Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of PST on symptoms of depression in depressed non-institutionalised adults (at least 18 years) were eligible for inclusion in the review. Eligible control groups included placebo and other treatments including both pharmacological and psychosocial treatments.
The majority of included studies assessed individual PST therapy. The remainder assessed the effects of group or telephone-based PST. Most interventions lasted at least 12 weeks (range 4 to 52 weeks), with an average of eight sessions delivered over 10 weeks (median 6; standard deviation (SD) 10.24). The majority of interventions were compared with usual care/treatment or placebo; others were compared with waiting-list control, medication (paroxetine, fluvoxamine, amitriptyline), a psychosocial intervention (supportive or reminiscence therapy or psychoeducation) or other interventions such as home-based hospice care. Included participants were mainly Caucasian females. Participant age ranged between 18 and 90 years. The most frequently reported outcome measure was depression severity, usually reported using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) or the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Outcomes were most commonly assessed over a period of 52 weeks (range 8 to 52 weeks).
Two reviewers independently assessed studies for inclusion.