[Complementary treatment methods for depression in children and adolescents]

Area of Science:

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Mental Health Research
• Evidence-Based Medicine

Context:

• Depressive disorders affect 1-3% of prepubertal and 6% of postpubertal children and adolescents globally.
• These disorders significantly impair psychosocial development and increase morbidity and mortality.
• Physicians often face uncertainty regarding effective treatment strategies and planning for pediatric depression.

Purpose:

• To systematically review and summarize the evidence for complementary treatment methods for depressive disorders in children and adolescents.
• To identify gaps in research and inform future treatment guidelines.

Summary:

• A comprehensive literature search identified over 450 studies, primarily randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
• Evidence for most complementary treatments (e.g., art therapy, music therapy, exercise, light therapy) is low or absent due to limited or low-quality studies.
• Limited evidence suggests potential effectiveness for light therapy, relaxation, stress reduction, and sleep deprivation, but lacks sufficient data for practical guidance.

Impact:

• Highlights the urgent need for high-quality, comparative studies on pediatric depression treatments, including complementary methods.
• Informs clinicians about the current limitations in evidence for various complementary therapies.
• Aims to improve treatment planning and outcomes for children and adolescents with depressive disorders.