Cognitive behavioural therapy for depression, quality of life, and cognitive function in the post‐stroke period: systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract The post‐stroke period is associated with a lot of sequelae, including depression, decreased quality of life, and decline of cognitive function. Apart from the pharmacotherapy, it is also important to find a non‐pharmacological treatment to relieve the sequelae. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) might be a potential candidate, which can be clarified by a systematic review and meta‐analysis. The eligible criteria of enrolled studies in the systematic review and meta‐analysis were the randomised clinical trials (RCTs) using CBT to treat post‐stroke depression, or with the focus on quality of life or cognitive function in the post‐stroke period. The endpoint scores of depression, quality of life, and cognitive function scales were the targeted outcome for the final meta‐analysis in the random effects model. Ten RCTs with 432 post‐stroke patients receiving CBT and 385 controls were included. The meta‐analysis results showed significant improvements in depression severity and quality of life. However, no significant difference between CBT and control groups was found in cognitive function. In addition, significant heterogeneity was derived from the meta‐analysis. According to the meta‐analysis results, CBT might be beneficial for relieving depression severity and improving quality of life. However, cognitive function might not be influenced by CBT. Further studies with a more consistent CBT design with greater sample sizes should be warranted to clarify and confirm the treatment effects of CBT for post‐stroke depression and quality of life.