What makes self-help interventions effective in the management of depressive symptoms? Meta-analysis and meta-regression.
BACKGROUND
Although self-help interventions are effective in treating depression, less is known about the factors that determine effectiveness (i.e. moderators of effect). This study sought to determine whether the content of self-help interventions, the study populations or aspects of study design were the most important moderators.


METHODS
Randomized trials of the effectiveness of self-help interventions versus controls in the treatment of depressive symptoms were identified using previous reviews and electronic database searches. Data on moderators (i.e. patient populations, study design, intervention content) and outcomes were extracted and analysed using meta-regression.


RESULTS
Thirty-four studies were identified with 39 comparisons. Study design factors associated with greater effectiveness were unclear allocation concealment, observer-rated outcome measures and waiting-list control groups. Greater effectiveness was also associated with recruitment in non-clinical settings, patients with existing depression (rather than those 'at risk'), contact with a therapist (i.e. guided self-help) and the use of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques. However, only guided self-help remained significant in the multivariate analysis [regression coefficient 0.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.05-0.68, p=0.03]. In the subset of guided studies, there were no significant associations between outcomes and the session length, content, delivery mode or therapist background.


CONCLUSIONS
The results provide some insights into moderators of self-help interventions, which might assist in the design of future interventions. However, the present study did not provide a comprehensive description, and other research methods might be required to identify factors associated with the effectiveness of self-help.
Gellatly
Judith
J
Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting, University of Manchester, UK.
Bower
Peter
P
Hennessy
Sue
S
Richards
David
D
Gilbody
Simon
S
Lovell
Karina
K
D015982:Bias; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012107:Research Design / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*