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Conventional Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depression: A Step-by-Step Protocol

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Published on: November 21, 2025

Problem-solving therapy for depression: a meta-analysis.

Alissa C Bell¹, Thomas J D'Zurilla

¹Stony Brook University, USA. alissa.bell@stonybrook.edu

Clinical Psychology Review

|March 21, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Problem-Solving Therapy (PST) effectively reduces depressive symptoms, performing comparably to other treatments and outperforming no treatment. Its efficacy is enhanced by including positive problem orientation and all core problem-solving skills.

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Clinical Psychology
Psychotherapy Research

Background:

Depression is a significant public health concern.
Cognitive-behavioral interventions are widely used for mental health conditions.
Problem-Solving Therapy (PST) is a specific cognitive-behavioral approach.

Purpose of the Study:

To conduct a meta-analysis of controlled outcome studies on the efficacy of Problem-Solving Therapy (PST).
To evaluate PST's effectiveness in reducing depressive symptomatology.
To identify key components contributing to PST's effectiveness.

Main Methods:

Meta-analysis of 21 independent controlled outcome studies.
Comparison of PST with other psychosocial therapies, medication, and control conditions.
Component analysis to determine the impact of specific PST elements.

Main Results:

PST demonstrated equal effectiveness compared to other psychosocial therapies and medication.
PST was significantly more effective than no treatment and support/attention controls.
Including positive problem orientation and all four problem-solving skills enhanced PST's efficacy.

Conclusions:

Problem-Solving Therapy is an effective intervention for reducing depressive symptoms.
The complete PST package, including problem orientation and all skill components, yields the best outcomes.
PST offers a valuable therapeutic option for managing depression.