Are cognitive behavioural therapy, cognitive therapy, and behavioural activation for depression effective in primary...

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a recommended first-line treatment for depression. Evidence mainly derives from studies in secondary care, though most treatment occurs in primary care. This review examined efficacy of CBT, cognitive therapy (CT), or behavioural activation (BA) for depression within primary care. Databases were searched for trials up to 23rd July 2024. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, version 2.0.44 studies were included. CBT, CT, and BA significantly reduced depression symptoms compared to inactive controls (k = 40, g = 0.44, p < .001), but not active comparators (other therapies, medication or exercise) (k = 9, g = -0.06, p = .24). Heterogeneity was significant in studies comparing CBT, CT, or BA to inactive controls, but not in studies using active comparators. Most studies were rated at high risk of bias (36 studies, 81.8 %), predominantly due to use of patient-rated outcome measures in non-blinded studies, lack of ITT analyses, and lack of pre-registering protocols, all of which may result in inflated effect sizes. Although CBT, CT, or BA appears effective for depression in primary care against usual care or waiting list controls, when compared to active comparators no significant difference is seen, likely a result of variability in the quality of the included studies. Large studies of improved quality (including use of blinded observer-rated outcome measures and ITT analyses) may be required to justify guideline recommendations for CBT over other interventions for depression specifically in primary care.