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Psychological interventions for the prevention of depression relapse: systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Translational psychiatry
January 1, 1970
Yurong Zhou et al. (14 authors)
Meta-AnalysisSystematic ReviewJournal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to compare the efficacy of psychological interventions, including Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), in preventing depression relapse at various follow-up time points.

Results Summary

MBCT was significantly better than placebo at 3, 6, and 9 months of follow-up, demonstrating a continuous effect in preventing depression relapse. It was also more effective than supportive counseling most of the time.

Population

2,871 patients with depression from 25 randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Follow-up periods ranged from 3 to 24 months.

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (18)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
decrease
depression relapse
patients
-
was significantly better than placebo
#1
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
decrease
depression relapse
patients
-
was significantly better than placebo
#2
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
decrease
depression relapse
patients
-
was significantly better than placebo
#3
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
decrease
depression relapse
patients
-
was significantly better than treatment as usual
#4
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
decrease
depression relapse
patients
-
was significantly better than treatment as usual
#5
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
decrease
depression relapse
patients
-
was significantly better than treatment as usual
#6
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
decrease
depression relapse
patients
-
was significantly better than treatment as usual
#7
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
decrease
depression relapse
patients
-
was significantly better than placebo
#8
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
decrease
depression relapse
patients
-
was significantly better than placebo
#9
Behavioral activation therapy
decrease
depression relapse
patients
-
was significantly better than placebo
#10
Behavioral activation therapy
decrease
depression relapse
patients
-
was significantly better than placebo
#11
Interpersonal psychotherapy
decrease
depression relapse
patients
-
was significantly better than placebo
#12
All psychological interventions included in the study
decrease
depression relapse
patients
-
were significantly better than supportive counseling most of the time
#13
MBCT
decrease
relapse of depression
-
-
had a continuous effect in preventing relapse
#14
CBT
decrease
relapse of depression
-
-
had the longest but not continuous effect in preventing relapse
#15
behavioral activation therapy
decrease
prevention of depression
-
-
effects appeared late
#16
interpersonal therapy
decrease
prevention of depression
-
-
effects appeared late
#17
All psychological interventions included in the study
decrease
prevention of depression
-
-
were more effective than supportive counseling
#18
Abstract

Depression is highly prevalent and easily relapses. Psychological interventions are effective for the prevention of depression relapse. This systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy at the same follow-up time points of psychological interventions in depression. We searched PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO via OVID, and the Cochrane Library published up to December 12, 2021, and PubMed up to July 1, 2022. The primary outcome was depression relapse, considering the same time points that were extracted on survival curves or relapse curves. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42022343327. A total of 2,871 patients were included from 25 RCTs. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) was significantly better than placebo at the 3 months, the 6 months, and the 9 months at follow-up. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was significantly better than treatment as usual at the 3 months, the 9 months, the 12 months, and the 15 months at follow-up. CBT was significantly better than placebo at the 21 months and the 24 months at follow-up. Behavioral activation therapy was significantly better than placebo at the 21 months and the 24 months at follow-up. Interpersonal psychotherapy was significantly better than placebo at the 24-month follow-up. All psychological interventions included in the study were significantly better than supportive counseling most of the time. The results were robust in various sensitivity and subgroup analyses. In conclusion, MBCT had a continuous effect in preventing relapse of depression. CBT had the longest but not continuous effect in preventing relapse of depression. The effects of behavioral activation therapy and interpersonal therapy for the prevention of depression appeared late. All psychological interventions included in the study were more effective than supportive counseling. More evidence is needed from large comparative trials that provide long-term follow-up data.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansNetwork Meta-AnalysisPsychosocial InterventionDepressionBehavior TherapyChronic DiseaseRecurrence
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality90/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations5
Citations/Year2.5
Relative Citation Ratio1.30
NIH Percentile60%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score1.70
Normalized Score0.72
Related Supplements
Psychological interventions for the prevention of depression... | Panacea Index