Williams, S., & Dale, J. (2006). The effectiveness of treatment for depression/depressive symptoms in adults with cancer: A systematic review. British Journal of Cancer, 94, 372–390.
To perform a systematic review of studies regarding the efficacy of psychotherapeutic and antidepressant interventions for cancer patients with depression or symptoms of depression
The total number of references retrieved was 164. Authors conducted analysis according to the methodological-quality instrument developed Bo, Cho, and Bero.
The final number of included studies was 24. The sample range across studies of pharmacologic intervention was 892 (range = 40–549); of psychotherapeutic intervention, 2,518 (range = 36–450). Studies related to multiple disease sites.
Some evidence indicates that antidepressants are effective in reducing symptoms of depression in patients with cancer. Overall tolerability of antidepressants appeared to be good. Cognitive behavioral therapy was effective in reducing symptoms of depression. Another intervention that might be effective is the use of social support groups.
Findings suggest that antidepressants, cognitive behavioral interventions, and support-group interventions can have a positive impact on symptoms of depression in patients with cancer. Variability in findings suggests that these interventions are likely to be of most benefit to patients who actually have clinically meaningful symptoms of depression. Further research regarding the efficacy of antidepressants in the included patients is needed. Studies should include data about co-interventions for depression.