ABSTRACT
Introduction
Existential distress, depression and loss of meaning are important concerns in psychiatric and mental health nursing. Logotherapy has been applied in nursing to address these issues, but its effectiveness when delivered specifically by nurses has not been systematically synthesised.
Aim/Question
This review evaluated the effectiveness of nurse-delivered logotherapy-based interventions through a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods
Ten databases were searched for studies published between 1950 and January 2025. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria: four randomised controlled trials and 15 nonrandomised controlled trials. A meta-analysis of 15 nonrandomised controlled trials examined meaning in life and depression. Methodological rigour was ensured by following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, registering the protocol with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews and applying Cochrane risk-of-bias tools.
Results
Interventions were typically delivered over one to eight sessions, primarily in group-based formats, and targeted adult populations across diverse clinical and community settings. The meta-analysis demonstrated significant improvements in meaning in life (Hedges’ g = 0.97) and significant reductions in depression (Hedges’ g = 0.79). Larger effect sizes were observed among older participants, while studies with smaller sample sizes tended to report greater effects.
Discussion
These findings suggest that nurse-delivered logotherapy-based interventions may represent a clinically applicable approach to addressing meaning-related outcomes alongside depressive symptoms in psychiatric and community nursing.
Limitations
Few randomised trials, methodological heterogeneity and the predominance of studies from Korea may limit generalisability.
Implications for Practice
Nurse-delivered logotherapy-based interventions provide a structured, evidence-based approach to existential and spiritual care in psychiatric and community nursing.
Recommendations
Future research should employ rigorous randomised designs and assess long-term outcomes.