Psychotherapy for depression among children and adolescents: a systematic review

• Published in: Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 2007-08, Vol.116 (2), p.84-95
• Main Authors: Watanabe, N., Hunot, V., Omori, I. M., Churchill, R., Furukawa, T. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Depression; depressive disorder; Depressive Disorder, Major - diagnosis; Depressive Disorder, Major - psychology; Depressive Disorder, Major - therapy; Dysthymic Disorder - diagnosis; Dysthymic Disorder - psychology; Dysthymic Disorder - therapy; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Medical sciences; meta-analysis; Mood disorders; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychotherapy; Publication Bias; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; review; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0001-690X; 1600-0447; 0065-1591
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2007.01018.x

Objective:  To examine the clinical benefit, the harm and the cost‐effectiveness of psychotherapies in comparison with no treatment, waiting‐list controls, attention‐placebos, and treatment as usual in depressed youths. Method:  Meta‐analyses were undertaken by using data from all relevant randomized‐controlled trials identified by a comprehensive literature search. The primary outcome was relative risk (RR) of response. Results:  We identified 27 studies containing 35 comparisons and 1744 participants. At post‐treatment, psychotherapy was significantly superior (RR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.18–1.65, P = 0.0001, number‐needed to treat 4.3). There was an evidence of the existence of small study effects, including a publication bias (P