Effectiveness of Friendship Bench in Alleviating Anxiety and Depression Symptoms Among People Living with HIV and High-Risk Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the Friendship Bench (FB) intervention’s efficacy in relieving anxiety and depression among people living with HIV (PLHIV) and high-risk populations, explored intervention effect heterogeneity, and provided evidence for mental health-HIV care integration in resource-limited areas. Multiple databases were searched from inception to July 19, 2025; 6 RCTs (2203 participants) were included for meta-analysis via Stata 16.0. The pooled SMD was -ƒ_%0.57 (95% CI: -1.41 to 0.28, IAý=98.7%); PLHIV-only analyses (nƒ_%=ƒ_%5) showed no significant effect (SMDƒ_%=ƒ_%0.12, 95% CI: -0.03 to 0.27, IAý=0.0%). Measurement tools and population type were key sources of heterogeneity, with the DASS-21 subgroup yielding consistently non-significant results. Current evidence is insufficient to confirm FB’s effectiveness, emphasizing the need for rigorous large-scale RCTs with standardized outcome measures.Clinical trial registration:AÿThis systematic review and metaanalysis has been prospectively registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (Registration number: CRD420251063331; Registration date June 3, 2025)

• Population(s)
  • General HIV+ population
• Mental Health
  • Depression
  • Other
• Health Systems
  • Delivery arrangements