Ten RCTs were included in the review (total number of patients not reported), five of which were included in meta-analyses (n=223). The follow-up durations of included RCTs were not reported.
Patients with substance-use disorders and co-morbid depression (five RCTs): Integrated psychological therapy was significantly associated with a reduction in Hamilton Rating Scale compared with controls of a single-focus treatment (WMD -4.56, 95% CI -7.37 to -1.74; four RCTs), a reduction in the self-reported depressive symptom outcome using SCL-90 or Beck Depression Inventory (SMD -0.58, 95% CI -1.1 to -0.06; four RCTs) and a reduction in percent days abstinent (WMD 14.13, 95% CI 2.14 to 26.12; three RCTs). There was no significant difference in the drop-out rate from treatment between the two groups. Statistically significant heterogeneity was observed only in the outcome of Hamilton Rating Scale for depression (I2=61%, p=0.05).
Patients with substance use disorders and co-morbid anxiety (five RCTs): Patients fared better in several studies when assigned to substance-use treatment only (except for a small study of obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment).