SynthesisBMC psychology2026
Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy for social anxiety disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Synthesis in BMC psychology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Anna vs. Judith: A randomized comparison of AI-delivered psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral therapies for social anxiety disorder.Internet interventions · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundAlthough established treatments for social anxiety disorder (SAD) are effective, a substantial proportion of patients does not respond. This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of psychodynamic therapy (PDT) by assessing its short- and long-term effects on social anxiety symptoms, as well as on secondary measures of depressive symptoms.
methodsA systematic literature search following PICO criteria identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of PDT for SAD published since 1980. Study quality was assessed using the Randomized Controlled Trial Psychotherapy Quality Rating Scale and the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. At treatment termination, between-group effect sizes were pooled using random effect models. Long-term effects were explored using between- and within-group analyses, depending on available follow-up data.
resultsEleven eligible RCTs (n = 1167), evaluating short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) were identified. In SAD symptoms, STPP was superior to waitlist controls (k = 6) with a large pooled effect (g = − 0.97, 95% CI: -1.27 to -0.12). Compared with active treatment conditions (k = 9), no significant differences were observed (g = 0.01, 95% CI: − 0.14 to 0.15). Study quality significantly moderated effects in comparisons with passive controls only, with lower-quality studies reporting larger effects (β = 0.02). No differences in dropout rates were observed. Available follow-up data indicated that gains in social anxiety symptoms were maintained, with some evidence of continued improvement over time.
conclusionThese findings suggest that STPP may be an effective and acceptable treatment for SAD. Future studies should include active treatment comparisons, assess long-term outcomes, and examine mechanisms of change.
trial registrationPROSPERO database with ID CRD420250656024.
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Registered trials
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