General Hospital Psychiatry
Volume 33, Issue 1 , Pages 29-36, January 2011

Efficacy of peer support interventions for depression: a meta-analysis☆

  • Paul N. Pfeiffer, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Health Services Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
    • Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. SMITREC/VA Ann Arbor Center for Excellence P.O. Box 130170 Ann Arbor, MI 48113-0170, USA. Tel.: +1 734 232 0070; fax: +1 734 734 615 8739.
    • ,
  • Michele Heisler, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Health Services Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
    • Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
    • ,
  • John D. Piette, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Health Services Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
    • Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
    • ,
  • Mary A.M. Rogers, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
    • ,
  • Marcia Valenstein, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Health Services Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
    • Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Received 4 June 2010; accepted 1 October 2010. published online 15 November 2010.

Abstract 

Objective

To assess the efficacy of peer support for reducing symptoms of depression.

Methods

Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL and CENTRAL databases were searched for clinical trials published as of April 2010 using Medical Subject Headings and free text terms related to depression and peer support. Two independent reviewers selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared a peer support intervention for depression to usual care or a psychotherapy control condition. Meta-analyses were conducted to generate pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) in the change in depressive symptoms between study conditions.

Results

Seven RCTs of peer support vs. usual care for depression involving 869 participants were identified. Peer support interventions were superior to usual care in reducing depressive symptoms, with a pooled SMD of −0.59 (95% CI, −0.98 to −0.21; P=.002). Seven RCTs with 301 total participants compared peer support to group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). There was no statistically significant difference between group CBT and peer interventions, with a pooled SMD of 0.10 (95% CI, −0.20 to 0.39, P=.53).

Conclusion

Based on the available evidence, peer support interventions help reduce symptoms of depression. Additional studies are needed to determine effectiveness in primary care and other settings with limited mental health resources.

Keywords: Systematic, Review, Self-help, Mutual, Depressed, Psychotherapy

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☆ This research was supported by the VA Health Services Research & Development Service (IIR 08-325), Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center (NIH DK020572) and the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (NIH UL1RR024986).

PII: S0163-8343(10)00198-2

doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2010.10.002

General Hospital Psychiatry
Volume 33, Issue 1 , Pages 29-36, January 2011

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