Study on the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy and supportive psychotherapy for late life depression
This study is concerned with the medical problem of inadequate treatment of late life depression. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in older age. It is accompanied by a reduced quality of life and significant functional impairments. Compared to depression in early adulthood, the treatment options for late life depression are limited, in part due to the less effective antidepressant drug treatment and side effects of the drugs. Psychotherapy is therefore an effective alternative. However, evidence of the effectiveness of psychological interventions (psychotherapy) in age depression is still insufficient. Therefore, research in the field of psychotherapy of old-age depression is urgently needed.
The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of an 8-week cognitive behavioural therapy program designed specifically for late life depression (60 years and older) with supportive psychotherapy in outpatients with depression.
