Psychotherapy for Late Life Depression
Status: | Completed |
---|---|
Conditions: | Depression |
Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology |
Healthy: | No |
Age Range: | 60 - Any |
Updated: | 4/2/2016 |
Start Date: | March 2012 |
End Date: | April 2015 |
Contact: | Patrick J Raue, Ph.D. |
Email: | praue@med.cornell.edu |
Phone: | 914-997-8384 |
This randomized pilot study will test the feasibility of a behavioral intervention for late
life depression. Enrolled participants will receive 9 weeks of a specialized form of
psychotherapy we call "ENGAGE" or standard of care psychotherapy. ENGAGE is a stepped care
psychotherapy based on what is currently known about older adults' response to depression
interventions. Stepped care is a model of treatment that starts with the minimum effective
therapeutic techniques first, and then based on how well people respond to treatment,
additional therapeutic techniques are added until individuals recover from their depression.
The treatment components of ENGAGE were selected to match the most common problems seen in
older adults with depression. They include instructing the participant in basic problem
solving techniques and encouraging re-engagement in rewarding activities.
Participants will be depressed, older adult clients of Westchester Jewish Community Services
or outpatient research subjects recruited by the Cornell Institute of Geriatric Psychiatry.
In addition to receiving therapy, study participants will also undergo research assessments
at the beginning of the study and then at weeks 6 and 9.
life depression. Enrolled participants will receive 9 weeks of a specialized form of
psychotherapy we call "ENGAGE" or standard of care psychotherapy. ENGAGE is a stepped care
psychotherapy based on what is currently known about older adults' response to depression
interventions. Stepped care is a model of treatment that starts with the minimum effective
therapeutic techniques first, and then based on how well people respond to treatment,
additional therapeutic techniques are added until individuals recover from their depression.
The treatment components of ENGAGE were selected to match the most common problems seen in
older adults with depression. They include instructing the participant in basic problem
solving techniques and encouraging re-engagement in rewarding activities.
Participants will be depressed, older adult clients of Westchester Jewish Community Services
or outpatient research subjects recruited by the Cornell Institute of Geriatric Psychiatry.
In addition to receiving therapy, study participants will also undergo research assessments
at the beginning of the study and then at weeks 6 and 9.
Inclusion Criteria (WJCS Participants):
- Current client of Westchester Jewish Community Services;
- Age 60 years or older;
- Diagnosis of depression as determined by WJCS therapists;
- Command of English sufficient to participate in talking therapy;
Inclusion Criteria (Cornell Participants):
- Age 60 years or older;
- Depression as determined by a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score of 6 or higher
(with at least one item being "depressed mood" or "loss of interest/pleasure");
- Command of English sufficient to participate in talking therapy;
Exclusion Criteria:
- Dementia: Mini Mental State Exam score below 24 or clinical diagnosis of dementia by
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV;
- High suicide risk, i.e. intent or plan to attempt suicide in near future;
- History of psychiatric diagnoses other than major depressive disorder or generalized
anxiety disorder (including bi-polar depression, psychotic depression,
schizoaffective disorders).
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