Why the study?
Do self-help interventions improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in patients with physical illnesses?
Population
4,211 patients with physical illness (pooled from 25 RCTs)
Comparison
Self-help interventions vs Control conditions
Design
Meta-analysis
Key result
Self-help interventions significantly improved symptoms of depression in patients with physical illnesses compared to control conditions (SMD -0.13; 95% CI -0.25 to -0.02; p=0.02).
Authors
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Supports offering self-help for depression in physical illness; confirms modest benefit across 25 RCTs.
Meta-Analysis (n=4,211)
Do self-help interventions improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in patients with physical illnesses?
Standardized Mean Difference: -0.13 (95% CI -0.25–-0.02)
p-value: p=0.02
Self-help interventions may provide a small but significant improvement in depression symptoms for patients with physical illnesses.
Matcham et al. (2014) conducted a meta-analysis in Physical illnesses with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress (n=4,211). Self-help interventions vs. Control conditions was evaluated on Symptoms of depression (SMD -0.13, 95% CI -0.25, -0.02, p=0.02). Self-help interventions significantly improved symptoms of depression in patients with physical illnesses compared to control conditions (SMD -0.13; 95% CI -0.25 to -0.02; p=0.02).
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