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Mental health reviews by topic

Issue 2, 2008 of The Cochrane Library included 6 reviews and 6 protocols on mental health.  Topics and reviews on schizophrenia, depression, anxiety and neurosis are presented on this site. A full list of topics and reviews is given below.

Click on the title to view the full review or protocol

Log on to The Cochrane Library to read protocols and full reviews. (click here for search tip)

[R] Cochrane review

[P] Protocol for Cochrane review
[S] Summary of Cochrane review available

Quick links to depression, anxiety and neurosis topics:

Topic Reviews and Protocols 
Click on title to view review or protocol
Mood disorders Due to medical conditions
  1. No reviews currently available for this topic
Due to substance-induced mood disorder
  1. No reviews currently available for this topic
Mood disorder not otherwise specified
  1. Lithium for maintenance treatment of mood disorders  [R]
  2. Light therapy for seasonal affective disorder  [P]
  3. Antiglucocorticoid treatments for mood disorders [R]
  4. Exercise in prevention and treatment of anxiety and depression among children and young people  [R]
  5. Exercise to improve self-esteem in children and young people  [R]  [S] 
  6. Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapies for common mental disorders  [R]  [S]
  7. Return to work interventions for adjustment disorders  [P]
  8. Interventions for mood and anxiety disorders, and self harm in young offenders  [P]

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Depressive disorders Major depressive disorder
  1. Antidepressants and benzodiazepines for major depression  [R]
  2. Low dosage tricyclic antidepressants for depression  [R]  [S]
Dysthymic disorder
  1. Drugs versus placebo for dysthymia  [R]
  2. Pharmacotherapy for dysthymia  [R]  [S]
Depressive disorder
  1. Active placebos versus antidepressants for depression  [R]  [S]
  2. Antidepressant treatment for post-natal depression  [R]  [S]
  3. Antidepressants versus placebo for the depressed elderly  [R]
  4. St John's wort for depression  [R]  [S]
  5. Transcranial magnetic stimulation for treating depression  [R]
  6. Tricyclic drugs for depression in children and adolescents  [R]
  7. Tryptophan and 5-Hydroxytryptophan for depression  [R]
  8. Antidepressants alone versus psychotherapy alone for depression  [P]
  9. Antidepressants for depressed elderly  [R]  [S]
  10. Brief psychological therapies versus treatment as usual for depression  [P]
  11. Combinations of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy for depression  [P]
  12. Electroconvulsive therapy for the depressed elderly  [R]  [S]
  13. Folate for depressive disorders  [R]  [S]
  14. Lithium versus antidepressants in the maintenance treatment of unipolar depressive disorder  [R]  [S]
  15. Minimal contact psychotherapy for depression  [P]
  16. Pharmacological versus non-pharmacological interventions for refractory depression  [P]
  17. Psychological and/or educational interventions for the prevention of depression in children and adolescents  [R]  [S]
  18. Acupuncture for depression  [R]
  19. Inositol for depressive disorders  [R] [S]
  20. Light therapy for non-seasonal depression  [R]  [S]
  21. Pharmacological treatment for psychotic depression  [R]  [S]
  22. Brief cognitive-behavioural therapies versus other brief psychological therapies for depression  [P]
  23. Amitriptyline versus other types of pharmacotherapy for depression  [R]  [S]
  24. The effectiveness of psychosocial interventions delivered by general practitioners  [R]  [S]
  25. Fluoxetine versus other types of pharmacotherapy for depression  [R]  [S]
  26. Marital therapy for depression  [R]  [S]
  27. Thioridazine for anxiety and depressive disorders  [P]
  28. Antidepressant prevention of postnatal depression  [R]
  29. Music therapy for depression  [R]
  30. Light therapy for seasonal affective disorder  [P]
  31. Omega 3 fatty acids for depression  [P]
  32. Psychotherapeutic treatments for older depressed people  [R]
  33. Interventions for helping people recognise early signs of recurrence in depression  [P]
  34. Sertraline versus other anti-depressive agents for depression  [P]
  35. Psychosocial and psychological interventions for treating postpartum depression  [R]  [S]
  36. Fluvoxamine versus other anti-depressive agents for depression  [P]
  37. Screening and case finding instruments for depression  [R]  [S]
  38. Neurosurgery for obsessive-compulsive disorder, other anxiety disorders and depressive disorders  [P]
  39. Psychotherapy for depression in children and adolescents  [P]
  40. Psychosocial interventions for prevention of psychological disorders in law enforcement officers  [P]
  41. Antidepressants in the treatment of depression in dementia  [R]  [S] 
  42. Interventions for preventing depression after stroke  [R]  [S]
  43. Antidepressants for anorexia nervosa  [R]  [S]  
  44. Interventions to improve occupational health in depressed people  [P]
  45. Interventions (other than pharmacological, psychosocial or psychological) for treating antenatal depression  [P]
  46. Pharmacological therapy for depression in primary brain tumours  [P]
  47. Interventions to improve occupational health in depressed people  [R]
  48. Psychostimulants for depression  [R]
  49. Psychotherapy for depression among incurable cancer patients  [R]
  50. Alprazolam for depression  [P]
  51. Relaxation for depression  [P]
  52. Tai Chi for depression  [P]

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Bipolar disorder Bipolar I and II disorder
  1. Valproic acid, valproate and divalproex in the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder  [R]
  2. Valproate for acute mood episodes in bipolar disorder  [R]  [S]
  3. Lithium for acute mania  [P]
  4. Lithium for bipolar depression  [P]
  5. Risperidone alone or in combination for acute mania  [R]
  6. Olanzapine alone or in combination for acute mana  [R] [S]
  7. Olanzapine in long-term treatment for bipolar disorder  [R]
  8. Haloperidol alone or in combination for acute mania  [R]
  9. Risperidone in long-term treatment for bipolar disorder  [R]  [S]
  10. Aripiprazole alone or in combination for acute mania  [P]
  11. Cognitive behavioural therapy for bipolar disorder  [P]
  12. Interventions for helping people recognise early signs of recurrence in bipolar disorder  [R]
  13. Oxcarbazepine in the treatment of acute affective episodes in bipolar disorder: efficacy and acceptability  [P]
  14. Family interventions for bipolar disorde[R]
  15. Omega-3 fatty acids for bipolar disorder  [R]
  16. Oxcarbazepine in the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder  [R]
  17. Tiagabine in the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder[R]  [S]
  18. Tiagabane in the treatment of acute affective episodes in bipolar disorder: efficacy and acceptability  [R]  [S]
  19. Topiramate for acute affective episodes in bipolar disorder  [R]  [S]
  20. Ziprasidone alone or in combination for acute mania  [P]
Cyclothymic disorder
  1. Gabapentin in the treatment of acute affective episodes in bipolar disorder:efficacy and acceptability  [P]
  2. Lamotrigine in the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder: efficacy and acceptability  [P]
  3. Lamotrigine in the treatment of acute affective episodes in bipolar disorder : efficacy and acceptability  [P]

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Anxiety disorders Panic disorder without agoraphobia
  1. Combined psychotherapy plus antidepressants for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia  [R]
  2. Combined psychotherapy plus benzodiazepines for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia  [P]

Panic disorder with agoraphobia

  1. Combined psychotherapy plus antidepressants for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia  [R]
  2. Combined psychotherapy plus benzodiazepines for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia  [P]

Agoraphobia without a history of panic disorder

  1. No reviews currently available for this topic

Specific phobia

  1. No reviews currently available for this topic

Social phobia

  1. Pharmacotherapy for social phobia  [R]

Obsessive compulsive disorder

  1. Transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder  [R]  [S]
  2. Behavioural and cognitive-behavioural therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adolescents  [R]
  3. Neurosurgery for obsessive-compulsive disorder, other anxiety disorders and depressive disorders  [P]
  4. Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) versus placebo for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) [R]

Traumatic stress disorder

  1. Pharmacotherapy for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)  [R]  [S]
  2. Psychological debriefing for preventing post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)  [R]
  3. Psychological treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)  [R]  [S]
  4. Pharmacotherapy for prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder  [P]
  5. Transcranial magnetic stimulation for post-traumatic stress disorder  [P]
  6. Multiple session early psychological intervention to prevent and treat post-traumatic stress disorder  [P]
  7. Sports, games and play-based interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)  [P]

Acute stress disorder

  1. No reviews currently available for this topic

Generalised anxiety

  1. Antidepressants for generalized anxiety disorde[R]  [S]
  2. Azapirones for generalized anxiety disorder  [R]
  3. Hydroxyzine for generalised anxiety disorder  [P]

Anxiety disorder due to general medical condition

  1. Drug therapy for anxiety in palliative care  [R]  [S] 

Substance induced anxiety disorder

  1. No reviews currently available for this topic

Anxiety disorder not otherwise specified

  1. Kava extract for treating anxiety  [R]  [S]
  2. Thioridazine for anxiety and depressive disorders  [P]
  3. Valerian for anxiety disorder  [R]  [S]
  4. Passiflora for anxiety disorder  [R]
  5. Meditation therapy for anxiety disorders  [R]
  6. Pharmacotherapy for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents  [P]
  7. Screening and case finding instruments for depression  [R]
  8. Neurosurgery for obsessive-compulsive disorder, other anxiety disorders and depressive disorders  [P]
  9. Psychosocial interventions for prevention of psychological disorders in law enforcement officers  [P]
  10. Paraprofessionals for depressive and anxiety disorders  [R]  [S]
  11. Memantine for dementia  [R]  [S]
  12. Cognitive-behavioural interventions for children who have been sexually abused  [R]  [S]
  13. Massage and touch for dementia  [R]  [S]
  14. Pharmacotherapy augmentation strategies in treatment-resistant anxiety disorders  [R]

  15. Newer anticonvulsants in the treatment of anxiety disorders  [P]

  16. Therapeutic touch for anxiety disorders  [R]

  17. Benzodiazepines for delirium  [P]

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Schizophrenia   Care package/Setting of Care
  1. Twenty-four hour care for schizophrenia  [R]
  2. Community mental health teams (CMHTs) for people with severe mental illnesses and disordered personality  [R]
  3. Compulsory community and involuntary outpatient treatment for people with severe mental disorders  [R]
  4. Day hospital versus out-patient care for psychiatric disorders  [R]
  5. Day hospital versus admission for acute psychiatric disorders  [R]
  6. Supported housing for people with severe mental disorders  [R]
  7. Length of hospitalisation for people with severe mental illness  [R]
  8. Open general medical wards versus specialist psychiatric units for acute psychoses   [R]
  9. Psychosocial treatment programmes for people with both severe mental illness and substance misuse  [R]
  10. Outcome measures and needs assessment tools for schizophrenia and related disorders  [R]  [S]
  11. Crisis intervention for people with severe mental illnesses  [R]

  12. Containment strategies for people with serious mental illness  [R]  [S]

  13. Treatment delivery using information and communication technology for people with schizophrenia  [P]

Drugs

Amino acids, enzymes, oils and nutritional agents

  1. Miscellaneous treatments for neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia  [R]
  2. Glutamatergic drugs for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  3. Polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  4. Vitamin E for neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia  [R]

Anaesthesia-related agents / muscle relaxants

  1. Miscellaneous treatments for neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia  [R]

Anti-convulsants / convulsants

  1. Lamotrigine for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  2. Carbamazepine for schizophrenia and schizoaffective psychoses  [R]
  3. Valproate for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]

Anti-depressants

  1. Antidepressants for people with both schizophrenia and depression  [R]
  2. Antidepressants for the negative symptoms of schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  3. Miscellaneous treatments for neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia  [R]
  4. Lithium for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]

Anti-glucocorticoids

  1. Antiglucocorticoid and related treatments for psychosis  [P]

Anti-movement disorders

  1. Anticholinergic medication for neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia  [R]
  2. Anticholinergics for neuroleptic-induced acute akathisia  [R]  [S]
  3. Anticholinergics for neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism  [R]
  4. Calcium channel blockers for neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia  [R]  [S]
  5. Cholinergic medication for neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia  [R]
  6. Gamma-aminobutyric acid agonists for neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia  [R]
  7. Miscellaneous treatments for neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia  [R]
  8. Benzodiazepines for neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia  [R]  [S]

Anti-psychotics

  1. Aripiprazole for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  2. Aripiprazole versus typicals for schizophrenia [R]
  3. Newer atypical antipsychotic medication versus clozapine for schizophrenia  [R]
  4. Pharmacological interventions for clozapine-induced hypersalivation  [R]
  5. Clozapine versus typical neuroleptic medication for schizophrenia  [R]
  6. Loxapine for schizophrenia  [R]
  7. Molindone for schizophrenia and severe mental illness  [R]
  8. Olanzapine for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  9. Olanzapine IM or velotab for acutely disturbed/agitated people with suspected serious mental illnesses  [R]
  10. Risperidone versus olanzapine for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  11. Quetiapine for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  12. Depot risperidone for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  13. Risperidone versus typical antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  14. Risperidone versus other atypical antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia  [R]
  15. Sertindole for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  16. Ziprasidone for schizophrenia and severe mental illness  [R]
  17. Zotepine for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  18. Atypical antipsychotics for people with both schizophrenia and depression  [R]
  19. Amisulpride for schizophrenia  [R]
  20. Sulpiride for schizophrenia  [R]
  21. Benperidol for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  22. Depot bromperidol decanoate for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  23. Droperidol for acute psychosis  [R]
  24. Haloperidol dose for the acute phase of schizophrenia  [R]
  25. Haloperidol versus placebo for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  26. Haloperidol versus chlorpromazine for schizophrenia  [R]
  27. Clotiapine for acute psychotic illnesses  [R]
  28. Depot fluspirilene for schizophrenia  [R]
  29. Penfluridol for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  30. Pimozide for schizophrenia or related psychoses  [R]
  31. Antipsychotic combinations for schizophrenia  [R]
  32. Antipsychotic medication for elderly people with schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  33. Antipsychotic medication for elderly people with late-onset schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  34. Antipsychotic medication versus placebo for people with both schizophrenia and learning disability  [R]  [S]
  35. 'As required' medication regimens for seriously mentally ill people in hospital  [R]
  36. Chlorpromazine versus placebo for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  37. Perazine for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  38. Depot perphenazine decanoate and enanthate for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  39. Perphenazine for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  40. Depot pipotiazine palmitate and undecylenate for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  41. Thioridazine for schizophrenia  [R]
  42. Trifluoperazine for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  43. Depot flupenthixol decanoate for schizophrenia or other similar psychotic disorders  [R]
  44. Zuclopenthixol acetate for acute schizophrenia and similar serious mental illnesses  [R]  [S]
  45. Zuclopenthixol decanoate for schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses  [R]
  46. Zuclopenthixol dihydrochloride for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  47. Amphetamines for schizophrenia  [R]  [S] 
  48. Depot fluphenazine decanoate and enanthate for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  49. New generation antipsychotics for first episode schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  50. Intermittent drug techniques for schizophrenia  [P]
  51. Pharmacological treatments for psychosis-related polydipsia  [R]  [S]
  52. Antipsychotic medication for early episode schizophrenia  [P]
  53. Clozapine combined with different antipsychotic drugs for treatment resistant schizophrenia  [P]
  54. Paliperidone for schizophrenia  [P]
  55. Sertindole versus other atypical antipsychotics for schizophrenia  [P]
  56. Risperidone versus placebo for schizophrenia  [P]
  57. Paliperidone for schizophrenia  [R]

Anxiolytics / hypnotics

  1. Benzodiazepines for neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia  [R]  [S]
  2. Benzodiazepines for neuroleptic-induced acute akathisia  [R]
  3. Benzodiazepines alone or in combination with antipsychotic drugs for acute psychosis  [R]

Central nervous system stimulants / depressants

  1. Nicotine for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  2. Cannabis for schizophrenia  [R]

Hormones

  1. Estrogen for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  2. Testosterone for schizophrenia  [R]

Parasympathomimetic / Sympathomimetic agents

  1. Non-neuroleptic catecholaminergic drugs for neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia  [R]

Physical treatments other than drugs

  1. Acupuncture for schizophrenia  [R]
  2. Miscellaneous treatments for neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia  [R]
  3. Electroconvulsive therapy for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  4. Chinese herbal medicine for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  5. Ayurvedic medicine for schizophrenia  [R]

Therapy

  1. Exercise therapy for schizophrenia  [R]
  2. Individual psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis for schizophrenia and severe mental illness  [R]
  3. Compliance therapy for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  4. Token economy for schizophrenia  [R]
  5. Cognitive behaviour therapy for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  6. Cognitive rehabilitation for people with schizophrenia and related conditions  [R]
  7. Psychoeducation for schizophrenia  [R]
  8. Educational games for mental health professionals  [R]
  9. Family intervention for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  10. Hypnosis for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  11. Life skills programmes for chronic mental illnesses  [R]
  12. Music therapy for schizophrenia or schizophrenia-like illnesses  [R]  [S]
  13. Vocational rehabilitation for people with severe mental illness  [R]
  14. Art therapy for schizophrenia or schizophrenia-like illnesses  [R]  [S]
  15. Drama therapy for schizophrenia or schizophrenia-like illnesses  [R]
  16. Supportive therapy for schizophrenia  [R]
  17. Distraction techniques for schizophrenia  [R]  [S]
  18. Early intervention for psychosis  [R]  [S]
  19. Problem solving skills for schizophrenia  [R]
  20. Dance therapy for schizophrenia  [P]

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Clinically significant problems associated with these disorders
  1. Effectiveness and cost effectiveness of counselling in primary care  [R]
  2. Psychosocial and pharmacological treatments for deliberate self harm  [R]
  3. Preventing occupational stress in healthcare workers  [R]
  4. The effectiveness of psychosocial interventions delivered by general practitioners  [R]  [S]
  5. Problem solving treatment (PST) for emotional problems in primary care  [P]
  6. Pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy for body dysmorphic disorder  [P]
  7. Psychosocial interventions for conversion disorder  [R]
  8. Acupuncture for insomnia  [R]
  9. Strategies for managing sexual dysfunction induced by antidepressant medication  [R]  [S]
  10. Supported housing for people with severe mental disorders  [R]  [S] 
  11. Alternatives to inpatient mental health care for children and young people  [P]
  12. Reiki treatment for psychological symptoms  [P]
  13. Cognitive-behavioral treatment for antisocial behavior in youth in residential treatment  [R] 
  14. Psychosocial interventions for people with both severe mental illness and substance misuse  [R]
  15. Life skills programmes for chronic mental illnesses  [R]

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Last updated 12 Jun 2008

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