Cognitive-behavioural therapy for depression in people with a somatic disease: Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Meta-analyses on psychological treatment for depression in individuals with a somatic disease are limited to specific underlying somatic diseases, thereby neglecting the generalisability of the interventions. AIMS: To examine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for depression in people with a diversity of somatic diseases. METHOD: Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials evaluating CBT for depression in people with a somatic disease. Severity of depressive symptoms was pooled using the standardised mean difference (SMD). RESULTS: Twenty-nine papers met inclusion criteria. Cognitive-behavioural therapy was superior to control conditions with larger effects in studies restricted to participants with depressive disorder (SMD = -0.83, 95% CI -1.36 to -0.31, P<0.001) than in studies of participants with depressive symptoms (SMD = -0.16, 95% CI -0.27 to -0.06, P = 0.001). Subgroup analyses showed that CBT was not superior to other psychotherapies. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive-behavioural therapy significantly reduces depressive symptoms in people with a somatic disease, especially in those who meet the criteria for a depressive disorder.
Authors
Beltman MW, Voshaar RC, Speckens AE
Year
2010
Topics
- Population(s)
- General HIV- population
- Engagement and Care Cascade
- Treatment
- Mental Health
- Depression