Table 4 Comparison of interventions from surveys with relevant Cochrane reviews
Self-Care interventions mentioned in multiple patient/public or expert surveys | Focus of relevant Cochrane review(s) | Assessment of effectiveness based on Plain Language Summary (PLS) †| Safety information in the PLS |
|---|---|---|---|
Aromatherapy | – |  |  |
Bibliotherapy | media-delivered cognitive or behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders | + | – |
psychotherapeutic treatments for older depressed people | No PLS | – | |
Dietary change | – |  |  |
Dietary supplements (other than vitamins/minerals or herbs) | tryptophan and 5-Hydroxytryptophan for depression | ++ | Mentions side effects that have occurred; also that tryptophan associated with development of a fatal condition |
S-adenosyl methionine for depression | + | Mention of fewer side effects than with an antidepressant | |
omega-3 fatty acids for depression | + | Mentions that insufficient high quality evidence to determine … negative side effects | |
dietary supplements (EPA or DHA) for preventing postpartum depression | ? | – | |
melatonin for preventing seasonal affective disorder | No evidence | – | |
Exercise | exercise for depression | ++ | – |
psychosocial interventions to prevent psychological disorders in law enforcement personnel | No mention of exercise in PLS | – | |
psychosocial interventions to prevent and treat depression in dialysis patients | ++ | Mentions adverse events very uncertain. | |
Herbal medicine | kava extract for treating anxiety | ++ | Mentions that few adverse events were reported in the reviewed trials * |
passiflora for anxiety disorders | + | Mentions that not possible to draw any conclusions on the safety | |
St John’s wort for major depression | ++ | Mention of fewer side effects than antidepressants; that side effects are usually minor and uncommon but effects of other drugs might be significantly compromised. | |
valerian for anxiety disorders | ? | Mentions that tolerated as well as an anxiolytic but that further studies are needed for conclusions on safety. | |
continuation and maintenance treatments for persistent depressive disorder in adults | No mention of St. John’s wort in PLS | – | |
Homeopathy | – |  |  |
Internet-based self-help | media-delivered cognitive or behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders | + | – |
Massage | – |  |  |
Meditation/mindfulness | meditation therapy for anxiety disorders | + | Mentions that adverse effects have not been reported |
psychosocial interventions to prevent and treat depression in dialysis patients | ? | Mentions adverse events very uncertain. | |
Music | – |  |  |
Natural environments | – |  |  |
Pets/animals | – |  |  |
Prayer/spirituality | psychosocial interventions to prevent and treat depression in dialysis patients | ? | Mentions adverse events very uncertain. |
Relaxation | relaxation for depression | ++ | – |
interventions for treating anxiety after stroke | ? | – | |
psychosocial interventions to prevent psychological disorders in law enforcement personnel | No mention of relaxation in PLS | – | |
psychosocial interventions to prevent and treat depression in dialysis patients | ++ | Mentions adverse events very uncertain. | |
Self-help groups (not internet) | – |  |  |
Sunlight exposure | light therapy** for preventing seasonal affective disorder | ? | Mentions that the included study provided no information on side effects. |
light therapy** for non-seasonal depression | ? | Mentions a potential adverse effect that needs to be considered. | |
Vitamins/minerals | folate for depressive disorders | + | Mentions that it was well-tolerated in the included trials. |
inositol for depressive disorders | ? | – | |
dietary supplements (selenium) for preventing postpartum depression | ? | – | |
Yoga | – |  |  |