A systematic review and meta-analysis of transdiagnostic cognitive behavioural therapies for emotional disorders

This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the short- and long-term efficacy of transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy (TD-CBT) for emotional disorders. 53 studies (6,705 participants) showed TD-CBT had larger effects on depression (g = 0.74) and anxiety (g = 0.77) than control treatments. TD-CBT was superior to waitlist and treatment-as-usual across treatment formats (individual, group, internet-based). Comparable effects were seen between TD-CBT and disorder-specific CBT for depression, with TD-CBT showing superiority for depression but not anxiety against other active treatments. TD-CBT's superiority over controls persisted at 3, 6, and 12 months but not at 24 months. Study heterogeneity and methodological quality varied.

Carmen Schaeuffele, Laura E. Meine, Ava Schulz, Maxi C. Weber, Angela Moser, Christina Paersch, Dominique Recher, Johanna Boettcher, Babette Renneberg, Christoph Flückiger, Birgit Kleim