Can pharmacological, psychological and non-invasive brain stimulation interventions prevent depression after stroke? A cochrane review summary with commentary

BACKGROUND: Depression is very common in patients after a stroke and it can impact recovery.OBJECTIVE: The Cochrane Review aimed to determine whether psychological therapy, pharmacological interventions, non-invasive brain stimulation, or their combination can prevent depression after stroke.METHODS: The population addressed were patients who suffered from a stroke and had no previous diagnosis of depressive disorders. Studies comparing pharmacological intervention to placebo, psychological therapy to usual care, and non-invasive brain stimulation to sham stimulation or usual care were included.RESULTS: Outcome information was available for nine pharmacological and two psychological trials, showing favorable treatment effects.CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence suggests that pharmacological interventions and psychological therapy may prevent depression and improve mood after stroke. Although, the current evidence is of very low quality resulting in serious uncertainties about the estimates of effect observed.