Behavioral Activation for the Prevention and Treatment of Depression in Older Adults in a Municipal Context

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Brief Behavioral Activation: A five-session brief behavioral activation treatment delivered face-to-face in the participants' home. Session outline: Session 1: Psychoeducation about depression; treatment rationale for Behavioral Activation (BA); rationale and instructions for activity log Session 2: Discussion of life goals and values; planning of activities aligned with life goals and values for coming week Session 3: Troubleshooting any problems carrying out activities; planning activities aligned with life goals and values for coming week. Session 4: Troubleshooting any problems carrying out activities; planning activities aligned with life goals and values for the coming week; instructing the participant to independently continue to plan activities for the coming month. Session 5: Troubleshooting any problems carrying out activities; reviewing treatment; stressing the importance of continuing to engage in activities aligned with life goals and values; creating a maintenance plan.

Care as Usual: Care as Usual provided by primary care and/or municipal care.

Study summary

The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to investigate if a brief psychological treatment called Behavioral Activation (BA) works to prevent and treat depression in older adults in a municipal context in Sweden. It will also learn about the patients' and therapists' experiences of the BA-treatment.

The main questions it aims to answer are if the BA-treatment has an effect on the short and long term on:

* Depressive symptoms
* Anxiety symptoms
* Self-rated activation
* Functional ability
* Loneliness
* Self efficacy
* Mental wellbeing
* Quality of life
* Need for community care services

All participants will continue their care as usual (CAU), and half of the participants will be randomized to receive a five-session BA-treatment spread over two months as an add-on to CAU. All participants will answer a questionnaire in the beginning of the study, after two months, and after 3-, 6- and 12 months.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, MADRS-S — Baseline; post-intervention or equivalent for control group 9 weeks after baseline; 3-, 6- and 12 months post-intervention or equivalent for control group
  Depressive symptoms will be measured with the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Self-rating Scale (MADRS-S). The MADRS-S is a nine-item questionnaire designed to measure depression severity during the past two weeks. The total score ranges from 0-54, with higher scores indicating higher depression severity.

Trial sites (1)

More Sormland County Council, Sweden trials in Sweden

Other trials for the same condition