Effects of Web-Based Psychotherapeutic Interventions on Depression in Mood Disorders: A Meta-Analysis Study

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of web-based psychotherapeutic interventions on depression among individuals with mood disorders. METHOD: For this meta-analysis study, data were obtained from October to December 2023 by searching PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, and YÖK Thesis Center for articles published in the past 5 years. In the first stage of the search, 12,056 records were obtained. After removing duplicate studies, 4,910 records were considered for title and abstract review. After this evaluation, 139 studies were identified for full-text review. After the review, six studies reporting results on the effectiveness of web-based psychotherapeutic interventions on depression among individuals with mood disorders were ultimately included. RESULTS: Web-based interventions had significant positive effects and provided decreases in depression levels (standardized mean difference = –0.168, 95% confidence interval [–0.315, –0.021]; Z = –2.243; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Web-based interventions for mood disorders may play an effective role in reducing the burden of chronic mental illness and improving patient outcomes.