feasibility and safety of a short-term group program for adults (18 years and older) and youth (16 to 18 years) with borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms. Termed Road Maps, the content and development were informed by common treatment factors identified from evidence-based therapies for BPD. Two-hundred and eight people consented to participate in the research trial and completed baseline measures. Intervention participants rated the acceptability and subjective experience of the group. Attrition rates informed feasibility, and serious adverse events were tracked to identify potential harms. Participant post-group ratings of the group's acceptability and subjective experience were above average across both adult and youth populations. Attrition rate after commencement of group was 38% for adults and 27% among youth. The incidence rate of emergency department presentations was reduced by 41% in the 6 months post-group, relative to 6 months pre-group. The current study provides preliminary support for the acceptability and feasibility of a short-term group therapy program for people with a diagnosis of BPD. Road Maps may be a useful intermediate intervention in a broader model of stepped care. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, https://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12622000849796.aspx, (ACTRN12622000849796).

Psychotherapeutic approaches and methods and their effectiveness in treating orgasmic dysfunction in women

Orgasmic dysfunction is a sexual disorder in which an orgasm does not occur or is delayed. The prevalence of orgasmic dysfunction ranges from 16% to 28% in Europe, America and mainland China, and from 30% to 46% in other Asian countries. The causes may be physiological, neurological and psychosocial. A literature review was conducted to examine which psychotherapeutic approaches and methods are used in the treatment of orgasmic dysfunction and to examine the results of their effectiveness. All resources linked in this paper have been taken from sources contained in the Scopus or EbscoHost research databases. Throughout this paper we have researched all relevant research papers, removed any duplicates and by applying all the necessary criteria, we have concluded with 15 research articles. The therapeutic approaches and methods with proven efficacy in the treatment of orgasmic dysfunction are: group sex therapy and couples sex therapy, behavioural approaches (Master and Johnson methods, systematic desensitisation), mindfulness-based programmes (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy - MBCT, Mindfulness-Based Behavioural and Cognitive Therapy), The Betty Dodson Method (a combination of short-term psychodynamic group therapy and self-stimulation methods) and self-help programmes based on video tracking, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and MBCT, and psychosexual therapy manuals. Some self-help programmes also include minimal contact with a therapist. There is an overlap between these approaches (e.g. sex therapy integrates behavioural methods). The results and the review serve as a basis for the application of effective interventions and opportunities for improvement in the treatment of orgasmic dysfunction.

Examining the effect of intensive individual swallowing exercise therapy protocol on swallowing physiology in geriatric patients hospitalized in the thoracic diseases service with a complaint of major swallowing dysfunction with multiple prognoses

Objectives: The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of short-term (one month) and long-term (three months) individual swallowing therapy programs in the geriatric individuals diagnosed with dysphagia by instrumental evaluation. Patients and methods: Hospital records of 31 patients (16 females, 15 males; mean age: 66.8±16.4 years; range, 66 to 83 years) were prospectively examined between April 1, 2019, and September 30, 2022. Fiberoptic endoscopic swallowing study recordings were made at the beginning of the study. The recordings were scanned and examined, and individuals with observed problems in swallowing safety and efficacy, having the same severity of dysphagia, were identified. Patients were randomly assigned to long-term (51.2%; n=16; 8 males, 8 females) and short-term (48.8%; n=15; 7 males, 8 females) therapy groups. During fiberoptic endoscopy, patients were given food of different consistencies (thin liquid, honey, nectar, pudding, and solid consistency) according to the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative protocol, and they were evaluated before therapy and one week, one month, and three months after therapy using the penetration-aspiration scale and the Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Scale-Vallecula/Pyriform Sinus. Functional Oral Intake Scale and Turkish Eating Assessment Tool-10 (T-EAT-10) results were compared between the groups. An exercise-based individual swallowing therapy program of one and three months was applied to short-term and long-term therapy groups, respectively. Results: When the post-therapy penetration aspiration scores and pharyngeal residual severity scores of individuals receiving long-term and short-term therapy were compared, a higher score was found in the group receiving shortterm therapy than the long-term group, and a significant difference was found (p<0.001). Pharyngeal phase abnormalities were detected in 27 (88.4%) patients, whereas laryngeal penetration/aspiration status was found in 23 (75.3%) patients, and both variables were found to be significantly higher in the short-term group (p=0.015 and p=0.014, respectively). The T-EAT-10 scores obtained before therapy in the long-term therapy group were significantly higher than T-EAT-10 scores obtained at the third month after therapy (p=0.004, p<0.001, and p<0.05, respectively). Silent aspiration of thin liquid, nectar, and solid consistency was experienced in 78% of patients before therapy. Conclusion: Long-term swallowing therapy program appears to be more effective than short-term in geriatric individuals with dysphagia.

Renewed Feedback-Informed Group Treatment for Patients with Anxiety and Depressive Disorders.

Feedback-Informed Group Treatment (FIGT) shows promise for improving outcomes, but results are mixed. The aim was investigating the feasibility, acceptability and effects of renewed FIGT on clinical outcomes and therapy processes. In a quasi-experimental pilot study, 65 patients with anxiety or depressive disorders and 15 therapists of interpersonal psychotherapy or cognitive behavioural therapy groups using renewed FIGT were included. Renewed FIGT contained three additions compared to the previous tool: (1) personalized goals along with the Outcome Questionnaire-45 (OQ-45), (2) therapists' training, coaching and intervision, and (3) instructions to actively use feedback in the group. Data on feasibility, acceptability, outcomes and process factors were analysed and compared with those of historical cohorts using only OQ-45 feedback or no feedback, using descriptive, multilevel and covariance statistical analyses. Feasibility was mostly improved, with patients experiencing more feedback discussions and better usability compared to only OQ-45 feedback. At least two thirds of the patients and therapists give preference to using feedback in the future. At the end of the study, therapists were less convinced that the OQ-45 and goals were able to detect change. Renewed FIGT did not improve effectiveness on clinical outcomes. Compared to no feedback, patients experienced more cohesion, engagement and less avoidance, but improved less on depressive symptoms. Even when renewed FIGT is more feasible and usable than only OQ-45 feedback and associated with more cohesiveness and engagement, it may not automatically lead to improved effectiveness on clinical outcomes in short-term group therapy. Implications and future directions are described.

단기 마음챙김기반 집단상담이 사회불안과 자존감에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of short-term mindfulness-based group therapy (SMGT) on social anxiety and self-esteem in adults. The study was conducted in Busan, South Korea, and recruited 16 adults through the counseling center at OO University. The participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group participated in 5 weeks of weekly 2-hour SMGT. The control group did not receive any treatment. To measure the effects of the intervention, the participants completed pre-tests, post-tests, and follow-up tests at baseline, immediately
 after the intervention, and 5 weeks after the intervention. The Mindfullness Scale(MS) was used to measure mindfulness, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) was used to measure self-esteem, the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) was used to measure social anxiety, and the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (FNE) was used to measure the fear of negative evaluation. The results showed that SMGT was associated with significant improvements in mindfulness and self-esteem. However, there was no significant improvement in social anxiety. The study's implications were discussed at the end.

Rules of the game: board game design as a directive therapeutic intervention

The aim of this paper is to discuss the clinical rationale for designing a tailor-made board game as a therapeutic intervention in play therapy. Games are practiced in play therapy in directive and non-directive ways. Structured and directive approaches are used in individual and group therapy, and enable therapists to identify themes and work them through. A review of the literature concerning the use of games in psychotherapy is suggested in this paper, followed by a detailed rationale for a tailor-made rule-governed board game as a directive theme-focused intervention for short-term group psychotherapy. Such a board game, designed for processing termination in a group of severely deprived adolescent boys in their final year of long-term psychodynamic residential treatment is described. Therapeutic considerations for designing specific elements of the game are described in detail, as well as the symbolic language that served as a framework. Based on a description of clinical thinking used in the preparation of this board game, a discussion of the particular characteristics of designing tailor-made board games as a directive intervention in play therapy is suggested. The paper explains the need for a particular design of game for each specific therapeutic group, based on the identified needs of the participants, as well as on the aim of the intervention.

Unleashing the potential of chaos: How music therapists and young people can engage chaos as a resource in short-term music therapy groups

ABSTRACT Introduction Many music therapists propose that chaos, such as destructiveness and disintegration, could thwart music therapy group processes and should be minimised or resolved. From a paradoxical approach, however, chaos is understood as a transformative complement to ordered, formative music therapy experiences. The research in this paper explored how music therapists and adolescents could engage with chaos as a resource in music therapy groups. Method From a paradoxical approach, the music therapist--researcher facilitated two short-term group music therapy processes with nine young South Africans from under-resourced and often violent communities, referred for committing offences. The researcher utilised crystallisation, including constructivist grounded theory, participatory action research, and abduction, to analyse how group members could engage with chaotic group experiences. Findings, constructed through a cyclical process of data collection, analysis, and inclusion of group feedback, are presented in a matrix. Results The matrix shows how groups could utilise chaos to explore multiple possibilities for responding to challenges. They expressed themselves courageously and played unconventional group roles through their musicking and participation. They juggled paradoxical tensions between observational and active, integrative and disintegrative, engagement styles. This supported their transformation in the group, and potentially within the chaotic South African context. Discussion Music therapists can use the matrix to support adolescents in music therapy groups to engage with chaos as a transformative resource. They can accompany young people through offering holding, resources and collaborative support. When it is safe, music therapists may allow or encourage chaos that empowers adolescents to cope with challenges independently.

Short-Term Vs. Long-Term Glucocorticoids in COPD Exacerbation: A Comparative Efficacy Study

The current study aims to evaluate the comparative efficacy of short-term and long-term glucocorticoid treatment in patients with COPD exacerbation. A randomized clinical trial will compare the effectiveness of short-term and long-term glucocorticoid treatments in COPD exacerbation. One hundred ninety patients will be recruited and randomized into two groups: a short-term glucocorticoid group and a long-term glucocorticoid group. The primary outcomes will be assessed at the end of the treatment period to determine the efficacy of the treatments. Secondary effects will include quality of life, length of hospitalization, and adverse events. The results of this study will provide insight into the comparative efficacy of short-term and long-term glucocorticoid treatments in COPD exacerbation. Objective: Comparative efficacy of short-term (5-days) versus long-term (10-days) glucocorticoids at equivalent doses in managing COPD patients with acute exacerbations. Materials and Methods: Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, conducted this randomized clinical trial in the inpatient pulmonology department. This research took six months following ethical clearance. The experiment included 190 patients in two groups of 95. Patients in the two groups were randomly administered Tab—prednisolone 5mg (40mg/24 Hours) for five days or ten days. Using a carefully constructed pro-forma, postgraduate residents gathered data on five parameters (FEV1, FEV1/FVC, Arterial Blood Gases, mMRC Dyspnoea Scale, Sputum color and amount, presentation with identical symptoms within 30 days following discharge). Results: Patients averaged 58.13 ± 11.12. Long-term patients were 58.34 ± 11.53 years old, whereas short-term patients were 57.93 ± 10.752. The short-term group included 86 (90.53%) male and 9 (9.47%) female cases, whereas the long-term group had 89 (93.68%) male and 6 (6.32%) female cases. Sputum color was normal in all groups after therapy. Short-term and long-term therapy groups had mean FEV1 changes of 8.12±4.85 and 7.14± 1.75, respectively. Following treatment, short-term mMRC was significantly lower (2.14±0.32) than long-term (2.73±0.44), with p-value < 0.001. The short-term group mMRC mean change was 1.67±0.53 compared to the long-term group 1.07±0.26, p-value < 0.001. Sputum amounts changed by 2.63 ± 1.67 in the short-term and 2.49 ± 0.72 in the long-term groups. Both groups had similar mean sputum quantities before, after, and after treatment, with a p-value > 0.05. Both groups had the same ABG parameter mean change following therapy. One month after discharge, neither group relapsed. Conclusion: The efficacy of short-term (5-days) glucocorticoids is better than long-term (10-days) glucocorticoids at equivalent doses in terms of mMRC reduction. At the same time, the therapeutic effect was statistically the same in both groups regarding improvement in FEV1, sputum color, sputum quantity, all parameters of ABGs, and relapse rates. Keywords: COPD, exacerbation, glucocorticoids, efficacy

Short-term intensive group therapy in the clinical treatment of adolescents with the diagnosis of anorexia and bulimia nervosa at “Neuromed” Neuropsychiatry Centre in Wrocław

In some patients diagnosed with eating disorders the application of standard therapeutic modalities is ineffective or results in incomplete remission of symptoms. It is worth pointing out that 51–73% of patients discontinue their treatment. Therefore, there is an ongoing search for psychotherapeutic methods that would increase the effectiveness of treatment in this group of patients. One of them is psychodynamic group therapy. For adolescents, both when it comes to healthy teenagers and those meeting the criteria of psychological disorders, being in touch with their peers serves important developmental functions. Above all, it provides a chance to differentiate oneself from the family system and create a separate identity. The aim of the article is to describe our experience and work methods related to the provision of an intense, two-week-long group therapy for adolescent patients diagnosed with eating disorders. The role of pre-treatment psychotherapy consultations as well as inclusion and exclusion criteria will be discussed, as this form of therapy is directed at a selected group of patients. For several years now, group psychotherapy has been a part of outpatient treatment of patients with eating disorders at the “Neuromed” Neuropsychiatry Centre in Wrocław. The method relies on various elements such as psychoeducation and art therapy. Work techniques are reinforced by therapeutic dialogue, clarification, confrontation, and talking through the group process. The therapy is focused on activating the processes of introspection and mentalisation. The aims of group psychotherapy include gaining in-depth insights into the psychotherapeutic diagnosis, strengthening the motivation for treatment, addressing distorted body image, engaging in self-reflection, and increasing the awareness of functioning in interpersonal relationships.

Was geht „kurz“ in psychodynamischen Gruppenbehandlungen? Ein Therapieangebot aus der Praxis und ein vorsichtiges Plädoyer für neue Wege und neue Diskussionen

Referring to Manuel Becker’s article about new German legal options of short-term group therapy in this journal (2021, 57, S. 167-186) we reflect upon the impact factor of restricted time in psychodynamic group therapy and present a compact offer of short-term group therapy on three weekends, developed in clinical practice. We consider this concept a module between the new primary group therapeutic care and long-term psychodynamic group therapy. Feed-back and ideas of colleagues are welcome.

Effects of short-term existential group therapy for breast Cancer patients

ObjectivesCancer patients who suffer from existential difficulties, including fear of death, isolation, or loss of human relationships, try to accept these fears by exploring the meaning of their life. In particular, early psychological intervention for patients prevents them from psychosocial maladjustment afterwards. Therefore, we have developed the Short-term Existential Group Therapy Program (Short-term EGP) for cancer patients, focusing on relief of existential or spiritual suffering and/or pain. This study aims to statistically evaluate the effects of this program on breast cancer patients within the first year after cancer diagnosis.MethodsThirty-one patients completed our research program. A ninety-minute therapeutic group session was held once a week for 5 weeks. We performed the above assessments three times: just before and after the intervention, as well as a month after the end of intervention. Outcome assessment included measures of spiritual well-being (SELT-M), Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC) and Profile of Mood States (POMS).ResultsThe SELT-M “Overall QOL” scores were significantly increased after intervention, and these scores were maintained a month after intervention, particularly in those with high MAC “Hopelessness” scores. Subscales of the SELT-M scores were significantly increased after intervention, and these scores were maintained up to a month after intervention.ConclusionShort-term EGP intervention could be effective in helping patients relieve their existential distress. Some of the treatment effects were maintained a month after the end of the intervention. In addition, Short-term EGP could be particularly effective for those patients who feel hopelessness after cancer diagnosis.Trial registrationRetrospectively registered. University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN CTR) UMIN000040651. Registered June 4, 2020.

Early Versus Late Discontinuation of Maintenance Therapy in Multiple Myeloma

Background: Indefinite maintenance therapy after autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is the current standard of care in multiple myeloma (MM). However, in the real world, patients often discontinue treatment due to various reasons. In this study, we sought to analyze the effect of and reasons for early discontinuation of maintenance therapy on survival outcomes, studying patients who received less than 3 years of maintenance therapy (short-term maintenance group) or more than 3 years (continuous maintenance group).Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 340 patients who underwent ASCT from 2005-2016 and received maintenance therapy for at least six months without progression. The patients started maintenance therapy after 100 days of ASCT. Lenalidomide (89%) and bortezomib (10%) were the most commonly used agents for maintenance therapy. The primary endpoints included were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). All the endpoints were measured from the time of ASCT. The discontinuation was defined as permanently stopping the maintenance therapy. Patient, disease, and transplant-related characteristics were compared between the two groups using the Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables, and chi-squared or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. The probabilities of PFS and OS were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier (KM) method and compared using log-rank test.Results: One hundred and two (n= 102; 30%) patients discontinued maintenance therapy in the first 3 years (short-term maintenance group), while 238 patients remained on maintenance therapy for ≥ 3 years (continuous maintenance group). The groups had similar baseline characteristics in terms of age, gender, ISS staging, cytogenetics, response before ASCT, and melphalan dosing. About 20% of patients in both groups were older than 65 years. Among those alive at the last contact, the median follow up were 5.4 years and 6.1 years for the short-term and continuous maintenance therapy group, respectively. At the time of the last follow-up, 131/238 (55%) patients in the continuous maintenance group were still on maintenance therapy. The median PFS in the short-term maintenance group was 5.1 years (95% CI: 4.4-7.4) and median OS was 9.8 years (95% CI: 8.2- to NR), whereas in the continuous maintenance group both median PFS (95% CI: 8.5- NR) and OS were not reached. This latter group had significantly longer PFS and OS than the short-term maintenance group with a 5-year estimated PFS of 80% (95%CI: 74-85%) vs. 50% (95% CI: 39-60%) (p<0.001) and OS of 96% (95% CI: 92-98%) vs. 79% (95% CI: 69-86%) (p<0.001) (Figure 1). This remained significant after adjusting for race, post-transplant remission status and ISS staging, with an hazard ratio for risk of relapse or death of 0.31, 95% CI: 0.21-0.45; and HR for risk of death of 0.34, 95% CI: 0.18-0.64.The most common reasons for early discontinuation of maintenance therapy (< 3 years) were adverse events related to maintenance therapy (58%). Four patient (4%) patients developed second primary malignancy (SPM) in this group. The most frequent hematological adverse events (AEs) were pancytopenia and isolated neutropenia. Fatigue and diarrhea were the most common non-hematological AEs. The reasons for stopping maintenance in the continued maintenance group were disease progression (24%) and adverse events (14%), while five patients (2%) developed SPM.Conclusion: In our institutional experience, 30 percent of MM patients discontinued maintenance therapy within 3 years of ASCT due to AEs or patient preference. These patients had inferior PFS and OS after ASCT compared to patients on continuous maintenance. Therefore, continuation of maintenance therapy should be strongly encouraged as safely possible and strategies like dose reduction or switching therapy are recommended. [Display omitted] DisclosuresBumma: Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau.

Poor suitability for psychotherapy – a risk factor for treatment non-attendance?

BackgroundPatient suitability has been suggested to predict treatment non-attendance but information on its effect is limited. AimTo study the prediction of the Suitability for Psychotherapy Scale (SPS), on occurrence of treatment non-attendance. MethodsAltogether 326 outpatients, with depressive or anxiety disorder, were randomized to short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (SPP), long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (LPP), and solution-focused therapy (SFT). SPS was based on seven components from three suitability domains: nature of problems, ego strength, and self-observing capacity. Treatment non-attendance was defined as refusal of engaging therapy and of premature termination. The Cox model and logistic regression were used. ResultsTreatment non-attendance was significantly more common in LPP patients with poor SPS (RR = 2.76, 95% CI = 1.45-5.26). This was mainly due to poor flexibility of interaction, poor self-concept, and poor reflective ability. Premature termination in SFT showed a similar trend but due to other SPS components: absence of a circumscribed problem, poor modulation of affects, and poor response to trial interpretation. On the contrary, individuals with good values of SPS were more prone to premature termination in SPP. LimitationsThe prediction of suitability on refusal could only be studied in the LPP group due to few refusals in the short-term therapy groups. The sample consisted of patients who participated in a trial. Thus the findings may not be directly generalized to unselected patients in the public mental health setting. ConclusionsPoor suitability, apparently, predicts non-attendance in LPP and SFT, but not in SPP. More studies on large cohorts are needed.

PM-13 Sexual and Moral Abuse in Childhood, Treated During Short-Term Therapy Group

PM-13 Sexual and Moral Abuse in Childhood, Treated During Short-Term Therapy Group

PM-14 Short Term Group Psychotherapy for Male and Female Sexual Dysfunction

PM-14 Short Term Group Psychotherapy for Male and Female Sexual Dysfunction

Efficacy of a short-term residential smoking cessation therapy versus standard outpatient group therapy (\u2018START-Study\u2019): study protocol of a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundIn Germany, evidence-based outpatient smoking cessation therapies are widely available. Long-term abstinence rates, however, are limited. Studies suggest that short-term residential therapy enables a higher level of environmental control, more intense contact and greater support among patients and from therapists, which could result in higher abstinence rates. The aim of the current START-study is to investigate the long-term efficacy of a short-term residential therapy exclusively for smoking cessation, conducted by a mobile team of expert therapists.MethodsA randomized controlled trial (RCT) is conducted to examine the efficacy of residential behavior therapeutic smoking cessation therapy compared to standard outpatient behavior therapeutic smoking cessation group therapy. Adult smokers consuming 10 or more cigarettes per day, who are willing to stop smoking, are randomized in a ratio of 1:1 between therapy groups. The primary endpoint is sustained abstinence for 6-month and 12-month periods. Secondary endpoints include smoking status after therapy, 7-day point abstinence after the 6-month and 12-month follow-ups, level of physical dependence, cost-effectiveness, use of nicotine replacement products, health-related quality of life, self-efficacy expectation for tobacco abstinence, motivational and volitional determinants of behavior change, self-reported depressive symptom severity, adverse events and possible side effects. Assessments will take place at baseline, post-therapy, and at 6-month and 12-month intervals after smoking cessation.DiscussionThere is a high demand for long-term effective smoking cessation therapies. This study represents the first prospective RCT to examine the long-term efficacy of a residential smoking cessation therapy program compared to standard outpatient group therapy as an active control condition. The residential therapeutic concept may serve as a new model to substantially enhance future cessation therapies and improve the understanding of therapeutic impact factors on tobacco abstinence. Utilizing a mobile team, the model could be applied efficiently to medical centers that do not have permanent and trained personnel for smoking cessation at their disposal.Trial registrationGerman Register for Clinical Trials (Deutsches Register für Klinische Studien), DRKS00013466. Retrospectively registered on 1 April 2019. https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=start.

Group Intervention with Parents of Juvenile Sex Offenders

ABSTRACTThis article presents a short-term psycho-educational group therapy model of 14 bi-weekly 90-minute meetings with parents of male juvenile sex offenders. The program is used by youth probation services in Israel as part of a multi-systemic treatment program. The group was designed for parents whose children had been convicted of a variety of sex offenses in a juvenile court, and who had been referred to the youth probation service for court-ordered treatment. The group therapy was aimed at involving the parents in the therapeutic process, promoting the offenders’ rehabilitation, and to maintain the improvement achieved through the treatment. The results show that the combination of emotional support, provision of information and knowledge, and parental guidance can empower the parents to be a supportive, directive authority in supervising their children, thereby helping to prevent their recidivism to sexually offensive behavior.

Anna: A single-case efficacy study on the use of psychodrama group therapy with a student who has Mathematics Anxiety

In this article of the Zeitschrift fur Psychodrama und Soziometrie the effectiveness of a short-term psychodrama group therapy on high-school students suffering from mathematics anxiety is investigated. On the basis of Elliott’s Hermeneutic Single Case Efficacy Design (HSCED) the results of the therapy of one participant, a 19-year-old female student, are presented. The analysis of the quantitative research data collected with Personal Questionnaire and those of the qualitative research data based on the Client Change Interview show significant pre-post treatment differences. The Rich Case Record on therapy process and outcome supports the hypothesis that psychodrama group sessions bring about changes in the severity ratings of the subject’s problem areas.

Changes in ego strength in patients with neurotic and personality disorders treated with a short-term comprehensive psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Analysis of changes in ego strength in the course of group psychotherapy in patients treated with neurotic and selected personality disorders (F40-F61, ICD-10). 82 patients (61 women and 21 men) participated in the study. They underwent intensive short-term group psychotherapy treatment in a day hospital for neurotic and behavioural disorders. The assessment of the patients' personality functioning was carried out at the onset and the end of the psychotherapy. The assessment was reported as a value on the ego strength scale by means of the MMPI-2 questionnaire. The comparative analysis with the use of the t-Student test for related measurements, which was carried out for the measurement of ego strength values at the onset and the end of the therapy, demonstrated a statistically significant positive change both for the entire examined group and the groups which considered the gender and diagnosis distribution. Short-term intensive comprehensive group psychotherapy with elements of individual psychotherapy results in obtaining the desired changes in the personality functioning manifested through the increase in ego strength.

Trait and state anxiety in patients treated with intensive short-term group psychotherapy for neurotic and personality disorders.

The study aimed to determine the severity of trait and state anxiety in patients treated for neurotic and personality disorders with intensive, short-term group psychotherapy and to analyse the change of anxiety intensity in the course of treatment. 116 patients (81 females and 35 males) participated in the study. The measurement of anxiety intensity was conducted with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) at the beginning and at the end of treatment. The majority of patients (69% of the study group) demonstrated a high intensity of state anxiety at the beginning of the treatment with 47.4% being classified as very high. High intensity of trait anxiety was observed in 64.7% of participants (50.9% -very high). RCI (Reliable Change Index) and RCV (Reliable Change Value) indicated a significant change in state anxiety intensity in 62.1% of participants (48.3% - significant decrease, 13.8% increase). At the end of treatment more than a half of patients manifested medium and low intensity of both trait and state anxiety. At the beginning of psychotherapy the majority of patients demonstrated high intensity of both trait and state anxiety. In the course of therapy a considerable reduction of intensity of trait and state anxiety is observed. Significant deterioration in trait anxiety is observed in one out of every thirteen treated patients. Polish adaptation of STAI questionnaire is a useful tool for monitoring effectiveness of psychotherapy and may be successfully applied for screening and detailed diagnosis of neurotic and personality disorders.