ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the effects of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) on improving depression, medication adherence and quality of life in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV). MethodsWe searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2013), Ovid-JBI, PubMed, EMbase, PsycARTICLES, CBM and CNKI to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on improving depression, medication adherence and quality of life in PLHIV from the establishment dates to April 30th 2013. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.2. ResultsA total of 17 RCTs were included, involving 2 163 patients. The results of meta-analysis showed that CBT significantly improved PLHIV's depression (SMD=-0.26, 95%CI-0.41 to-0.10, P=0.001), and quality of life (SMD=-0.57, 95%CI-1.04 to-0.11, P=0.02) in 6 months. Meanwhile, CBT significantly improved PLHIV's medication adherence (WMD=3.98, 95%CI 1.67 to 6.30, P=0.000 8) in the long term. ConclusionCBT is efficacious in improving PLHIV's depression and quality of life in the short term, and improving medication adherence in the long term, compared to standard care.