This Article Extract Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 40/7/e485    most recent STROKEAHA.109.547042v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Google Scholar Articles by Hackett, M. L. Articles by Halteh, C. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Hackett, M. L. Articles by Halteh, C. Related Collections Other Stroke Treatment - Medical

(Stroke. 2009;40:e485.)
© 2009 American Heart Association, Inc.

Cochrane Corner

Interventions for Preventing Depression After Stroke

Maree L. Hackett, PhD; Craig S. Anderson, PhD, FRACP, FAFPHM; Allan O. House, DM, MRCP, MRCPsych Christina Halteh, BPharm(Hons)

From the George Institute for International Health (M.L.H., C.S.A.), University of Sydney and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia; the Leeds Institute of Health Sciences (A.O.H.), The University of Leeds, UK; and the NHMRC Clinical Trials Research Centre (C.H.), University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia.

Correspondence to Maree Hackett, The George Institute for International Health, PO Box M201, Missenden Road, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia. E-mail mhackett{at}george.org.au

Graeme J. Hankey MD, FRCP Section Editor:

Key Words: clinical trials • depression • prevention • meta-analysis

	Introduction

Top Introduction Search Strategy Selection Criteria Results Discussion References

 
Depression is a common and important consequence of stroke that impacts on recovery, yet we do little to prevent its development. Little is known about whether treatments started early after stroke will reduce the risk of developing depressive symptoms. This is an update of a Cochrane review we first published in 2004 to determine whether pharmaceutical or psychological interventions can prevent depression and improve physical and psychological outcomes in patients with stroke.¹

	Search Strategy

Top Introduction Search Strategy Selection Criteria Results Discussion References

 
We searched the trials registers of the Cochrane Stroke Group (last searched October 2007) and the Cochrane Depression Anxiety and Neurosis Group (last searched February 2008). In addition, we searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2008), MEDLINE (1966 to May 2006), EMBASE (1980 to May 2006), CINAHL (1982 to May 2006), PsycINFO (1967 to May 2006), and other databases. We also searched reference lists, clinical trials registers, conference proceedings, and dissertation abstracts, and contacted authors, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies.

	Selection Criteria

Top Introduction Search Strategy Selection Criteria Results Discussion References

 
We considered all truly randomized controlled trials comparing pharmaceutical agents with placebo, or psychotherapy against standard care (or attention control) to prevent depression in patients with stroke.

	Results

Top Introduction Search Strategy Selection Criteria Results Discussion References

 
We identified fourteen trials involving 1515 participants at entry. Data were available for 10 pharmaceutical trials (12 comparisons) and 4 psychotherapy trials. The time from stroke to entry into a trial ranged from a few hours to 7 months, but most patients were recruited within 1 month of acute stroke. The duration of treatments ranged from 2 weeks to 1 year.

A statistically significant improvement in mood (weighted mean difference –1.37; 95% confidence interval –2.33 to –0.4) and the prevention of depression (odds ratio 0.64, 95% confidence interval 0.42 to 0.98, See Figure) was evident for psychotherapy, but the treatment effects were small and did not improve other outcomes.

View larger version (19K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure. Psychological interventions versus standard care (or attention control): meeting study criteria for depression at the end of treatment.2,3

There is no evidence of efficacy of antidepressants preventing depression or improving physical recovery.

	Discussion

Top Introduction Search Strategy Selection Criteria Results Discussion References

 
The addition of 3 new psychotherapy trials since 2004 has altered previous findings to show a small but significant effect of psychotherapy on improving mood and preventing depression. This probably endorses the use of more structured approaches to the use of education, advice, and problem solving targeting emotional recovery and adjustment to the effects of stroke. However, more evidence is required before recommendations can be made about the routine use of such treatments after stroke as only a small proportion of stroke survivors are eligible to participate in these clinical trials. With the addition of 1 new pharmacotherapy trial there is no evidence of efficacy of antidepressants for preventing depression and the treatment trials indicate the risk of adverse events. Antidepressants and psychostimulants should not be used to prevent depression after stroke.

There is a need for further research using more rigorous methods including concealment of randomization, and blinded treatment allocation and outcome assessments. Future trials to prevent depression after stroke should be of adequate power, include participants recruited within 4 to 6 weeks of the onset of stroke, clearly identify a priori primary and secondary end points, and include prospective assessment and complete reporting of adverse events. Any preventative strategy should be continued for at least 6 months to allow the maximum effect on the natural history of the disorder.

	Acknowledgments

 
We thank the Cochrane Stroke Group, particularly Brenda Thomas, for searching the Cochrane Stroke Register and for assistance with developing the search strategies. We also thank Hazel Fraser for assistance throughout the review process.

Sources of Funding

The 2004 published review was supported by a grant from the Stroke Society of Australasia, with additional financial assistance provided by the Academic Unit of Psychiatry, the University of Leeds, and the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, the University of Edinburgh.

Disclosures

During the completion of this work Maree Hackett was in receipt of a National Health and Medical Research Council Public Health (Australia) Fellowship (2006–2009).

Received January 6, 2009; accepted January 12, 2009.

	References

Top Introduction Search Strategy Selection Criteria Results Discussion References

 
1. Hackett ML, Anderson CS, House AO, Halteh C. Interventions for preventing depression after stroke. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2008:Art. No.: CD003689. DOI: 003610.001002/14651858.CD14003689.pub14651853.

2. House A, Knapp P, Bamford J, Vail A. Mortality at 12 and 24 months after stroke may be associated with depressive symptoms at 1 month. Stroke. 2001; 32: 696–701.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

3. Watkins CL, Auton MF, Deans CF, Dickinson HA, Jack CIA, Lightbody CE, Sutton CJ, van den Broek MD, Leathley MJ. Motivational interviewing early after acute stroke: A randomized, controlled trial. Stroke. 2007; 38: 1004–1009.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

This Article Extract Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 40/7/e485    most recent STROKEAHA.109.547042v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Google Scholar Articles by Hackett, M. L. Articles by Halteh, C. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Hackett, M. L. Articles by Halteh, C. Related Collections Other Stroke Treatment - Medical