Abstract

This study is designed to evaluate the efficacy of three different therapies in the treatment of depression in the elderly. The study is an extension of a two year pilot study designed to demonstrate the feasibility of psychotherapy in treating severe depression in older persons. The therapies to be evaluated include: Cognitive Therapy developed by Dr. Aaron Beck; Behavioral Therapy developed by Dr. Peter Lewinsohn; and Brief Psychodynamic Therapy developed by Dr. Mardi Horowitz. Patients in this Study will be diagnosed as having major depressive disorder, and will be over the age of 65. One hundred and eighty patients will be treated in one of the three conditions mentioned above. An additional 40 patients will be included in a wait list control condition for a six week period. The course of therapy is four months. Following therapy, half of the patients in each condition will receive maintenance sessions during a three month period, and the remainder will be followed. All patients will be followed for a one year period, with evaluations occurring at six weeks, three months, six months and one year post treatment.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH037196-04
Application #
3376087
Study Section
(TDAA)
Project Start
1982-02-01
Project End
1986-08-31
Budget Start
1985-02-01
Budget End
1986-08-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1985
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Palo Alto
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94304

  Publications

Holland, Jason M; Futterman, Andrew; Thompson, Larry W et al. (2013) Difficulties accepting the loss of a spouse: a precursor for intensified grieving among widowed older adults. Death Stud 37:126-44
Futterman, Andrew; Holland, Jason M; Brown, Patrick J et al. (2010) Factorial validity of the Texas Revised Inventory of Grief-Present scale among bereaved older adults. Psychol Assess 22:675-87
Coon, David W; Thompson, Larry W (2003) The relationship between homework compliance and treatment outcomes among older adult outpatients with mild-to-moderate depression. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 11:53-61
Thompson, L W; Coon, D W; Gallagher-Thompson, D et al. (2001) Comparison of desipramine and cognitive/behavioral therapy in the treatment of elderly outpatients with mild-to-moderate depression. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 9:225-40
Thompson, L W (1996) Cognitive-behavioral therapy and treatment for late-life depression. J Clin Psychiatry 57 Suppl 5:29-37
Gallagher-Thompson, D; DeVries, H M (1994) ""Coping with frustration"" classes: development and preliminary outcomes with women who care for relatives with dementia. Gerontologist 34:548-52
Gallagher-Thompson, D; Steffen, A M (1994) Comparative effects of cognitive-behavioral and brief psychodynamic psychotherapies for depressed family caregivers. J Consult Clin Psychol 62:543-9
Rybarczyk, B; Gallagher-Thompson, D; Rodman, J et al. (1992) Applying cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy to the chronically ill elderly: treatment issues and case illustration. Int Psychogeriatr 4:127-40
Teri, L; Gallagher-Thompson, D (1991) Cognitive-behavioral interventions for treatment of depression in Alzheimer's patients. Gerontologist 31:413-6
Rivera, P A; Rose, J M; Futterman, A et al. (1991) Dimensions of perceived social support in clinically depressed and nondepressed female caregivers. Psychol Aging 6:232-7

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