Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible for inclusion.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies investigating treatments for minor depression were eligible for inclusion. The following interventions were investigated in the included studies: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and interpersonal-based therapy (IPT) as the only intervention; antidepressant therapy (amitriptyline or isocarboxazid) as the only intervention; exercise training; multifaceted system of care change; and selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors or problem-solving therapy.
Participants included in the review
Studies including participants meeting the APA DSM-IV or RDC criteria for minor depression were eligible for inclusion. Studies including participants with mixed diagnoses, where there were no separate outcome data on minor depression, were excluded.
Outcomes assessed in the review
No inclusion criteria were reported with regards to the outcomes. The outcomes reported in the included studies were: change on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D); improvement on the physician-rated Clinical Global Impression; improvement on the Symptom Check List; proportion with fewer than 11 points on the Geriatric Depression Scale; proportion of patients in remission (proportion no longer meeting admission criteria); and proportion of patients in remission (HAM-D <7).
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors do not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many of the reviewers performed the selection.