RNMeta-AnalysisScandinavian journal of caring sciences2025

The Efficacy of Nurse-Delivered Psychosocial and Psychotherapeutic Interventions for Individuals With Mental Health Issues: A Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.

Sevda Uzun, Elif Güzide Emirza, Kübra Gülırmak Güler

PMID 40469034

WHAT IT FOUND

Nurse-delivered psychosocial and psychotherapeutic interventions showed improvements in depression, anxiety and quality of life in people with mental health issues.

The trials varied widely in condition, intervention and duration, so this does not point to one best programme.

Key findings

01The meta-analysis of 16 trials found a significant improvement in depression levels.

02The meta-analysis of 12 trials found a significant improvement in quality of life.

03The meta-analysis of 11 trials found a significant reduction in anxiety levels.

STILL TO COME

How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs

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What it does not show

The trials combined many different mental health conditions, nurse-delivered interventions, durations and settings, so the pooled result may not apply to one patient. The studies were highly heterogeneous, which weakens the meaning of a single average effect. Some trials had small samples, were not blinded, or used pre-post designs. Only published studies were included, so negative results may be missing. The paper does not show which specific intervention worked best for which condition.

Declared interests

The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

The easy way to misread this

Do not conclude that any nurse-delivered mental health intervention will work for any patient. The pooled analysis combined very different conditions, interventions and durations, and the authors say this heterogeneity makes comparison difficult.

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