Meta-analysis of cognitive behaviour therapy and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for the treatment of hypochondriasis: Implications for trial design

•CBT and SSRIs are effective in the acute treatment of hypochondriasis.•Our meta-analysis showed a moderate-to-large effect size for CBT versus all controls (g = −0.71).•Choice of control significantly moderated effect sizes for CBT.•Most studies (11/13) were rated as high on potential researcher allegiance bias in fa-vour of CBT.•An adequately-controlled study, designed with respect to the methodological issues raised in this paper, is needed.