Qiao MX, Yu H, Li T. Non-invasive neurostimulation to improve sleep quality and depressive symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
J Psychiatr Res 2024;
176:282-292. [PMID:
38905761 DOI:
10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.06.023]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Non-invasive neurostimulation, including bright light therapy (BLT), repetitive transcranial magnetic (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), has been shown to alleviate depressive symptoms in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the efficacy of these interventions in addressing sleep disturbances in MDD patients remains a subject of debate.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the effectiveness of non-invasive neurostimulation in improving sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms in MDD patients.
METHODS
Systematic searches for relevant RCTs were conducted in the databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBASE, Wanfang and China National Knowledge Infrastructure up to January 2024. Data on outcomes comparable across the studies were meta-analyzed using Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 14. The pooled results were reported as standardized mean differences (SMD) with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CI).
RESULTS
Our analysis encompassed 15 RCTs involving 1348 patients. Compared to sham or no stimulation, non-invasive neurostimulation significantly improved sleep quality (SMD -0.74, 95%CI -1.15 to -0.33, p = 0.0004) and sleep efficiency (SMD 0.35, 95%CI 0.10 to 0.60, p = 0.006). It also significantly reduced severity of depressive symptoms (SMD -0.62, 95%CI -0.90 to -0.35, p < 0.00001). Subgroup analysis further demonstrated that patients experiencing sleep improvements due to neurostimulation showed a marked decrease in depressive symptoms compared to the control group (SMD = -0.90, 95% CI [-1.26, -0.54], p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSION
Current evidence from RCTs suggests that neurostimulation can enhance sleep quality and efficiency in individuals with MDD, which in turn may be associated with mitigation of depressive symptoms.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION
CRD42023423844.
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