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. 2017 Dec;24(4):396-420.
doi: 10.1111/cpsp.12218. Epub 2017 Nov 6.

Empirical Examinations of Modifications and Adaptations to Evidence-Based Psychotherapies: Methodologies, Impact, and Future Directions

Shannon Wiltsey Stirman  1 , Jennifer Gamarra  2 , Brooke Bartlett  3 , Amber Calloway  4 , Cassidy Gutner  5
Affiliations

Empirical Examinations of Modifications and Adaptations to Evidence-Based Psychotherapies: Methodologies, Impact, and Future Directions

Shannon Wiltsey Stirman et al. Clin Psychol (New York). 2017 Dec.

Abstract

This review describes methods used to examine the modifications and adaptations to evidence-based psychological treatments (EBPTs), assesses what is known about the impact of modifications and adaptations to EBPTs, and makes recommendations for future research and clinical care. One hundred eight primary studies and three meta-analyses were identified. All studies examined planned adaptations, and many simultaneously investigated multiple types of adaptations. With the exception of studies on adding or removing specific EBPT elements, few studies compared adapted EBPTs to the original protocols. There was little evidence that adaptations in the studies were detrimental, but there was also limited consistent evidence that adapted protocols outperformed the original protocols, with the exception of adding components to EBPTs. Implications for EBPT delivery and future research are discussed.

Keywords: adaptation; empirically supported treatment; evidence-based; implementation; modification; psychotherapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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