Psychoeducation for depression, anxiety and psychological distress: a meta-analysis
Date
2009-12-16
Authors
Donker, Tara
Griffiths, Kathleen M
Cuijpers, Pim
Christensen, Helen
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
BioMed Central Ltd
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Given the high prevalence and burden associated with depression and anxiety
disorders and the existence of treatment barriers, there is a clear need for brief, inexpensive and
effective interventions such as passive psychoeducational interventions. There are no published
meta-analyses of the effectiveness of passive psychoeducation in reducing symptoms of depression,
anxiety or psychological distress.
METHODS: Cochrane, PsycInfo and PubMed databases were searched in September 2008.
Additional materials were obtained from reference lists. Papers describing passive
psychoeducational interventions for depression, anxiety and psychological distress were included
if the research design was a randomized controlled trial and incorporated an attention placebo, no
intervention or waitlist comparison group.
RESULTS: In total, 9010 abstracts were identified. Of these, five papers which described four
research studies targeting passive psychoeducation for depression and psychological distress met
the inclusion criteria. The pooled standardized-effect size (four studies, four comparisons) for
reduced symptoms of depression and psychological distress at post-intervention was d = 0.20 (95%
confidence interval: 0.01-0.40; Z = 2.04; P = 0.04; the number needed to treat: 9). Heterogeneity
was not significant among the studies (I2 = 32.77, Q:4.46; P = 0.22).
CONCLUSIONS: Although it is commonly believed that psychoeducation interventions are
ineffective, this meta-analysis revealed that brief passive psychoeducational interventions for
depression and psychological distress can reduce symptoms. Brief passive psychoeducation
interventions are easy to implement, can be applied immediately and are not expensive. They may
offer a first-step intervention for those experiencing psychological distress or depression and might
serve as an initial intervention in primary care or community models. The findings suggest that the
quality of psychoeducation may be important.
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Keywords
Keywords: anxiety disorder; article; clinical trial; Cochrane Library; depression; distress syndrome; human; MEDLINE; meta analysis; outcome assessment; patient counseling; patient education; psychoeducation; PsycINFO; symptom; systematic review; therapy effect
Citation
BMC Medicine 7.79 (2009)
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BMC Medicine
Type
Journal article
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