Table 1 Example diseases and problems for which CBT is expected to be effective (Cochrane reviews)
Major disease conditions | Summary of evidence | Update |
|---|---|---|
Psychiatric disorders: Depression, general | ‘Third -wave’ CBT as effective treatment of acute depression Reduced depressive symptoms in dementia and mild cognitive impairment Improved response and remission rates for treatment-resistant depression Reduced depressive symptoms in children with long-term physical conditions Reduced depressive symptoms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Reduced depressive symptoms in dialysis patients Reduced the number of sickness absence days in workers | October 2013 January 2014 May 2018 December 2018 March 2019 December 2019 October 2020 |
Anxiety, general Obsessive–compulsive disorder Panic disorder | Reduced anxiety symptoms in adults by “media-delivered CBT” (self-help) Reduced anxiety symptoms in dementia and mild cognitive impairment Reduced anxiety symptoms in adults by therapist-supported internet CBT Reduced anxiety symptoms in children with long-term physical conditions Effective for attention control in children and adolescents Effective in children and adolescents with this disorder Effective in adults with this disorder Efficacy of both CBT alone and CBT and antidepressants Efficacy of both CBT and benzodiazepines | September 2013 January 2014 March 2016 December 2018 November 2020 October 2006 April 2007 January 2007 January 2009 |
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Social anxiety disorder | Effective in children and adolescents for up to 1 month following CBT Reduced clinician-assessed PTSD symptoms in adults Reduced PTSD symptoms when used as couple and family therapies Reduced social phobia via brief CBT | December 2012 December 2013 December 2019 September 2018 |
Acute stress disorder | Reduced acute traumatic stress symptoms via brief trauma-focused CBT | March 2010 |
Attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder | Beneficial for treating adults with this disorder in the short term | March 2018 |
Bulimia nervosa Hypochondriasis Somatoform disorder | Efficacy of a specific manual-based form of CBT for bulimia nervosa Reduced hypochondriacal symptoms and general functioning Reduced symptom severity in adults with somatoform disorders | October 2009 October 2007 November 2014 |
Physical diseases: Breast cancer | Improved survival at 12 months (metastatic) Favorable effects on anxiety, depression and mood disturbance (non-metastatic) | June 2013 May 2015 |
Chronic fatigue syndrome Fibromyalgia | Reduced fatigue symptoms Reduced pain, negative mood, and disability | July 2008 September 2013 |
Irritable bowel syndrome Recurrent abdominal pain | Reduced symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and improved quality of life Reduced pain in the short term in children and adolescents | January 2009 January 2017 |
Tinnitus | Reduced negative impacts on quality of life and depression | January 2020 |
Behavioral and other problems: Antisocial behaviors Benzodiazepine use Burden of care for dementia Early behavioral problems Needle-related problems Obesity and overweight Occupational stress Problem gambling Self-harm Sexual abuse | Reduced antisocial behaviors in young people in the short term Effective in the short term for reducing benzodiazepine harmful use Reduced psychological stress in family caregivers of people with dementia Improved child conduct problems, parental mental health, and parenting skills Reduced children’s needle-related pain and distress in children and adolescents Reduced weight, predominantly useful when combined with diet and exercise Reduced stress at work in healthcare workers Reduced pathological and problem gambling behaviors immediately after CBT Resulted in fewer adults repeatedly self-poisoning and self-injuring Reduced symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression in children | October 2007 May 2015 November 2011 February 2012 October 2018 April 2005 April 2015 November 2012 May 2016 May 2012 |
Smoking | Effective for smoking cessation in indigenous populations | January 2012 |