Cognitive analytic therapy: A bibliometric review

Abstract

Introduction

Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) has emerged as an integrative new approach with promising results in the treatment of personality-disordered patients, particularly in borderline personality disorder. Although this approach has already demonstrated its effectiveness in adults, increasingly studies try to validate it in young population, which has meant a turning point in research.

Aim and objectives

The goal of this study is to know the whole production about CAT in a double way:

–articles that describes the main theoretical concepts underlying CAT theory;

–articles with evidence supporting its effectiveness in different mental disorders.

Methods

A bibliometric review of 397 scientific articles extracted from research databases including Dialnet, EBSCO, PUBMED, Unika and Scholar Google was conducted.

Results

The results indicate an exponential growth in published studies on CAT, from first publications in the late 1960s, particularly strong in the last two decades and reaching its peak in 2008. Total research includes 247 literature reviews, 109 clinical studies, 47 case studies, 17 letters and comments from authors, 4 studies on diagnostic tests and 1 meta-analysis. Most research has focused on borderline personality disorder or other personality disorders (35% and 12% respectively) and eating disorders (11%). Studies have been conducted with adults (49%) the same as children and adolescents (46%) whereas only the 4% has been developed for elderly population.

Conclusions

Cognitive analytic therapy represents a well-documented psychotherapy with a proven efficacy in a wide range of clinical contexts.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.