Comparative efficacy of non-pharmacological therapies in adolescents with subthreshold depression: a systematic review and network meta-analysis - Takeaways - MDSpire

Comparative efficacy of non-pharmacological therapies in adolescents with subthreshold depression: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

  • By

  • Qipei Ji

  • Zhenbo Wang

  • Xiaobo Wang

  • Ling Zhou

  • Zhenkui Lou

  • Meiling Su

  • Xin Gao

  • Shufang Jiang

  • Hongfei Qiu

  • Zhongchun Luo

  • May 12, 2026

  • 0 min

Share

  • 1

    Subthreshold depression (SD) affects 29.2% of adolescents, leading to impaired functioning and a high risk of progression to major depressive disorder (MDD).

  • 2

    This systematic review included 30 RCTs with 3,471 participants, demonstrating that non-pharmacological interventions significantly improve depressive symptoms in adolescents with SD.

  • 3

    Behavioral activation (BA) was identified as the most effective intervention for adolescent SD, followed by physical exercise intervention (PEI) and light therapy (LT).

  • 4

    High heterogeneity was observed across studies, influenced by intervention type, delivery mode, duration, and participant age, highlighting the complexity of treatment effects.

  • 5

    The study recommends BA as the first-line option for treating adolescent SD, emphasizing the need for personalized intervention selection and further large-scale RCTs.

Original Source(s)

Comparative efficacy of non-pharmacological therapies in adolescents with subthreshold depression: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

  • by Qipei Ji, Zhenbo Wang, Xiaobo Wang, Ling Zhou, Zhenkui Lou, Meiling Su, Xin Gao, Shufang Jiang, Hongfei Qiu, Zhongchun Luo

  • May 12, 2026

Related Content

Secretary Kennedy Celebrates Landmark Iowa MAHA Legislation, Announces First-Ever Surgeon General Warning on Excessive Screen Time

Institutional trauma, absence of accountability, and psychopathology in a juvenile serial homicide case

Factors associated with psychological distress among family caregivers of preschool children with autism: an analysis