Untreated and under-treated depressive symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis in an Australian context: A secondary analysis

The efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy for depression and anxiety in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently experience symptoms of depression and anxiety, which pose significant challenges. However, psychological support for these symptoms remains a major unmet healthcare need.

OBJECTIVES

To inform the evidence base for the psychological management of adults with MS, this study examined the efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) interventions for improving symptoms of depression and anxiety. CBT interventions teach skills for improving the relationships between an individual's thoughts, feelings, and/or behaviours. The study also examined the role of intervention and study characteristics as moderators of treatment effects.

METHODS

Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched up to August 2024 for randomised control trials.

RESULTS

A meta-analysis of 15 clinical trials (1508 participants) was conducted, which found a medium significant treatment effect size for depression symptoms (g = 0.59, 95 % Confidence Interval [CI] [0.38, 0.80]) and a small significant treatment effect size for anxiety symptoms (g = 0.38 95 % CI [0.19, 0.57]). Moderator analyses revealed treatment effects for anxiety, but not depression, were significantly larger for studies conducted in non-Western countries compared to Western countries, and for those with smaller sample sizes.

CONCLUSIONS

CBT-based interventions appear efficacious for the management of depression and anxiety symptoms in adults with MS. However, future clinical trials with larger samples and more rigorous methodology are warranted. Further examination of intervention characteristics, including ways in which CBT is tailored and how this relates to outcomes, may help to refine interventions for people with MS.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Detection and Treatment of Depression in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review

Purpose of Review

The association of multiple sclerosis (MS) with depression has been well documented; however, it frequently remains undiagnosed, untreated, or undertreated, with consequences to the person, family, and economy. The aim of this study was to determine the quality, scope, and consistency of available guidelines and consensus statements to guide clinicians managing people with comorbid MS and depression.

Recent Findings

Based on our systematic search of the literature, 6 guidelines and consensus statements met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 4 presented recommendations on depression screening in MS and 5 offered recommendations for treatment. Despite most guidelines presenting evidence-based recommendations, they were generally of low-quality evidence overall. Inconsistencies identified across guidelines and consensus statements included variations in recommendation for routine screening and which screening tool to use. Most guidelines lacked detail, often referring to general population guidelines without describing to what extent they can be applied to people with MS.

Summary

The findings of this review highlight the need to develop high-quality, comprehensive clinical practice guidelines with clear recommendations that can be globally implemented by healthcare clinicians working with people with MS.

Comparing the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of interventions for depressive symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol

BACKGROUND

Comorbid depression is prevalent in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Depression is commonly untreated or undertreated, thus, there is a need for effective and safe interventions and current guidelines recommend psychological and pharmaceutical interventions for people with MS. However, research suggests that other interventions, such as exercise, could also be effective. The comparative efficacy and safety of intervention modalities have not been quantified.We plan to conduct a systematic review and network meta-analysis to compare efficacy and safety of psychological, pharmaceutical, physical and magnetic stimulation interventions for depression in people with MS.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will search EMBASE, Medline, Cochrane CENTRAL, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL and PEDro from inception to 31 December 2021. Search terms will stem from three concepts: MS, depression and randomised controlled trials. Included studies will be randomised controlled trials, where participants are people with MS randomised to receive one of the aforementioned intervention types, and depression or depressive symptoms is the primary outcome, only outcome or secondary outcome with an a priori power calculation. Screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessment (using the Risk of Bias 2 tool) will be conducted independently by two reviewers. If possible, we will synthesise the evidence by fitting a frequentist network meta-analysis model with multivariate random effects, or a pairwise random-effects meta-analysis model. For each model, efficacy will be measured using a standardised mean difference, and safety using an OR. We plan to provide summary measures including forest plots, a geometry of the network, surface under the cumulative ranking curve, and a league table, and perform subgroup analyses. Otherwise, a narrative review will be provided.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics is not required for a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Results will be published in a peer reviewed journal.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020209803.