Helsinki Psychotherapy Study
Helsinki Psychotherapy Study
Schedule of collection
The recruitment of patients was started in 1994. The first treatments were started in 1995 and the last in 2000. The follow-up of patients is scheduled to continue at least until 2012.
Ways of collection
Patients were initially assessed before being randomly assigned to the different treatments. After this, the assessments were repeated during and after treatment, a total of 14 times during the follow-up. Information was collected using questionnaires, videotaped interviews, psychological tests, and laboratory measurements.
Additional information regarding health and service utilization was annually collected from nationwide population registers from the start of the study to the end of the follow-up. Register data consisted of prescription medication, periods of hospital treatment, use of rehabilitation services, causes of death, and income taxes.
Information on therapists was collected at baseline and on therapy process at each measurement period during the entire study treatment.
Extent of measurements
The assessments were completed at the baseline examination and during the follow-up after 3, 7, and 9 months and 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 years. Questionnaires were administered on almost all of these occasions and at the time of termination of the study treatment. The questionnaires administered after 3 and 9 months, and 1.5, 2, 4, 6, and 10 years were brief. Interviews were completed at baseline and repeated twice during the first year, i.e. at 7 months and 1 year, and were thereafter carried out every second year until the 7 year follow-up. Psychological tests were carried out at baseline and repeated after 3 and 5 years of follow-up. Register data covered all of the measurement occasions.
Implementation of measurements
The decision on eligibility was made by a psychiatrist on the basis of a screening questionnaire and interview. Eligible patients completed an extensive set of baseline questionnaires, attended interviews, and participated in psychological and laboratory tests. Randomization and assignment to therapy were carried out after three baseline interview sessions. Patients assigned to psychoanalysis were subject to a similar assessment procedure, except for self-selection to the specific treatment and analyst. The follow-up schedule was started at the beginning of the therapy.
[2011, Nov 23rd.]
