Naturalistic Study of Long-Term Analytical Psychotherapies (PAL)
The PAL-Study (Naturalistic Study of Long-Term Analytical Psychotherapies) is an international project, initiated by DGPT (German Society for Psychotherapy). It has been carried out under the scientific leadership of Prof. Dr. med. G. Rudolf (Psychosomatic Clinic of the University of Heidelberg, Germany). It investigates the therapeutic process and effectiveness of long-term, relatively intensive psychotherapies in free practice (naturalistic study design). the group in Heidelberg and a second group in Berlin (Leadership Dr. med. W. Keller, Psychosomatic Clinic of Theodor-Wenzel-Werk) examine and compare psychoanalyses with psychotherapies based on depth psychology. In the Zurich Study Centre we have examined Jungian therapies with lower frequency. 37 cases were recruited for study, with 26 therapists responsible. 24 treatments have been concluded. In some cases we have already done a one-year catamnesis, in fewer cases investigations for a three-year catamnesis. A separate evaluation of the catamneses has been projected.
A first evaluation of the PAL-Study has been completed as per February 2003 (Leadership Dr. med. Guido Mattanza, Zurich). It has been presented to the public in a conference at the Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik Burghölzli (Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Zurich). The outcome of the study clearly shows that long-term psychotherapies are necessary and effective for long-lasting changes in the psychic structure. More information may be found in the documentation "Report on PAL-Study: Psyche and Researche" (see below).
State of the work after first evaluation of February 2003::
 A total of 37 patients were included in the study. At present their process have reached the following stages:
| Cases terminated under normal circumstances | 24
| | Cases not yet finished at the time of the first evaluation | 4 | | Break-off of psychotherapy or of participation in the study | 7 | | Cases eliminated because of unclear indication | 2 |
See also the article in Neue Zürcher Zeitung of 10.12.2003: http://www.nzz.ch/2003/12/10/ft/page-article99FQB.html
Report on PAL-Study: Psyche and Research
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Report Psyche and Research
