Koppers D, Peen J, Niekderken S, et al.  Prevalence and risk factors for recurrence of depression five years after short term psychodynamic therapy. Journal of Affective Disorders.  2011;134(1-3): 468-472.

This study conducted a 5-year follow up of recurrence of depression after short supportive Psychodynamic Treatment alone or in combination with anti-depressant medication. In a sample of 52 patients, 42% had one or more recurrences. There was no significant difference between the group who had received psychotherapy and the group who had received combined therapy.  Young women and patients with more residual depressive symptoms and less bodily symptoms directly after treatment were more at risk for recurrence.  The long-term efficacy of Psychodynamic Treatment (with or without antidepressants) seems to be comparable with other psychotherapies for depression.

Hsiao FH, Jow GM,  Lai YM, et al.  The long-term effects of psychotherapy added to pharmacotherapy on morning to evening diurnal cortisol patterns in outpatients with major depression. Psychotherapy & Psychosomatics.  80(3):166-72, 2011.

Psychotherapy plus antidepressants results in greater depression improvement than antidepressants alone.  Sixty-three patients with major depressive disorder were randomly assigned to one of two groups: 29 to combined therapy (COMB) consisting of 8 weekly body-mind-spirit psychotherapy sessions plus antidepressants and 34 to antidepressants only.  While the decreases in symptoms of depression were similar in both groups, the reductions in anxiety state were greater in combined therapy than single therapy during the 8-month follow-up. The superior outcomes of group psychotherapy added to antidepressant therapy may relate to decreasing anxiety and to producing long-term impacts on positive stress endocrine outcomes seen as a steeper daily cortisol pattern.

Sharpley CF.  A review of the neurobiological effects of psychotherapy for depression. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training.  47(4):603-15, 2010 Dec.

Clinical studies have shown that different forms of psychotherapy may be effective for depression. This article reviews the evidence on the neurobiological effects of psychotherapy for depression and suggests how it might restore neuroendocrine balance. This pathway may provide a causal link between psychotherapy and depression in the same way that pharmacological treatments do.

Bond M.  Psychodynamic psychotherapy in the treatment of mood disorders. Current Opinion in Psychiatry. 2006; 19(1):40-43.

Recent studies of psychodynamic psychotherapy for mood disorders are summarized.  All studies show a significant improvement in symptoms in patients who were depressed before treatment with psychodynamic psychotherapy. Most evidence from naturalistic and various efficacy studies indicates that dynamic psychotherapy, with or without pharmacotherapy, is associated with improvement in symptoms and some character features. There are no data showing that psychodynamic therapy is more or less effective than other forms of psychotherapy.

Maina G, Forner F, Bogetto F.  Randomized controlled trial comparing brief dynamic and supportive therapy with waiting list condition in minor depressive disorders. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. 2005; 74(1): 43-50.

This study sought to determine whether brief dynamic therapy (BDT) is more effective than brief supportive psychotherapy (BSP) and waiting list condition in the treatment of minor depressive disorders. Thirty patients with depressive disorders completed a randomized controlled trial with three treatment groups (BDT, BSP, waiting list condition). A 6-month follow-up was performed. Patients treated with both psychotherapeutic approaches showed a significant improvement compared to non-treated controls, but BDT was more effective at follow-up evaluation.

Hilsenroth MJ, Ackerman SJ, Blagys MD, et al.  Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy for depression: An examination of statistical, clinically significant, and technique-specific change. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 2003; 191(6): 349-357.

The effectiveness of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) for depression was evaluated in this study of 21 patients. All areas of functioning assessed showed significant and positive changes.  Patient ratings of changes in depressive symptoms were also high. The present results demonstrate that robust statistical and clinically significant improvement can occur in an outpatient setting using STPP for depression.

Leichsenring F. Comparative effects of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy in depression: A meta-analytic approach. Clinical Psychology Review. 2001; 21(3): 401-419.

The efficacy of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) in depression compared to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or behavioral therapy (BT) is reviewed. Six studies were included in the review.  In 97% of the comparisons performed in the 6 studies and their follow-ups, no significant difference could be detected between STPP and CBT/BT concerning the effects in depressive symptoms, general psychiatric symptomatology, and social functioning. STPP and CBT/BT did not differ significantly with regard to the patients that were judged as remitted or improved.  Thus, STPP and CBT/BT seem to be equally effective methods in the treatment of depression.