Effectiveness of Psychotherapy for Geriatric Negative Emotions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials

Article type
Authors
Zhang W1, Li X1, Yan P2, Hou L1, Ma B3, Shi X4, Liu X1, Yang K3
1Evidence-Based Social Science Research Center, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University
2Institute of Clinical Research and Evidence-Based Medicine, The Gansu Provincial Hospital
3Evidence-Based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University
4Institute for Evidence-Based Rehabilitation Medicine of Gansu Province
Abstract
Background:
Psychotherapy is a common treatment for geriatric loneliness, anxiety and depression, but the effectiveness and the long-term efficacy of it remains controversial.
Objectives:
This systematic review aims to analyze and summarize the effectiveness of psychotherapy, including reminiscence therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), group therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, Internet cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT), for geriatric loneliness, anxiety and depression.
Methods:
Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and SinoMed were searched from inception to July 2018. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effectiveness of psychotherapy in the treatment of geriatric loneliness, anxiety and depression were included. The primary outcomes included the relief of depression, anxiety or loneliness symptoms. And the methodological quality of the included studies was assessed by Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Meta-analysis was performed by Review Manager 5.3.
Results:
A total of 12 RCTs comprising 962 individuals were included. Meta-analysis results showed significant effects of psychotherapy in relieving depression (n=576; SMD=-1.39; 95% CI=-2.04 to -0.73; p