E-ISSN : 2733-4538
Randomized controlled trial (RCT) is one of the gold standards of evidence for efficacy of psychotherapy that allows causal interpretations between a specific psychotherapeutic approach and outcomes. Thus, results from the RCTs are considered a basis for determining which psychotherapeutic approaches should be delivered to the public. In the current study, we aimed to systematically review psychotherapy RCTs conducted in South Korea and to analyze them according to the journals published in and their publication periods (i.e., 1983-2003, 2004-2006, 2007-2011, and 2012-2015). In addition, we have evaluated the quality of RCTs by employing the Randomized Controlled Trial of Psychotherapy Quality Rating Scale (RCT-PQRS). A total of 91 RCTs were finally selected for the current analysis. Four journals (i.e., Korean Journal of Counseling and Psychotherapy, Korean Journal of Clinical Psychology, Korean Journal of Health Psychology, and Korean Journal of East West Mind Science) were included in the analysis since they published at least five RCTs. The results showed that there were no differences in study characteristics (e.g., sample characteristics, types of psychotherapy) between the research periods whereas RCT quality scores have increased over time. Overall, RCTs published in Korean Psychological Association (KPA) Journals had greater RCT quality scores than those published in non-KPA Journals. In terms of the analysis of published journals, there were significant differences in study characteristics (e.g., sample characteristics, types of control groups, types of psychotherapy) between journals. Several issues and implications are discussed for researchers and policy makers in order to enhance quality of RCTs and to disseminate evidence-based information about efficient psychotherapeutic approaches to the public.
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