The effects of treatment via telemedicine interventions for patients with depression on depressive symptoms and quality of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aim: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to identify, evaluate, and synthesize the evidence from studies that have investigated the treatment effect via telemedicine interventions on depressive symptoms, quality of life, and work and social functioning in patients with depression. Methods: Six electronic databases (MEDLINE [1916–2021], PubMED [1950–2021], PsycINFO [1971–2021], Scopus [2004–2021], Embase [1972–2021], and CINAHL [1937–2021]) were systematically searched in March 2021. Reference lists of identified articles were hand searched. Randomized controlled trials were included if they investigated the treatment effects via telemedicine interventions in patients who had a depression diagnosis. Quality assessment was evaluated using the critical appraisal checklists developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Results: Seventeen (17) trials (n = 2,394) met eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. Eleven (11) randomized controlled trials shared common outcome measures, allowing meta-analysis. The results provided evidence that treatment via telemedicine interventions were beneficial for depressive symptoms (standardized mean difference= −0.44; 95% CI= −0.64 to −0.25; p < .001) and quality of life (standardized mean difference= 0.25, 95% CI −0.01 to 0.49, p = .04) in patients of depression. There were insufficient data for meta-analysis of work and social functioning. Conclusion: This study showed the positive effects of treatment via KEY MESSAGES: Telemedicine is effective at reducing symptoms of depression. Telemedicine can improve quality of life in persons with depression.