A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of peer support for people with severe mental illness.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Little is known about whether peer support improves outcomes for people with severe mental illness.

Method

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. Cochrane CENTRAL Register, Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were searched to July 2013 without restriction by publication status. Randomised trials of non-residential peer support interventions were included. Trial interventions were categorised and analysed separately as: mutual peer support, peer support services, or peer delivered mental health services. Meta-analyses were performed where possible, and studies were assessed for bias and the quality of evidence described.

Results

Eighteen trials including 5597 participants were included. These comprised four trials of mutual support programmes

SUBMITTER: Lloyd-Evans B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3933205 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature