Meta-analysis: ultra-brief treatments for depression and anxiety

The files include data relating to a meta-analysis of the efficacy of ultra-brief psychological treatments for anxiety and depression. The files include (1) data relating to between-group effect sizes, (2) data relating to risk of bias ratings for included studies, and (3) data relating to within-group effect sizes. ABSTRACT FROM ASSOCIATED MANUSCRIPT:Depression and anxiety are common but most adults experiencing these symptoms do not receive psychological treatment. Ultra-brief psychological treatments are a time-limited and potentially lower cost option for those who would otherwise not receive treatment. This prospectively registered review examined the acceptability and efficacy of ultra-brief psychological treatments for adults with depression or anxiety symptoms. A systematic search was undertaken up to April 2025. All clinical trials examining an ultra-brief psychological treatment for adults with depression or anxiety symptoms were included. This review returned 16,670 results and included 34 studies (N = 3,679). High rates of uptake (91% [95% CI 86, 94]) and completion (96% [95% CI 90, 98]) were reported. Compared to control, treatment resulted in small to moderate reductions in depression g = 0.35 (k = 20, 95% CI 0.13, 0.56) and moderate reductions in anxiety g = 0.51 (k = 14, 95% CI 0.40, 0.61) at post-treatment. Within-group effects appear to be maintained at follow-up. Several moderators of between-group and within-group effects were identified. Risk of bias judgements are reported, and overall heterogeneity was high. Ultra-brief treatments appear to be acceptable and associated with significant symptom improvements. Larger clinical trials with longer follow-up periods are needed.

本数据集文件包含针对焦虑与抑郁的超短程心理治疗（ultra-brief psychological treatments）疗效的荟萃分析（meta-analysis）相关数据。文件涵盖三类数据：(1) 组间效应量相关数据；(2) 纳入研究的偏倚风险评级相关数据；(3) 组内效应量相关数据。

关联手稿摘要如下：
抑郁与焦虑均为常见精神障碍，但多数出现此类症状的成年人并未获得心理治疗。超短程心理治疗对于原本无法获取常规治疗的人群而言，是一种受时间约束且潜在低成本的可选方案。本项预先注册的综述旨在评估伴抑郁或焦虑症状成年人接受超短程心理治疗的可接受性与疗效。本研究开展了截至2025年4月的系统文献检索，纳入所有针对该人群的超短程心理治疗临床试验。本次综述共检索得到16670条结果，最终纳入34项研究（总样本量N=3679）。研究报告了极高的受试者参与率（91%，95%置信区间[86, 94]）与治疗完成率（96%，95%置信区间[90, 98]）。与对照组相比，超短程心理治疗组在治疗后可使抑郁症状出现小至中等程度的改善（g=0.35，k=20，95%置信区间[0.13, 0.56]），焦虑症状则出现中等程度改善（g=0.51，k=14，95%置信区间[0.40, 0.61]）。组内效应在随访阶段似乎得以维持。本研究已识别出若干影响组间与组内效应的调节变量。研究报告了偏倚风险评估结果，且整体异质性较高。超短程心理治疗的可接受性良好，且可显著改善精神症状。未来仍需开展样本量更大、随访周期更长的临床试验。