Karp And Frank: Biological Treatment

Question 1

Aim?

Answer 1

To compare drug treatment and non-drug treatments for depression.

Question 2

Method?

Answer 2

A review article of previous research into the effectiveness of single treatments and combined drug and psychotherapeutic treatments of depression.

Question 3

PPs?

Answer 3

• 529 women diagnosed with depression
• 9 pieces of research
• 1974-1992

Question 4

Design?

Answer 4

Independent measures

Question 5

Procedure?

Answer 5

• depression measured using a variety of depression inventories (checklist of common symptoms)
• all patients tested prior to treatment
• tested after treatment
• some cases follow up after a period of time
• health practitioners sometimes used to assess patients

Question 6

Results?

Answer 6

• most of the studies, adding psychological treatments to drug therapy didn’t increase effectiveness
• less attrition when combination used

Question 7

Conclusions?

Answer 7

Two treatments are not more effective, drug therapy has positive outcomes.

Question 8

Strengths?

Answer 8

• large sample= more reliable
• longitudinal= detailed data about development of depression
• some health professionals used= supports PAS
• useful as similar results across all 9 review articles
• high external validity as consistent results

Question 9

Weaknesses?

Answer 9

• secondary data= researcher bias
• gynocentric= population validity
• review articles= low ecological validity
• don’t know how controlled original research was= lower reliability

Question 10

Biological?

Answer 10

Medication:
•monoamine oxidase
•tricyclics
•selective seratonin re-uptake inhibitors