Self-help interventions for the prevention of relapse in mood disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Heidi Ka Ying Lo · Fiona Yan‐Yee Ho · Jerry Wing-Fai Yeung · Stephy Tim-Wai Ng · Eva Yuen-Ting Wong · Ka‐Fai Chung

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Digital Mental Health Interventions Mental Health Treatment and Access Bipolar Disorder and Treatment

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Self-help interventions may offer a scalable adjunct to traditional care, but their effectiveness in relapse prevention is not well-established. Objectives: This review aimed to assess their effectiveness in preventing relapses among individuals with mood disorders. METHODS: We systematically reviewed the pertinent trial literature in Web of Science, EMBASE, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane databases until May 2024. Randomized controlled trials that examined the self-help interventions among individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar disorder (BD) were included. The random-effects model computed the pooled risk ratios of relapse, with subgroup analyses and meta-regression analyses to explore heterogeneity sources. RESULTS: Fifteen papers and 16 comparisons of randomized trials involving 2735 patients with mood disorders were eligible for this meta-analysis. Adjunct self-help interventions had a small but significant effect on reducing the relapse rates of major depressive disorder (pooled risk ratio: 0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.66-0.92, P = 0.0032, NNT = 11), and were marginally better in bipolar disorder (pooled risk ratio: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.40-0.97, P = .0344, NNT = 12), as compared to treatment as usual (TAU). No subgroup difference was found based on intervention components, settings, delivery method, or guidance levels. The average dropout rate for self-help interventions (18.9%) did not significantly differ from TAU dropout rates. The examination of treatment adherence was highly variable, precluding definitive conclusions. CONCLUSIONS: Self-help interventions demonstrate a modest preventative effect on relapse in mood disorders, despite low to very low certainty. Future research is essential to identify which elements of self-help interventions are most effective.

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