Table 1 Psychoeducational studies for depression and/or anxiety.
From: Psychoeducation for depression, anxiety and psychological distress: a meta-analysis
Study | Aims of study | Study design/intervention | Population | Primary outcome measures | Outcomes of interest | Effect size (cohen's d) a | JQRb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Christensen et al. (2004) [10] | To evaluate the efficacy of a psycho- education website | RCT; Blue Pages (n = 136) versus attention placebo controls (telephone calls; n = 157) Format: individual | Community residents (18 to 52 years) with internet access in Canberra, Australia | Center for Epidemiologic Studies (CES-D). | Compared to controls, intervention participants showed a significant reduction in depressive symptoms as measured with the CES-D at post-test and 12 mo follow up, but not at 6 months | Post-test:c 0.31 (s) | 3 |
Mackinnon et al. (2008) [24] | (BluePages) for community dwelling adults with symptoms of depression | Content: evidence-based medical/psychological depression-information plus weekly telephone calls Type: Psycho-educational website. Duration: 6 weeks. Post-test/follow up points: post-test, 6 and 12 months |  | Cut-off score: ≥ 16 |  | 6 months 0.25 (s) 12 mo:0.37 (m) | 2 3 |
Geisner et al. (2006) [22] | To evaluate the efficacy of a brief, mailed personalized feedback intervention designed to alleviate depressed mood | RCT; brief mailed personalized valid feedback (n = 89) versus attention placebo controls (thank-you letter; n = 88). Format: individual. Content: empathic statement, feedback on test-results and advice. Type: email Duration: 1 session. Post-test/follow up points: 1 month | College students (18 years and older) from West coast public university, USA | Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) Cut-off score: ≥ 14 DSM-IV-based Depression Scale (DDS) Cut-off score not reported | Compared to controls, intervention participants showed a significant reduction in depressive symptoms as measured with the DDS but not with the BDI | BDI: 0.07 (s) DDS: 0.07 (s) |  |
Jacob et al. (2002) [23] | To determine the effect of patient education on outcome of depression | RCT; education intervention (n = 34) versus no intervention (n = 32). Format: individual. Content: evidence-based medical/psychological depression/anxiety information and advice. Type: leaflets. Duration: 1 session. Post-test/follow up: 2 months | Asian women (18 year and older) in primary care in the UK | General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) Cut-off score: ≥ 3 | Compared to controls, intervention participants showed a significant higher recovery rate of common mental disorders as measured with the GHQ (odds ratio: 2.99, 95% confidence interval: 1.03-1.7) | GHQ: 0.61 (m)d | 4 |
Kawakami et al. (1999) [25] | To examine the effects of mailed advice on reducing psychological distress | RCT; mailed personalized valid feedback and advice (n = 81) versus no intervention (n = 77). Format: individual. Content: personalized feedback of test-results and advice to reduce psychological distress. Type: email Duration: 1 session. Post-test/follow up: 12 mo | Workers employed in a manufacturing plant in Japan | GHQ Cut-off score not reported | There was no significant difference between controls and intervention participants in GHQ-scores | 0.04 (s) | 2 |