Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Controlled studies that used a comparison group or single-case repeated measures design were eligible for inclusion. The exact design of the included studies was unclear from the details presented. Six studies were randomised.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies implementing SFBT were eligible for inclusion. The intervention had to include one or more of the following components: a search for pre-session change; goal-setting; use of the miracle question; use of scaling questions; a search for exceptions; a consulting break; and a message including compliments and task. The follow-up periods of the included studies ranged from no follow-up to 12 months. The comparison groups included no intervention, problem-focused brief therapy, standard counselling groups, pre- and post-test comparison groups, waiting-list controls; problem-focused interpersonal therapy, standard rehabilitation treatment, and standard institutional services.
Participants included in the review
No a priori inclusion or exclusion criteria relating to the participants were specified. The participants in the included studies had problems relating to depression, opposition, parent-child conflict, orthopaedic injury, prison, recidivism, adolescent offending, marital relationships, drinking, schizophrenia, income, child-welfare, externalising behaviour, substance abuse, or were of an academic, personal or social nature.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Studies with SFBT client outcomes, i.e. client behaviour or functioning, that reported end-of-treatment or later outcomes were eligible for inclusion. The following studies were excluded: studies reporting only client satisfaction; studies examining intermediate therapy outcomes; ethnographic and change process studies (as they did not assess end-of treatment outcomes).
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
Potential studies were independently reviewed by each author and included if both agreed that the study met the inclusion criteria.