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TL;DR
Pooled analysis suggested reduction in depressive symptoms, but high heterogeneity and low study quality precluded definitive conclusions about effectiveness.
International Journal of Mental Health · 15 authors, 9 centres
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Pooled analysis suggested reduction in depressive symptoms, but high heterogeneity and low study quality precluded definitive conclusions about effectiveness.
Five studies (669 participants total, with 404 from one study) were included for the effectiveness analysis, and 14 studies contributed to barriers analysis. The pooled standardized mean difference for depressive symptoms versus usual care was −2.31, but with I² of 96.0%, indicating very high heterogeneity. Four studies (265 participants) showed a pooled SMD of −2.22 for anxiety symptoms. None of the studies reported adverse events, and only one measured quality of life without reporting results. The authors concluded that due to high heterogeneity and low study quality, definitive effectiveness cannot be determined. Multiple context-specific barriers to intervention delivery were identified at individual, organizational, and policy levels.