Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38166836›Full record

SynthesisBMC psychiatry2024

A meta-analysis on the efficacy of low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy for generalised anxiety disorder.

Candice L Y M Powell, Chun Yuen Chiu, Xiaoqi Sun, Suzanne Ho-Wai So

Abstract readMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC psychiatry, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Candice L Y M PowellClinical Psychological Services, New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
Chun Yuen ChiuClinical Psychological Services, New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
Xiaoqi SunDepartment of Psychology, Hunan Normal University, Hunan, China.
Suzanne Ho-Wai SoDepartment of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Room 321, Wong Foo Yuan Building, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China. shwso@psy.cuhk.edu.hk.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundLow-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy (LICBT) has been recommended as a primary intervention in the tiered care for mild to moderate generalised anxiety disorder. However, LICBT for generalised anxiety disorder are markedly diverse and efficacy data on various outcomes have not been systematically reviewed. This meta-analysis aimed to synthesise effect sizes of three NICE-recommended LICBT for generalised anxiety disorder: non-facilitated self-help, guided self-help, and psychoeducational groups.

methodsA systematic literature review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) examining LICBT for generalised anxiety disorder in the last 23 years (2000-2023) was conducted. Efficacy data for anxiety, depression, and worry outcomes were separately meta-analysed. The study was reported following the PRISMA guidelines.

resultsThe systematic review identified 12 RCTs out of 1205 papers. The three meta-analyses consisted of 12 (anxiety), 11 (depression), and 9 (worry) effect sizes respectively, including total sample sizes of 1201 (anxiety), 1164 (depression), and 908 (worry). The adjusted effect sizes for reductions in anxiety (g = -0.63), depression (g = -0.48), and worry (g = -0.64) were all in the medium range, favouring LICBT over control conditions. Between-study heterogeneity was significant on anxiety and worry, with no specific moderators identified by meta-regression.

conclusionsLICBT has shown promise as an effective and efficient treatment modality for individuals with generalised anxiety disorder. Future research comparing various LICBT subtypes and treatment components will further inform clinical practice.

trial registrationThis systematic review protocol has been registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; record ID CRD42021285590).

Indexed as

Anxiety DisordersCognitive Behavioral TherapyAnxietyHumansSystematic Reviews as TopicDepressionGADGeneralised anxietyNICE guidelinePsychoeducationReviewSelf-helpStepped careWorry

Identifiers

PMID38166836
PMCPMC10763350

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.