[Evaluation of outpatient psychodynamic psychotherapy: results of a controlled field study ].

OBJECTIVES: The discussion about the effectivity of psychodynamic psychotherapy is being renewed by recent meta-analyses. Although some well-designed studies have been presented, there is still a dearth of research in this field.

METHODS: In a controlled prospective field study we investigated the outcome of outpatient psychodynamic psychotherapy in a pre-post design. This evaluation includes data from the symptom inventories VDS90, VDS30, and HEALTH for 90 patients with different mental disorders before therapy and after the regular end of therapy, compared to a waiting list control group.

RESULTS: We found a significant improvement in symptoms, dysfunctional personality features, and quality of life. Rates of statistically and clinically significant improvement were markedly higher after therapy than in the waiting list condition.

CONCLUSIONS: Psychodynamic psychotherapy shows an effect on symptoms, dysfunctional personality features, and quality of life.