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Review: some evidence shows that self help books based on cognitive behaviour therapy can relieve depression in some patients

Clinical impact ratings GP/FP/Primary care GP/FP/Mental health

Key Words: books • depressive disorder • patient education • self care

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

METHODS
Data sources: Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE/Excerpta Medica, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Central Trial Register (1990–2003); PsiTri (to 2003); National Research Register; and contact with authors and experts.

Study selection and assessment: randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated self help books for patients with depression who were >16 years of age, with or without anxiety. The intervention included written material given with minimal guidance (defined as 1 h professional face to face time, or up to six 15 min telephone calls). Each study was assessed for adequacy of random allocation concealment; follow up; statement of primary outcome measure; and a priori power calculation.

Outcome: Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score.

MAIN RESULTS
11 RCTs met the selection criteria. None completely fulfilled CONSORT guidelines, and the largest trial had 40 patients per group. 9 studies evaluated 2 current publications: Managing anxiety and depression (1 trial in UK) and Feeling good (8 trials in US). Meta-analyses (using . . . [Full text of this article]

Brian A Primack, MD, EdM

University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA