Clinical Trial Details
— Status: Completed
Administrative data
| NCT number |
NCT05269524 |
| Other study ID # |
Alm study |
| Secondary ID |
|
| Status |
Completed |
| Phase |
N/A
|
| First received |
|
| Last updated |
|
| Start date |
February 1, 2016 |
| Est. completion date |
June 30, 2018 |
Study information
| Verified date |
February 2022 |
| Source |
Linkoeping University |
| Contact |
n/a |
| Is FDA regulated |
No |
| Health authority |
|
| Study type |
Interventional
|
Clinical Trial Summary
The study was a randomized controlled trial investigating treatment effects against an active
control condition. 101 self-recruited participants, aged 65 to 88 years, were included. The
intervention was a 10-week internet-based tailored CBT protocol consisting of 6-10
pre-defined modules tailored to patient profile and preferences. Participants in the
treatment group benefitted more than participants in the control condition on almost all
measures with moderate between-group effect-sizes.
Description:
Depression in older adults is associated with poorer functioning, worsened cognitive
impairment and disability, as well as medical illnesses. It can also increase the risk of
suicide and is associated with a high usage of medical services. It is common that depressive
symptoms co-occur with other psychiatric symptoms (i.e. anxiety). In the case of
co-morbidity, patients present with greater difficulties and the problems tend to be more
persistent. Together this stresses the importance of developing effective treatments.
Psychological treatments can be effective but are rarely offered and thus alternative modes
of treatment delivery should be considered such as internet interventions. Design: The study
was a randomized controlled trial investigating treatment effects against an active control
condition. Participants: 101 self-recruited participants, aged 65 to 88 years, were included.
Intervention: The intervention was a 10-week internet-based tailored CBT protocol consisting
of 6-10 pre-defined modules tailored to patient profile and preferences. Measurements:
Depression, anxiety, life quality and cognitive decline were assessed through self-reported
measures together with an online test of cognitive flexibility. Results: Participants in the
treatment group benefitted more than participants in the control condition on almost all
measures with moderate between-group effect-sizes. Cognitive decline improved during
treatment and neither cognitive decline, nor cognitive flexibility predicted treatment
outcome. Conclusion: The study adds to the evidence of internet-delivered psychological
treatment for depression, with or without psychiatric comorbidities, in older adults. It also
highlights the possibility of perceived cognitive decline as being part of the clinical
picture and reversible, rather than reason for exclusion from for psychological treatment.
