Effects of non-pharmacological interventions on depressive symptoms and risk of major depressive disorder in adults with subthreshold depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Kexin Huang; Simiao You; Xin Yue; Shoumeng Yan; Linquan Bai; Rendong He; Yongliang Jiao; Bingyue Han; Kadierya Momin; Jiangmei Wu; Yong Jia; Li Chen

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115333

Effects of non-pharmacological interventions on depressive symptoms and risk of major depressive disorder in adults with subthreshold depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Psychiatry Res. 2023 Aug:326:115333. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115333. Epub 2023 Jul 13.

Authors

Kexin Huang¹, Simiao You², Xin Yue¹, Shoumeng Yan¹, Linquan Bai³, Rendong He¹, Yongliang Jiao⁴, Bingyue Han¹, Kadierya Momin¹, Jiangmei Wu¹, Yong Jia⁵, Li Chen⁶

Affiliations

¹ School of Nursing, Jilin University, No.965 Xinjiang Street, Changchun, Jilin 130012, China.
² School of Sport Health and Technology, Jilin Sport University, No.2476 Ziyou Street, Changchun 130022, China.
³ Faculty of English, Jagiellonian University, Golebia 24, Kraków 31-007, Poland.
⁴ School of Nursing, Jilin University, No.965 Xinjiang Street, Changchun, Jilin 130012, China; School of Sport Health and Technology, Jilin Sport University, No.2476 Ziyou Street, Changchun 130022, China.
⁵ School of Nursing, Jilin University, No.965 Xinjiang Street, Changchun, Jilin 130012, China. Electronic address: jiayong@jlu.edu.cn.
⁶ School of Nursing, Jilin University, No.965 Xinjiang Street, Changchun, Jilin 130012, China. Electronic address: chen_care@126.com.

PMID: 37482046
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115333

Abstract

Subthreshold depression (StD) is a condition that significantly reduces the quality of life and increases the risk of developing major depressive disorder (MDD). In order to investigate the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) in preventing the onset of MDD and improving depressive symptoms in adults with StD (AStDs), we conducted a systematic search of nine databases and included a total of 15 studies. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated using random effects models. RoB2 tool and GRADEpro software were used to assess the methodological quality and evidence. Funnel plots, Egger's, and Begg's tests were used to analyze publication bias. Sensitivity, subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. The results showed that NPIs had a significant effect in preventing the onset of MDD and improving depressive symptoms. Subgroup analysis revealed that NPIs were particularly effective in general adult populations, during short-term follow-up (FU) periods, among pregnant women, and in universal prevention programs. The results were found to be robust and credible, as they were less sensitive to changes in the analysis method. Timely detection and treatment of StD is feasible and important, as it can effectively delay or prevent the onset of MDD.

Keywords: Major depressive disorders; Meta-analysis; Prevention; Subthreshold depression; Systematic review.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Adult
Depression* / complications
Depression* / diagnosis
Depression* / therapy
Depressive Disorder, Major* / etiology
Depressive Disorder, Major* / prevention & control
Female
Humans
Pregnancy
Quality of Life