Effectiveness of complementary and self-help treatments for depression in children and adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To review the evidence for the effectiveness of complementary and self-help treatments for depression in children and adolescents.


METHODS
Systematic literature search using PubMed, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library for 131 treatments up to February 2006.


METHODS
There were 13 treatments that had been evaluated in intervention studies.


METHODS
Studies on each treatment were reviewed by one author and checked by a second. A consensus was reached for level of evidence.


RESULTS
Relevant evidence was available for glutamine, S-adenosylmethionine, St John's wort, vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids, light therapy, massage, art therapy, bibliotherapy, distraction techniques, exercise, relaxation therapy and sleep deprivation. However, the evidence was limited and generally of poor quality. The only treatment with reasonable supporting evidence was light therapy for winter depression.


CONCLUSIONS
Given that antidepressant medication is not recommended as a first line treatment for children and adolescents with mild to moderate depression, and that the effects of psychological treatments are modest, there is a pressing need to extend the range of treatments available for this age group.
Jorm
Anthony F
AF
ORYGEN Research Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ajorm@unimelb.edu.au
Allen
Nicholas B
NB
O'Donnell
Colin P
CP
Parslow
Ruth A
RA
Purcell
Rosemary
R
Morgan
Amy J
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D001155:Art Therapy; D001638:Bibliotherapy; D002648:Child; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008405:Massage; D010789:Phototherapy; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012648:Self Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3