Common Factors Group Psychotherapy for Mental Illness

Overseen By Drew Whittington, MS, MA

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Must not be taking: Narcotics

Disqualifiers: Self-harm, Suicide attempt, Eating disorder, Hallucinations, others

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The current research will investigate the impact of general psychotherapy using common factors (i.e., techniques and communication skills that are common to all major forms of psychotherapy) to investigate whether mental health professionals can treat a variety of mental health concerns utilizing this general form of psychotherapy as opposed to specific forms of psychotherapy that may require specific trainings or education.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it does mention that participants should not have used narcotics like heroin, meth, crack cocaine, or opioids in the last 7 days.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Common Factors Group Psychotherapy for mental illness?

Research shows that group psychotherapy can significantly improve mental health for patients with various conditions, including depression and schizophrenia. Studies indicate that both inpatient and outpatient group therapy can be effective, with increased attendance leading to better outcomes. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Common Factors Group Psychotherapy generally safe for humans?

Research shows that adverse events (unwanted effects) can occur in group psychotherapy, affecting more than one in ten participants, with serious events in more than one in 21 participants. Monitoring for these events is important, but not always consistently done in psychotherapy trials. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How does Common Factors Group Psychotherapy differ from other treatments for mental illness?

Common Factors Group Psychotherapy is unique because it focuses on the shared elements across different therapeutic approaches, emphasizing self-understanding, self-disclosure, and learning from interactions with others. Unlike individual therapy, it leverages the dynamics of a group setting to enhance social learning and insight into personal motivations, making it particularly effective for improving interpersonal relationships and addressing social aspects of mental health. ^{1 3 4 11 12}

Research Team

Drew Whittington, MS, MA

Principal Investigator

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Nicholas Borgogna, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 who feel they are struggling with psychological distress, such as anxiety, stress, depression, PTSD or other mental health concerns. It's not suitable for individuals seeking specific types of psychotherapy that require specialized training.

Inclusion Criteria

I am feeling emotionally distressed.

I am at least 18 years old.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive general psychotherapy using common factors for 6 weeks

6 weeks

Weekly sessions (in-person or virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Common Factors Group Psychotherapy (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial Overview The study tests Common Factors Group Psychotherapy to see if general techniques used in all major forms of psychotherapy can help with various mental disorders without needing specific therapy forms.

Participant Groups

Group I: Common Factors Group Therapy Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

We will use a general common factors psychotherapy utilizing only psychotherapeutic techniques common to most forms of psychotherapy (e.g., listening and communication skills)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,677

Recruited

2,458,000+

Findings from Research

Group psychotherapy is a versatile treatment method that includes various approaches, such as activity, analytic, and psychodrama, tailored to meet the needs of different patient diagnoses, including drug dependence and schizophrenia.

Patients with different conditions, like depression and neuroses, benefit from group therapy in unique ways; for instance, depressives may take longer to integrate but find relief once they do, while neurotics gain insights that can lead to improved social behavior.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The different kinds of group psychotherapy with patients with different diagnoses. Battegay, R.[2019]

Inpatient-outpatient group psychotherapy combines both inpatient and outpatient approaches, which may enhance treatment effectiveness for patients compared to standard methods.

This therapeutic method is evaluated for its applicability in standard treatment, suggesting it could be a valuable addition to contemporary psychotherapy practices.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Inpatient-ambulatory psychoanalytic group therapy, a useful concept]. Senf, W.[2009]

A study involving 98 outpatients in Tyrol, Austria, demonstrated that short-term group psychotherapy significantly improved symptoms of depression, anxiety, and somatization, with medium to large effect sizes, indicating its effectiveness as a treatment for mental health issues.

The results suggest that treatment expectations play a crucial role in perceived benefits, emphasizing the importance of offering group psychotherapy at no cost to enhance accessibility and support for individuals with mental health challenges.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Large improvement of mental health during in outpatient short-term group psychotherapy treatment-a naturalistic pre-/post-observational study. Riedl, D., Labek, K., Gstrein, I., et al.[2023]

Group psychotherapy is increasingly recognized as an effective treatment method that combines social interaction and psychological insight, allowing patients to explore unconscious motivations and learn from each other in a supportive environment.

The success of group psychotherapy relies more on the therapist's commitment and facilitation skills than on the specific therapeutic approach used, highlighting the importance of a group-centered rather than leader-centered dynamic.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Group psychotherapy in psychiatry]. Battegay, R.[2006]

Increasing attendance in group psychotherapy from one to two sessions per day for 2,782 inpatients led to improved patient and staff-rated outcomes and reduced readmission rates within one month of discharge.

Despite the positive effects on outcomes, patient satisfaction ratings decreased, suggesting that while more therapy sessions can enhance treatment effectiveness, it may not always align with patient preferences.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Best practices: increased attendance in inpatient group psychotherapy improves patient outcomes. Page, AC., Hooke, GR.[2022]

Group therapy has become more popular due to its effectiveness and cost benefits, but it's crucial to evaluate the psychological risks associated with these interventions.

The author suggests that instead of focusing on single risk factors for negative outcomes in group therapy, an interactional model should be used to better understand and mitigate these risks.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse outcomes in group psychotherapy: risk factors, prevention, and research directions. Roback, HB.[2022]

Current clinical trials for behavioral health interventions often do not monitor adverse events as thoroughly as those for medications and medical devices, focusing mainly on serious incidents like suicide attempts and hospitalizations.

There is a need for expanded monitoring of adverse events in psychotherapy trials to better inform patients about potential risks, including temporary increases in anxiety, which are often overlooked but can impact treatment outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The need for expanded monitoring of adverse events in behavioral health clinical trials. Peterson, AL., Roache, JD., Raj, J., et al.[2012]

In a study of 180 in-patients undergoing group psychotherapy, 60-65% reported experiencing adverse events such as mood deterioration or unwanted treatment reactions, indicating that these therapies can have significant negative effects for many individuals.

The study found that while reports of unwanted treatment reactions decreased over time, they were negatively associated with symptom improvement, and 34% of patients prematurely terminated their therapy, highlighting the need to consider patient characteristics and group conditions as predictors of adverse events.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse events of group psychotherapy in the in-patient setting - results of a naturalistic trial. Schneibel, R., Wilbertz, G., Scholz, C., et al.[2019]

A systematic review of 85 randomized controlled trials involving 14,420 participants found that adverse events (AEs) from psychotherapy can affect more than 10% of participants, with serious AEs occurring in more than 1 in 21 participants.

The study highlighted that the reporting and recording of AEs were inconsistent across trials, suggesting a need for standardized harm monitoring to better evaluate the risks and benefits of psychotherapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse events in psychotherapy randomized controlled trials: A systematic review. Klatte, R., Strauss, B., Flückiger, C., et al.[2023]

Brief group psychotherapy has shown effectiveness in treating various adult patient conditions, as supported by a review of controlled and comparison studies.

The paper highlights barriers to implementing brief group interventions and recommends increasing their use in managed mental health settings to improve patient care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Brief group treatment and managed mental health care. Rosenberg, SA., Zimet, CN.[2019]

Group psychotherapy is an effective and resource-efficient treatment option for common psychological issues, particularly for patients with problematic interpersonal relationships, impulsive behaviors, or transference issues that may hinder individual therapy.

The success of group therapy heavily relies on the support and belief of the referring physician, who plays a key role in facilitating the patient's transition to this therapeutic modality.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Whom to refer for group psychotherapy. Grunebaum, H., Kates, W.[2019]

In a study involving six long-term outpatient psychotherapy groups, both patients and therapists emphasized the importance of self-understanding, self-disclosure, and learning from interpersonal actions as key therapeutic factors.

However, there was a notable difference in how patients and therapists perceived the overall importance of these factors in the therapy process, indicating a potential gap in understanding therapeutic dynamics.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Perceptions by patients and therapists of therapeutic factors in group psychotherapy. Bloch, S., Reibstein, J.[2019]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The different kinds of group psychotherapy with patients with different diagnoses. [2019]

2. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Inpatient-ambulatory psychoanalytic group therapy, a useful concept]. [2009]

3. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Large improvement of mental health during in outpatient short-term group psychotherapy treatment-a naturalistic pre-/post-observational study. [2023]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Group psychotherapy in psychiatry]. [2006]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Best practices: increased attendance in inpatient group psychotherapy improves patient outcomes. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse outcomes in group psychotherapy: risk factors, prevention, and research directions. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The need for expanded monitoring of adverse events in behavioral health clinical trials. [2012]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse events of group psychotherapy in the in-patient setting - results of a naturalistic trial. [2019]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse events in psychotherapy randomized controlled trials: A systematic review. [2023]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Brief group treatment and managed mental health care. [2019]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Whom to refer for group psychotherapy. [2019]

12. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Perceptions by patients and therapists of therapeutic factors in group psychotherapy. [2019]