Effectiveness of Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for employees with depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objectives. The effectiveness of Internet interventions for employees with depressive disorder remains controversial. We summarized all available evidence exploring the role of Internet interventions in reducing employees’ depressive symptoms. Methods. This study was a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis that included acceptability and preliminary feasibility studies. We excluded programme descriptions, discussion articles and study protocols. We followed the PRISMA guidelines and searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science from database inception to May 2021 for articles published in English. We extracted data concerning demographics, intervention format, including Internet interventions, control group conditions and outcome measures. We used a random-effects model and calculated Hedges’ g values for the scores of employees receiving Internet interventions versus control conditions. This systematic review is registered as INPLASY202160082. Results. Data from 19 studies were included. These 19 studies included 5898 participants (2813 participants received Internet interventions, 3085 participants were in control groups). Conclusions. The findings suggest that Internet interventions can be effective in improving depression in employees. However, more randomized controlled trials are needed to provide better evidence regarding Internet interventions for employees with depression, and robust studies are needed to observe the effectiveness of Internet interventions.

KEYWORDS:

• Internet intervention
• employees
• depression
• meta-analysis

Acknowledgements

This article has benefited from the comments and suggestions of the two anonymous reviewers.

Data availability statement

The data supporting the findings of this study are available in Table 1, Table 2, Online Appendix 1, Online Appendix 2.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Project: 2020CDJSK07XK14).