Table 1 Studies characteristics
From: Strain-specific effects of probiotics on depression and anxiety: a meta-analysis
First Author, Year | Study design/Duration | Sample size Probiotic/control | Type of patient, Mean age | Intervention | Control | Questionnaires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nikolova, 2023 [31] | RCT/8 weeks | 24/25 | Patients with depression, 32 | Probiotic capsule (2 × 109 CFU/g): Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactococcus lactis, and Streptococcus thermophilus | Placebo with no probiotic bacteria | HAMD |
Yamanbaeva, 2023 [32] | RCT/4 weeks | 14/18 | Patients with depression, 37 | Probiotic capsule (1.0 × 109 CFU/g): Streptococcus thermophilus NCIMB 30,438 Bifidobacterium breve NCIMB 30,441 Bifidobacterium longum NCIMB 30,435 Bifidobacterium infantis NCIMB 30,436 Lactobacillus acidophilus NCIMB 30,442 Lactobacillus plantarum NCIMB 30,437 Lactobacillus paracasei NCIMB 30,439 Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp Bulgaricus NCIMB 30,440 | Placebo with no probiotic bacteria | HAMD |
Mahboobi 2022 [33] | RCT/9 weeks | 39/35 | Patients with obesity and depressed mood, 36 | Magnesium + Probiotic capsule (1.8 × 109 CFU/g): Lactobacillus rhamnosus Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis | Placebo with no probiotic bacteria | BDI |
Kreuzer 2022 [34] | RCT/4 weeks | 28/29 | Patients with major depressive disorder, 43 | Probiotic capsule (7.5 × 109 CFU/g): Bifidobacteria bifidum W23 Bifidobacteria lactis W51 Bifidobacteria lactis W52 Lactobacilli acidophilus W22 Lactobacilli casei W56 Lactobacilli paracasei W20 Lactobacilli plantarum W62 Lactobacilli salivarius W24 Lactobacilli lactis W19 | Placebo with no probiotic bacteria | HAMD BDI |
Ullah 2022 [35] | RCT/6 weeks | 33/32 | Patients with depression, 41 | Methionine + Probiotic capsule (3.0 × 109 CFU/g): Lactobacillus helveticus Bifidobacterium longum | Placebo with no probiotic bacteria | HAMD |
Zhang 2021 [36] | RCT/9 weeks | 38/31 | Patients with depression, 47 | Probiotic capsule (1.0 × 109 CFU/g): Lacticaseibacillus paracasei | Placebo with no probiotic bacteria | HAMD BDI |
Reininghaus 2020 [37] | RCT/4 weeks | 28/30 | Patients with depression, 42 | Vitamin B7 + Probiotic capsule (2 × 109 CFU/g): Bifidobacterium bifidum W23 Bifidobacterium lactis W51 Bifidobacterium lactis W52 Lactobacillus acidophilus W22 Lactobacillus casei W56 Lactobacillus paracasei W20 Lactobacillus plantarum W62 Lactobacillus salivarius W24 Lactobacillus lactis W19 | Placebo with no probiotic bacteria | HAMD BDI |
Chahwan 2019 [38] | RCT/8 weeks | 34/36 | Patients with depression, 36 | Probiotic capsule (2.5 × 109 CFU/g): Bifidobacterium bifidum W23 Bifidobacterium lactis W51 Bifidobacterium lactis W52 Lactobacillus acidophilus W37 Lactobacillus brevis W63 Lactobacillus casei W56 Lactobacillus salivarius W24 Lactococcus lactis W19 Lactococcus lactis W58 | Placebo group received maltodextrin capsules | BDI DASS |
Kazemi 2019 [39] | RCT/8 weeks | 38/36 | Patients with major depressive disorder, 34 | Probiotic capsule (10 × 109 CFU/g): Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 Bifidobacterium longum R0175 | Placebo group received maltodextrin capsules | BDI |
Majeed 2018 [40] | RCT/ 12 weeks | 20/20 | Patients with major depressive disorder, 42 | Probiotic capsule (2.0 × 109 CFU/g): Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 | Placebo with no probiotic bacteria | MADRS HAMD |
Romjin 2017 [41] | RCT/8 weeks | 39/40 | Patients with depression, 35 | Probiotic capsule (3.0 × 109 CFU/g): Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 Bifidobacterium longum R0175 | Placebo with no probiotic bacteria | MADRS DASS |
Akkasheh, 2016 [42] | RCT/8 weeks | 20/20 | Patients with major depressive disorder, 37 | Probiotic capsule (3.0 × 109 CFU/g): Lactobacillus acidophilus Lactobacillus casei Bifidobacterium bifidum | Placebo with no probiotic bacteria | BDI |