A total of 43 studies were included in the review, of which 26 were randomised. Participants in the studies were counted as individuals or as families, depending on the study. The total participants per study ranged from six children to over 300 adults.
Child academic and behaviour problems: There were 14 studies, of which six were randomised and one had an active comparator. Four studies reported a mixture of results for behavioural outcomes, with some positive trends in favour of solution-focused brief therapy and significant improvements on some outcomes. Four studies reported varying results for academic outcomes, including some significant improvements and some non-significant trends in favour of solution-focused brief therapy. Psychological outcomes were reported by six studies, with three reporting significant improvements and the remainder showing positive trends.
Adult mental health: There were 10 studies, of which seven were randomised and six had an active comparator. Five studies focused on depression and four of these reported significant benefits. One study reported on self-harm, one study reported on obsessive compulsive disorder, one on schizophrenia, and two on general mental health outcomes. Based on positive or equivalent results, compared with alternative treatment, the authors concluded that there was strong and reliable evidence for solution-focused brief therapy as an effective treatment.
Marriage and family: There were six studies, of which two were randomised and two had active comparators. Five of the six studies used family- or group-oriented solution-focused brief therapy. They included families where one member was diagnosed with schizophrenia, a child was diagnosed with autism, there were general marital difficulties, or parents with adolescent children. Generally positive or equivalent results showed that solution-focused brief therapy was promising, but the evidence was limited and this should be regarded as a preliminary conclusion.
Occupational rehabilitation: There were five studies, of which four were randomised and one had an active comparator. All five studies reported on the impact of solution-focused brief therapy on return to work and psychological outcomes for employees on sick leave. Positive changes were noted in three studies, out-performing waiting-list controls, and equivalent to alternative treatments. There was strong evidence of the effectiveness of solution-focused brief therapy for occupational rehabilitation programmes.
Health and aging: There were five studies, of which four were randomised and one had an active comparator. Outcomes measured included aggressive and wandering behaviours, mental health outcomes, adjustment to illness, and quality of life. All five studies reported positive benefits from solution-focused brief therapy, and four studies reported significant improvements. Solution-focused brief therapy was considered to offer strong potential as a successful intervention, but the studies were varied.
Crime and delinquency: There were four studies, of which three were randomised and none had an active comparator. Three of the four studies focused on juvenile populations. All four reported significant improvements on at least some of the reported outcomes, in favour of solution-focused brief therapy. This was credible evidence for the efficacy of solution-focused brief therapy.