ABSTRACT
This explorative survey investigated clients' evaluation of therapy elements and other supportive factors within a randomized controlled trial. The treatment of patients with alcohol dependence consisted of pharmacotherapy (acamprosate/naltrexone/placebo) and biweekly medical management (MM). Forty-nine study participants were surveyed with a questionnaire to measure both the patients' satisfaction with the therapy and the subjective assessment of treatment elements and supportive factors.Study participants were highly satisfied with the treatment. The supportive factors previously identified by Orford et al1 were confirmed. 'Pharmacotherapy' was rated significantly less effective than 'MM' and 'global study attendance' (P < 0.001). The significant differences in the evaluation of treatment elements point to a preference for regular low-key contacts rather than for medication. Such contacts based on MM could be a useful intervention in clinical care, and its effectivity should be examined more closely in further research.
ABSTRACT
Motivational interviewing (MI) is effective in the treatment of addictions. To evaluate MI adherence of therapists, the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity Code (MITI) was developed. MI is used in German-speaking countries, but there is no equivalent to the MITI. Our aim was to adapt the MITI for use in German language settings (MITI-d). Twenty-eight session tapes of Alcoholism Specific Psychotherapy utilizing MI were rated by two student raters and the MITI-d instructor. To evaluate interrater reliability, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were computed. ICCs were good to excellent for relevant MI constructs, except for Complex Reflections, MI-nonadherent Behaviors, Empathy, and MI Spirit. The evaluation of test-retest reliability for the student raters showed good to excellent results. The MITI-d is a psychometrically sound instrument for evaluating basic MI competence in German language settings.
