Adapted problem adaptation therapy for depression in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease dementia: A randomized controlled trial
Robert Howard, Elizabeth Cort, Charlotte Rawlinson, Martin Wiegand, Anne Downey, Vanessa Lawrence, Sube Banerjee, Peter Bentham, Chris Fox, Rowan Harwood, Rachel Hunter, Gill Livingston, Esme Moniz‐Cook, Monica Panca, Malgorzata Raczek, Chineze Ivenso, Gregor Russell, Alan Thomas, Philip Wilkinson, Nicholas Freemantle, Rebecca Gould- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Geriatrics and Gerontology
- Neurology (clinical)
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Health Policy
- Epidemiology
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Trials of effectiveness of treatment options for depression in dementia are an important priority.
METHODS
Randomized controlled trial to assess adapted Problem Adaptation Therapy (PATH) for depression in mild/moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease.
RESULTS
Three hundred thirty‐six participants with mild or moderate dementia, >7 on Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), randomized to adapted PATH or treatment as usual. Mean age 77.0 years, 39.0% males, mean Mini‐Mental State Examination 21.6, mean CSDD 12.9. For primary outcome (CSDD at 6 months), no statistically significant benefit with adapted PATH on the CSDD (6 months: −0.58; 95% CI −1.71 to 0.54). The CSDD at 3 months showed a small benefit with adapted PATH (−1.38; 95% CI −2.54 to −0.21) as did the EQ‐5D (−4.97; 95% CI −9.46 to −0.48).
DISCUSSION
An eight‐session course of adapted PATH plus two booster sessions administered within NHS dementia services was not effective treatment for depression in people with mild and moderate dementia. Future studies should examine the effect of more intensive and longer‐term therapy.