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

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #female #polycystic-ovary-syndrome #depression #anxiety

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

Tan et al., 2026 | PeerJ | Meta Analysis

Citation

Tan Zuolin, Li Yunqing, ... Huang Yuhua. A network meta-analysis of interventions for anxiety and depression in PCOS. PeerJ. 2026;14:e20744. doi:10.7717/peerj.20744

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 (EFT), peer support (PS), omega-3 plus vitamin E (O3+VE), and mindfulness stress management (MSM). Other interventions, such as metformin and vitamin D plus probiotics (VD+Pro), showed no significant benefit compared with control. Data on PS for anxiety were not analyzed in the present network meta-analysis because relevant trials could not be connected within the network structure. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that EFT and PS emerge as promising interventions in alleviating anxiety and depression symptoms in PCOS patients. Interventions such as O3+VE and MSM also showed potential in improving emotional states.Review registration: PROSPERO CRD420250655513.

Key Findings

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 (EFT), peer support (PS), omega-3 plus vitamin E (O3+VE), and mindfulness stress management (MSM). Other interventions, such as metformin and vitamin D plus probiotics (VD+Pro), showed no significant benefit compared with control. Data on PS for anxiety were not analy

Outcomes Measured

  • anxiety
  • depression

Population

Field Value
Population polycystic ovarian syndrome
Sample Size 25
Age Range See abstract
Condition anxiety

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Female
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Network Meta-Analysis as Topic
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Adult

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-e

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09