The effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for depression in women with breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:

Depression is a common co-morbidity in women with breast cancer. Previous systematic reviews investigating cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for depression in this population based their conclusions on findings from studies with varying and often limited specificity, quality and/or quantity of CBT within their interventions.

Aim: To determine the effectiveness of a specific, well-evidenced CBT protocol for depression in women with breast cancer.

Method:

Online databases were systematically searched to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) testing CBT (aligned to Beck’s protocol) as a treatment for depression in women with breast cancer. Screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessment were independently undertaken by two study authors. Both narrative synthesis and meta-analysis were used to analyse the data. The meta-analysis used a random effects model to compare CBT with non-active/active controls of depression using validated, self-report measures.

Results:

Six RCTs were included in the narrative synthesis, and five in the meta-analysis (n = 531 participants). Overall, CBT demonstrated an improvement in depression scores in the CBT condition versus active and non-active controls at post-intervention (SMD = –0.93 [95% CI –1.47, –0.40]). Narratively, five out of six RCTs reported statistically significant improvements in depression symptoms for CBT over control conditions for women with breast cancer.

Conclusion:

CBT aligned to Beck’s protocol for depression appears effective for treating depression in women with breast cancer. However, further research is needed for women with stage IV breast cancer. The clinical recommendation is that therapists utilise Beck’s CBT protocol for depression, whilst considering the complex presentation and adapt their practice accordingly.