Diabetes is a chronic condition that significantly increases the risk of developing comorbid depression, which can negatively impact adherence to treatment regimens. Psychological and educational interventions are effective in addressing depression in individuals with comorbid conditions, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Since depression is often linked to poor adherence to treatment plans, improving depression outcomes may lead to better adherence and, consequently, improved glycemic control. This review focuses on RCTs (randomized controlled trials) that examine psychological and educational interventions, exploring their effects on depression and diabetes management, and assesses the practical feasibility of this approach. A comprehensive search was conducted across Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and PubMed for relevant clinical trials. Ten RCTs involving a total of 5759 participants were selected, focusing on the impact of interventions on Type 2 diabetic patients with comorbid depression. The results showed that while depression outcomes improved significantly (SMD = -0.39, 95% CI -0.62, -0.15; I2 = 81%; P < 0.001), diabetes-related outcomes did not exhibit significant changes (SMD = -0.14, 95% CI -0.32, 0.03; I2 = 44%; P = 0.12). These findings suggest interventions are beneficial in alleviating depression symptoms and may contribute to better glycaemic control. However, further research with larger sample sizes is needed to improve the generalizability and representativeness of the findings.
