In looking at the literature on the importance of homework in CT, the arguement that many of the studies have relatively low power would lead to the conclusion that we can have some confidence in the studies that show that homework has important effects on outcome (such as Burns and Spangler) but may need to be skeptical about studies which fail to find an effect (unless those studies have adequate power).

I don't have empirical data about the way in which Cognitive therapists use homework in day-to-day practice. However, I do know that Beck and all the leading Cognitive therapists consider homework to be very important. My clinical experience is consistent with the studies which show that clients who do homework on a regular basis improve more and improve faster. I advocate developing a homework assignment of some sort (not necessarily written) at the end of each therapy session.