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The following is a summary of “Effectiveness of digital intelligence interventions on depression and anxiety in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis,” published in the December 2024 issue of Psychiatry by Qiu et al. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to assess the effectiveness of digital intelligence interventions on depression and anxiety in older adults.  

They searched databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Embase for RCTs from inception to November 22, 2023. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata 18.0 and Review Manager 5.4. 

The results showed that digital intelligence interventions significantly reduced depression (SMD: -0.58; 95% CI: -0.80, -0.35) and anxiety (SMD: -0.39; 95% CI: -0.58, -0.19) symptoms compared to controls. Subgroup analysis indicated that internet-based CBT, interventions lasting 7 to 10 weeks, and using PHQ and GAD-7 scales had the most pronounced effects. The study also highlighted that older adult aged 50 and above benefitted most, particularly in regions outside the primary study areas, suggesting the broad applicability of digital interventions. 

They concluded that digital intelligence interventions effectively reduced depressive and anxious symptoms in older adults.  

Source: sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165178124004517