Effects of psychotherapy and other behavioral interventions on clinically depressed older adults: A meta-analysis

Abstract

We conclude that cognitive-behavioral therapy and reminiscence are particularly well-established and acceptable forms of depression treatment. Interventions with 7-12 sessions may optimize effectiveness while minimizing dropout rates. For physically and cognitively impaired patients, modifications in treatment format and/or content might be useful, such as combining psychotherapy with social work interventions and pharmacotherapy.

Subjective Well-being in Older Adults: Current State and Gaps of Research

“…On the micro level, certain psycho-educational and psychotherapeutic approaches focus directly on the individual. Pinquart and Sörensen (2001) analysed 122 studies, and their findings in general support the assertion that psychosocial and psychotherapeutic interventions significantly reduce depression and improve psychosocial well being in older adults. The following factors were associated with improvement of life satisfaction and reduction of depression in older adults through specific interventions: (1) psychotherapeutic interventions (cognitive-behavioural therapy, relaxation, reminiscence)…”

Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Older Adults.

“…However, prevalence estimates suggest that approximately 20%-22% of older adults may meet criteria for some form of mental disorder, including dementia (Jeste et al, 1999;Karel, Gatz, & Smyer, 2012). Older women have higher rates of certain mental disorders (e.g., depression) than do men (Norton et al, 2006), with research continuing to support a slightly lower subjective well-being for older women when compared to their male counterparts, most likely due to disadvantages older women experience in regard to health, socioeconomic status, and widowhood (Pinquart & Sörensen, 2001). For those living in a longterm care setting during their later years, estimates are much higher, with almost 80% suffering from some form of mental disorder (Conn, Herrmann, Kaye, Rewilak, & Schogt, 2007).…”

“…The problems for which efficacious psychological interventions have been demonstrated in older adults include depression (Pinquart, Duberstein, & Lyness, 2007;Scogin, Welsh, Hanson, Stump, & Coates, 2005), anxiety (Ayers, Sorrell, Thorp, & Wetherell, 2007), sleep disturbance , and alcohol abuse (Blow & Barry, 2012). Behavior therapy and modification strategies, problem-solving therapy, socio-environmental modifications, and related interventions have been found useful in treating depression, reducing behavioral disturbance, and improving functional abilities in cognitively impaired older adults (Areán, Hegel, Vannoy, Fan, & Unutzer, 2008;Curyto et al, 2012;.…”

“…Evidence documents that older adults respond well to a variety of forms of psychotherapy and can benefit from psychological interventions to a degree comparable with younger adults (APA, 2012d;Pinquart & Sörensen, 2001;Scogin, 2007;Zarit & Knight, 1996). Both individual and group psychotherapies have demonstrated efficacy in older adults (Burlingame, Fuhriman, & Mosier, 2003;Payne & Marcus, 2008).…”

The effects of reminiscence therapy on psychological well‐being, depression, and loneliness among the institutionalized aged

“…Furthermore, reminiscence therapy is successful in improving one's comprehension skills and in boosting self-esteem, to ease the feeling of depression and hopelessness, and to enhance self-integration. Many studies point out the positive effects of reminiscence therapy and highlight its effectiveness in the easing of depressed feelings (Bohlmeijer et al, 2003;Hsieh and Wang, 2003;Husaini et al, 2004;Wang, 2005;Pinquart et al, 2007), it is also known to be beneficial to an aged persons psychological well-being (Tatchell and Jordan, 2004;McKee et al, 2005;Zauszniewski et al, 2006), it assists to ease feelings of loneliness , and can ameliorate negative emotions and anxiety (Chou et al, 2008). Reminiscence therapy does have a role in the maintenance of self-esteem (Lin et al, 2003;Chao et al, 2006;Nomura and Hashimoto, 2006), self-value (Baker, 1985), better coping skills (Nugent, 1995), increased satisfaction with life (Cook, 1998;Lin et al, 2003), enhanced self-integration (Stinson and Kirk, 2006;Zauszniewski et al, 2006), enhancement of functional activities (Kovach and Henschel, 1996;Woods et al, 2005;Zauszniewski et al, 2006), improved social functions and activities (King, 1982;Cook, 1991), prevention of behavioral problems (Kovach and Henschel, 1996), and in the effective care of the aged person (Shellman, 2007).…”