Effectiveness of enhanced group cognitive behaviour therapy for older adults (CBT-OA) with depression and anxiety: A replication study.

Abstract

Objectives: Enhanced cognitive behavioural therapy for older adults (CBT-OA) modifies standard CBT to better address the needs of older adults, considering age-related impacts on learning. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Cassidy's manualized CBT-OA protocol (Cassidy, 2016a, 2016b) for late-life depression or anxiety in a larger sample at a different center.

Design: This retrospective observational study used a within-subject pre-/post-data design to evaluate the CBT-OA group for seniors with depression or anxiety. Outcome measure were compared before and after the CBT-OA intervention. A post-hoc analysis examined differential effects of age ('young-old' versus 'old-old').

Setting: CBT-OA groups were held in an urban, community-based geriatric psychiatry outpatient setting from 2015-2019.

Participants: The analysis included forty community-dwelling outpatients over 65 years old with symptoms of late-life depression and/or anxiety.

Intervention: Cassidy's manualized CBT-OA protocol for late-life depression or anxiety was used. Five CBT-OA series were held, each lasting 7-9 weeks (average of 8 weeks) with 2-h weekly sessions, involving 6-9 participants per series.

Measurements: Outcome measures included the self-reported Beck Depression Inventory-II, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Perceived Quality of Life Questionnaire.

Results: CBT-OA significantly improved mood, anxiety, and perceived quality of life, with the greatest gains in 'young-old' participants.

Conclusion: This first replication study of Cassidy's CBT-OA protocol for late-life depression or anxiety showed similar positive findings. Future research should use a randomized-controlled design to examine CBT-OA's efficacy, considering different age groups, longer-term follow-up, and well-being measures aligned with positive psychiatry.