Viviana M Wuthrich1, Ronald M Rapee1, Brian Draper2, Henry Brodaty3, Lee-Fay Low4, Sharon L Naismith5. 1. Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology,Macquarie University,Sydney,Australia. 2. School of Psychiatry,University of New South Wales,Sydney,Australia. 3. Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing,University of New South Wales,Sydney,Australia. 4. Faculty of Health Sciences,University of Sydney,Sydney,Australia. 5. Healthy Brain Ageing Program,The University of Sydney,Sydney,Australia.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Objectives: Modifiable factors associated with increased risk of cognitive decline include emotional (anxiety, depression), cognitive (low social and mental stimulation), and health factors (smoking, alcohol use, sedentary lifestyle, obesity). Older adults with anxiety and depression may be at heightened risk due to direct and indirect impacts of emotional distress on cognitive decline. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trialSetting:Community sample attending a university clinic. PARTICIPANTS: 27 participants (female = 20) aged over 65 years (M = 72.56, SD = 6.74) with an anxiety and/or mood disorder. INTERVENTIONS: two cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions (face-to-face or low intensity) that targeted emotional, health, and cognitive risks for cognitive decline. MEASUREMENTS: Participants completed diagnostic interviews; self-report measures of anxiety, depression, quality of life, and lifestyle factors at baseline; post-treatment; and 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Both interventions resulted in significant and sustained improvements in depression, anxiety, quality of life, and physical and social activity. At post-treatment, face-to-face CBT demonstrated significantly greater improvements in emotional symptoms, alcohol use, and memory (exercise approached significance). At 3-month follow-up, gains were maintained and there were significantly greater increases in mental activity for face-to-face CBT, with social activity approaching significance. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the feasibility of CBT interventions to reduce emotional as well as lifestyle risk factors associated with cognitive decline in at-risk older participants. Large studies are needed to evaluate the long-term impact on cognitive decline. The trial was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (Trial Registration No. ACTRN12618000939291).
RCT Entities:
ABSTRACT Objectives: Modifiable factors associated with increased risk of cognitive decline include emotional (anxiety, depression), cognitive (low social and mental stimulation), and health factors (smoking, alcohol use, sedentary lifestyle, obesity). Older adults with anxiety and depression may be at heightened risk due to direct and indirect impacts of emotional distress on cognitive decline. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trialSetting:Community sample attending a university clinic. PARTICIPANTS: 27 participants (female = 20) aged over 65 years (M = 72.56, SD = 6.74) with an anxiety and/or mood disorder. INTERVENTIONS: two cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions (face-to-face or low intensity) that targeted emotional, health, and cognitive risks for cognitive decline. MEASUREMENTS: Participants completed diagnostic interviews; self-report measures of anxiety, depression, quality of life, and lifestyle factors at baseline; post-treatment; and 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Both interventions resulted in significant and sustained improvements in depression, anxiety, quality of life, and physical and social activity. At post-treatment, face-to-face CBT demonstrated significantly greater improvements in emotional symptoms, alcohol use, and memory (exercise approached significance). At 3-month follow-up, gains were maintained and there were significantly greater increases in mental activity for face-to-face CBT, with social activity approaching significance. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the feasibility of CBT interventions to reduce emotional as well as lifestyle risk factors associated with cognitive decline in at-risk older participants. Large studies are needed to evaluate the long-term impact on cognitive decline. The trial was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (Trial Registration No. ACTRN12618000939291).
Authors: Dora Kanellopoulos; Paul Rosenberg; Lisa D Ravdin; Dalynah Maldonado; Nimra Jamil; Crystal Quinn; Dimitris N Kiosses Journal: Int Psychogeriatr Date: 2020-01-08 Impact factor: 3.878
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