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A network meta-analysis of interventions for anxiety and depression in PCOS

Tan Z, Li Y, Liu J, Hu X, Su X, Huang Y

PeerJ, 2026

1,453 participants

Abstract

Background: The study aimed to provide evidence to support optimal interventions for alleviating anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) through a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from their inceptions to January 2, 2025 was performed. The criteria for inclusion defined were as follows: (1) The study population consisted of female PCOS patients; (2) interventions included psychological therapy, exercise, drug treatment, or digital intervention; (3) studies that reported changes in anxiety and depression scores; and (4) randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Two reviewers independently screened the literature and extracted the data. Disagreements were resolved by consulting a third party. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was used for data recording in this study. The analysis of data was carried out based on a random-effects model, while network meta-analysis was implemented through R 4.4.0 and Just Another Gibbs Sampler (JAGS) 4.3.1. We conducted a Bayesian random-effects network meta-analysis (NMA) and ranked interventions using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA).

Results: This study included a total of 25 RCTs, involving 1,453 female PCOS patients, to evaluate the effects of various interventions in alleviating anxiety and depression symptoms. Effective interventions included emotion-focused therapy…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 1,453 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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