Life review therapy for older adults with depressive symptoms in general practice: results of a pilot evaluation.

Abstract

General practices play an important role in the detection and treatment of depressive symptoms in older adults. An adapted version of the indicated preventive life review therapy group intervention called Looking for Meaning (LFM) was developed for general practice and a pilot evaluation was conducted. A pretest-posttest design was used. One week before and one week after the intervention participants filled out questionnaires. In six general practices in the Netherlands the adapted intervention was given. Inclusion criteria were > 60 years and a score of 5 or higher on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). The length and number of LFM sessions were shortened and the intervention was given by one mental health care nurse practitioner (MHCNP). The impact on mental health was analyzed by depressive symptoms (CES-D) as the primary outcome and anxiety symptoms (HADS-A), psychological well-being (PGCMS) and mastery (PMS) as secondary outcomes. An evaluative questionnaire was included to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability. Most participants were satisfied with the adaptations of the number (72%) and length (72%) of sessions. The overall sample showed a significant decrease in depressive symptoms after the intervention. No impact was found on psychological well-being, anxiety symptoms and mastery. The intervention is feasible and acceptable for older adults with depressive symptoms and has an impact on their depressive symptoms.