Managing depressive symptoms in people with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia with a multicomponent psychotherapy intervention: a randomized controlled trial. (5th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tonga, Johanne B.; Šaltytė Benth, Jūratė; Arnevik, Espen A.; Werheid, Katja; Korsnes, Maria S.; Ulstein, Ingun D.
• Is Part Of: International psychogeriatrics. Volume 33:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 217
• Page End: 231
• Publication Date: 2021-03-05
• Subjects: dementia, -- mild cognitive impairment, -- cognitive rehabilitation, -- cognitive behavioral therapy, -- reminiscence therapy, -- psychosocial intervention, -- depressive symptoms, -- MADRS; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; 618.9768905
• DOI: 10.1017/S1041610220000216
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1041-6102

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the CORDIAL program, a psychosocial intervention consisting of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive rehabilitation, and reminiscence to manage depressive symptoms for people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. Design: We conducted a randomized controlled trial, based on a two-group (intervention and control), pre-/post-intervention design. Setting: Participants were recruited from five different old age psychiatry and memory clinics at outpatients' hospitals. Participants: Hundred and ninety-eight people with MCI or early-stage dementia were included. Intervention: The intervention group ( n = 100) received 11 individual weekly sessions of the CORDIAL program. This intervention includes elements from CBT, cognitive rehabilitation, and reminiscence therapy. The control group ( n = 98) received treatment-as-usual. Measurements: We assessed Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) (main outcome), Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire, and Quality of Life in Alzheimer's disease (secondary outcomes) over the course of 4 months and at a 10-month follow-up visit. Results: A linear mixed model demonstrated that the depressive symptoms assessed by MADRS were significantly more reduced in the intervention groups as compared to the control group ( p < 0.001). The effect persisted for 6 months after the intervention. No significant differences between groups were found in neuropsychiatric symptoms or quality of life. Conclusion: Our multicomponent intervention, which comprised 11 individual sessions of CBT, cognitive rehabilitation, and reminiscence therapy, reduced depressive symptoms in people with MCI and dementia.