Objective To assess the effectiveness of psychotherapy for depression in older patients. Methods We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (1990 to August 2007), MEDLINE (1966 to August 2007), EMbase (1980 to August 2007), and CMB-disk (1990 to August 2007) to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which psychotherapy was used to treat depression in older patients. We screened the retrieved studies according to the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, evaluated the quality of included studies, and performed meta-analyses by using The Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 4.2 software. Results Ten RCTs were included. Compared with placebo, psychotherapy was more effective in decreasing depression score (SMD 0.63, 95%CI – 0.84 to – 0.42). Subgroup analysis showed that cognitive-behavioral therapy, reminiscence therapy, and general psychological therapy were more effective than placebo (SMD – 0.70, 95%CI – 1.12 to – 0.27; SMD – 0.54, 95%CI – 0.81 to – 0.26; SMD – 0.84, 95%CI – 1.34 to – 0.34, respectively). However, psychotherapy as an adjunct treatment could not significantly improve the effectiveness of antidepressant medication (SMD – 0.35, 95%CI – 0.74 to 0.05). There was no significant difference between cognitive-behavioral therapy and reminiscence therapy in improving depression symptoms (SMD 0.13, 95%CI – 0.30 to 0.56). The dropout rate was similar between patients treated with or without psychotherapy (RR 1.03, 95%CI 0.55 to 1.94). Conclusion Various kinds of psychotherapy are effective for depression in older patients. But psychotherapy as an adjunct treatment could not significantly improve the effectiveness of antidepressant medication.
Objective To investigate the depression status，score of asthma control test (ACT) and quality of life in asthma patients before and after health care education according to Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines.Methods 59 enrolled outpatients with asthma were asked to self-administer the CES-D (center for epidemiologic studies-depression) scale，ACT scale and the quality of life (QOL) questionnaire respectively.All the patients were educated and treated by health care professionals under the guidance of GINA 2004.After average of 2.5 months ± 15 days，they were asked to self-administer all the scales and questionnaire mentioned above once again on return visit.The data was collected and analyzed statistically based on whether or not the patient had depression according to the CES-D score and the data before and after the education was compared statistically.Results （A）40.7% (24/59) of the patients had depression emotion before guided treatment，and after that the percentage significantly decreased to 13.6% (8/59) (Plt;0.05).（B）Comparing the depressive and non-depressive groups，there was significant difference in 3 of 5 domains in QOL excluding limitation of activity and self concern about health (Plt;0.05) before guided treatment.While on return visit 3 domains in QOL excluding limitation of activity and psychologic status had shown a significant difference (Plt;0.05).There was no significant difference in ACT score before guided treatment，while wise versa after that (Plt;0.05).（C）Before guided treatment the depression status was inversely correlated with 3 in 5 domains of QOL (symptoms of asthma，psychologic status and response to irritant)，as well as QOL as a whole (Plt;0.05)，but not with the other two domains of QOL scale and ACT score.After guided treatment，the depression status had inverse correlation with QOL and 3 in 5 domains of QOL scale (excluding limitation of activity and psychologic status) (Plt;0.05)，as well as ACT score (Plt;0.05).Conclusions The symptoms of asthma and response to irritants are common factors that influence the depressive emotion in asthma population.While psychologic status and self concern about health are both important factors that can not be overlooked.Health care education is important for asthma patients in view of appropriate treatment，symptom control and relief of depression emotion.
Objective To evaluate the subjective outcomes of sleepiness behavior and mood status applying continuous positive airway pressure（CPAP） in adults of elderly and middle-aged with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome（OSAS）. Methods Nine randomized controlled trails comparing nocturnal CPAP with inactive control appliances in adults with OSAS with the use of computerized search in related medical databases（MEDLINE，EMBASE，CBMdisk，etc） were included.The quality of literature was reviewed，and all data were extracted by two reviewers independently.Meta analysis was conducted used RevMan 4.2 software.Results 9 RCT involving 665 patients of elderly and middle-aged met the inclusion criteria.Meta analysis indicated that the score of Epworth sleepiness scale（ESS） and general health questionnaire-28（GHQ-28） declined significantly after CPAP treatment on effectiveness with WMD（random） －2.94，95 %CI －4.68 to －1.20，or WMD（fixed） －2.26，95 %CI －3.79 to －0.72，Plt;0.01.Nevertheless，hospital anxiety and depression scale（HADS） was not significantly different between CPAP and control with WMD（random） －0.89，95%CI －1.98 to 0.20，Pgt;0.05.Conclusion Current clinical evidence suggested that CPAP was effective in improving day-time subjective outcomes of sleepiness behavior and general mental health status in OSAS patients of elderly and middle-aged，although evidence of improving emotion disorder of anxiety and depression was not confirmed.
Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of duloxetine versus paroxetine for adults’ depression. Methods A search was conducted in The Cochrane Library (Issue 6, 2011), Pubmed (1998 to June 2011), CNKI (1998 to June 2011), VIP (1998 to June 2011), CBM (1998 to June 2011), Wanfang database (1998 to June 2011), MEDLINE (1996 to June 2011) and Science Direct (1998 to June 2011). The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on duloxetine versus paroxetine for adults’ depression were collected. The quality of the included trials was assessed according to the Cochrane Handbook 5.0, and the systematic analysis was conducted by using RevMan 5.0 software. Results Six RCTs involving 1 106 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: a) After eight-week treatment, there were no significant differences in the effective rate (RR=0.96, 95%CI 0.89 to 1.05, P=0.39) and the final cure rate (RR=0.99, 95%CI 0.86 to 1.15, P=0.93) between the duloxetine and paroxetine groups; b) Adverse reaction: The incidence rate of somnolence in the duloxetine group was lower than that of the paroxetine group (RR=0.63, 95%CI 0.41 to 0.96, P=0.03), oppositely, the incidence rate of abnormal ECG was higher in the duloxetine group (RR=1.91, 95%CI, 1.02 to 3.58, P=0.04). And the other common adverse reactions were not significantly different between the two groups (Pgt;0.05). Conclusion After eight-week treatment, there are no significant differences in the effective rate and the final cure rate between duloxetine and paroxetine. Duloxetine tends easily to induce the abnormal ECG compared with paroxetine.
Objective To observe the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), platelet 5-HT and blood platelet count, emotion and burn injury healing of patients with moderate and severe burn injury and anxiety-depression symptoms. Methods In-patients with moderate and severe burn injury were selected from 2003.4 to 2005.2 and then divided into anxiety-depression group and control group according to their anxiety-depression scores by Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD ) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAMA) 3 days after being burnt. Routine therapy was given to two groups, which lasted 1 month. Their scores of anxiety and depression and the degree of injury healing were observed, and the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6, platelet 5-HT and blood platelet count were measured in the two groups. Results Fifty-one in-patients with moderate and severe burn injury were divided into the anxiety-depression group (24 cases) and the control group (27 cases). After 30-day treatment, the depression scores did not decrease in the anxiety-depression group (P=0.12), but the anxiety scores decreased (P=0.00). In the anxiety-depression group, the burn injury healing time was postponed (P=0.00), the serum levels of TNF-α increased (P=0.00), and the platelet 5-HT levels decreased (P=0.04) before and after treatment. Conclusion Depressive reaction occurs in patients with moderate and severe burn injury, which is a continuously negative emotion. It can lead to high levels of serum TNF-α, reduction in platelet 5-HT, and delayed burn injury healing time. Due to the limited sample size and different location of patients, there may be some bias in this conclusion. We are prepared to increase the sample size and select patients in the same region in further relevant studies.
Objective To investigate the family burden of depression inpatients, analyze the influencing factors and explore the approach to reduce the family burden. Methods On-the-spot investigation was conducted for the family members of 200 depression inpatients in Mental Health Center of West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January to December, 2008. Following questionnaires used for investigation were all self-scale and filled out by the family members: “Basic Information Scale of Patients and Family Members”, “Family Burden Scale of Patients with Depression” revised from Pai’s scale of “Burden on the Family of Disease” (scoring 0-48 points and covering 24 items under 6 dimensions, namely, financial burden, disruption of routine family activities, disruption of family leisure, disruption of family interactions, effect on physical health of family members, and effect on mental health of family members; rating each item on a 3-class scale, namely, zero for no burden, one for moderate burden, and two for severe burden) , and Xiao Shuiyuan’s “Social Support Scale” (10 items in total, a higher score indicates a better social support). SPSS 13.0 software was adopted to perform statistical analyses. Results The total score of family burden was 26.3±12.6, the positive answer rate of family burden was 100.0%, and the positive answer rate of the every dimension was above 80%. The score of family burden for parents and spouse was higher than that of children (Plt;0.05). The total score of social support was 40.22±9.06, and the correlation coefficient between family burden and family social support was –0.485 (Plt;0.001). Conclusion It is common for family members of depression patients to get family burden at different levels. The more social support family members get, the less the family burden is.
Objective To assess the effectiveness of psychological intervention on post-stoke depression. Methods Such databases as the JBI Database of Systematic Review (1980 to June, 2010), The Cochrane Library (1980 to June, 2010), PubMed (1966 to 2010), CINAHL(1982 to May, 2000), CBM (1978 to 2010), and CNKI (1979 to 2010) were searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs). In accordance with the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, the quality of included studies was evaluated, and then meta-analyses were performed by using RevMan 5.0 software. Results A total of 33 RCTs were included. The results of meta-analyses showed: (1) Compared with the control group, the short-term effect of psychological intervention was more effective in decreasing depression score. The subgroup analysis showed that the intervention effects at the time of four weeks, six weeks, eight weeks, and 12 weeks were better than those of the control group. (2) The long-term effect of psychological intervention was more effective in decreasing depression score. The subgroup analyses showed that the intervention effects at the interval of eight weeks, 24 weeks, and 48 weeks were better than those of the control group. (3) The combined or single application of either cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy or supportive psychotherapy was more effective in decreasing depression score than the control group. However, there was no significant difference between the general psychological treatment group and the control group. (4) The subgroup analyses showed that the different qualities of the included studies were more effective than those of the control group. Conclusion Various psychological intervention is effective in decreasing the patient’s depression score, and cognitive-behavioral therapy and supportive psychotherapy, especially, can significantly improve the depression state and promote recovery.
Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of mirtazapine and fluoxetine on depression. Methods We searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2009), MEDLINE (1980 to Dec.2008), EMbase (1980 to Dec.2008), CBM (1980 to Dec.2008), VIP (1980 to Dec.2008), CNKI (1980 to Dec.2008) and Wanfang database (1980 to Dec.2008) to search randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing mirtazapine with fluoxetine for depression. The quality of the included trials was assessed and meta-analysis was conducted by RevMan 5.0 software. Results Five RCTs involving 695 patients were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that: (1) After one-week treatment and two-week treatment, effectiveness of the mirtazapine group was significantly higher than that of the fluoxetine group [one-week treatment: RR=2.00, 95%CI (1.30, 3.10), P=0.002; two-week treatment: RR=1.49, 95%CI (1.08, 2.06), P=0.02]. But after six-week treatment, there was no significant difference of the efficacy between the mirtazapine and the fluoxetine groups with RR=1.21 and 95%CI 0.89 to 1.63 (P=0.23), and the cure rate of the mirtazapine group was a little higher than that of the fluoxetine group with RR=1.40 and 95%CI 1.09 to 1.80 (P=0.009). (2) Side reaction: The somnolence and weight gain rates of the mirtazapine group was higher than those of the fluoxetine group with RR=1.78 and 95%CI 1.18 to 2.70 (P=0.006) and RR=5.91 and 95%CI 2.21 to 15.83 (P=0.000 4). But fluoxetine more easily induced nausea and insomnia with RR=0.47 and 95%CI 0.31 to 0.71 (P=0.000 3); RR=0.39 and 95%CI 0.17 to 0.89 (P=0.03) than mirtazapine. And the other common side reactions were all not significantly different between the two groups (Pgt;0.05). Conclusion Mirtazapine is more effective than fluoxetine and works faster. Mirtazapine could more easily induce somnolence and weight gain, and is with lower nausea or insomnia rate when compared with fluoxetine. And there is no significant difference in comparison of other common side reactions.
Objective To systematically evaluate the effects of psychotherapy for cancer patients with depression. Methods We searched The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese Scientific Journals Full-text Database, and Chinese Journal Full-text Database up to October 2010 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing psychotherapy plus conventional treatment with conventional treatment alone. The data were analyzed by using RevMan 5.0 software. Results Eleven RCTs involving 1 670 participants were included. The results of meta-analyses showed: (1) A significant difference was found between psychotherapy plus conventional treatment and conventional treatment alone in decrease of depression score (SMD= – 0.40, 95%CI – 0.70 to – 0.11); (2) No difference was observed between the two groups in decrease of anxiety score (SMD= – 0.68, 95%CI – 1.37 to 0.01), but the result was changed when a sensitivity analysis was done (SMD= – 0.30, 95%CI – 0.52 to -0.08). Conclusion Compared with conventional treatment alone, psychotherapy combined with conventional treatment could improve depressive states in cancer patients, but the result still needs to be confirmed by high-quality and large-sample RCTs.
Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture versus western medicine in the treatment of depression neurosis. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving acupuncture versus western medicine in the treatment of depression neurosis were identified from CBM (1978 to 2009),VIP (1989 to 2009),WANFANG Database (1998 to 2009), CNKI (1979 to 2009), PubMed (1966 to 2009), EMbase (1980 to 2009), and The Cochrane Library (Issue 4,2008). We also hand searched relevant journals from Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Data were extracted and evaluated by two reviewers independently with a specially designed extraction form. The Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 5.0.2 software was used for data analyses. Results A total of 9 trials involving 903 patients were included. Meta-analyses showed that the total effective rate in the acupuncture group was similar when compared with Dailixin (RR= 1.01, 95%CI 0.82 to 1.23) on 20 d, fluoxetine (RR= 1.06, 95%CI 0.82 to 1.37) at week 8, but showing difference between acupuncture and fluoxetine (RR= 1.15, 95CI 1.07 to 1.22) at week 12. As for the HAMD score, no significant difference was noted between acupuncture and Dailixin (WMD= 0.45, 95%CI – 2.47 to 3.37) at 20 d, or amitriptyline at week 6, or fluoxetine on 30 d, and weeks 4, 8, 12; there was a difference between acupuncture and amitriptyline observed at week 1 (WMD= – 2.67, 95%CI – 4.38 to – 0.96) and week 2 (WMD= – 2.18, 95%CI – 3.28 to – 1.08). In terms of the SDS scores, significant difference was found between acupuncture and fluoxetine (WMD= – 4.26, 95%CI – 6.67 to – 1.85) at week 6, but no difference at week 4 and 12. Four trials reported adverse events. One trial found that no adverse events existed in acupuncture according with TESS score, contrasting with thirst, constipation, vision vague, shimmy, fast heart rate, and some change in liver function and cardiogram in amitriptyline group.Two trials reported very low score in acupuncture showing difference when compared with the drugs. And one trial described that four people had stomach and intestinal tract disorders. While no adverse reactions happened in the acupuncture group. Conclusion Acupuncture is not inferior to western medicine, and it is worth noting that acupuncture is associated with few adverse reactions. Further large-scale trials are required to define the role of acupuncture in the treatment of depression neurosis.