Clinical trial NCT02785211: A Modified Behavioral Activation Treatment for Geriatric Depressive Symptoms in Left-behind Elderly in Rural China
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Health Behavior
Depression
Lead sponsor: The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2016-05-27
Enrollment: 80
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 65
Standard ages: OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: Background: It is essential to understand how to prevent and treat the epidemic of depression. Several studies have reported the prevalence of depressive symptoms in the urban population in China, but there is a lack of information regarding intervention for depression in rural left behind old elderly people.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a Modified Behavioral Activation Treatment (MBAT) Intervention on reducing depressive symptoms in rural left behind elderly people.

Methods: 80 rural left behind elderly people who had a Geriatric Depression Scale(GDS) score between 11 and 25 will be recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention (n=40) and control group(n=40). The intervention group will be received both MBAT and treatment-as-usual for 8 weeks while the control group received treatment-as-usual. Both groups will be assessed with the GDS, Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ) at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 3 months post-intervention.

Significance: This is the first time BA psychotherapy will be used in China.The current study will develop an intention model based on the traditional BA and CBT. The recurrence and seriousness of depression symptoms may be reduced by the intervention program. We hope that MBAT in clients will provide a direction for the management of mental health in rural left-behind elders..


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Over 65 years of age;
* Only one participant from each family;
* Left-behind for longer than 6 months;
* GDS score between 11 and 25.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Psychiatric and medical comorbidities that are potentially life threatening or expected to severely limit client participation or adherence;
* Those who are currently seeing a cognitive behavioral therapist, psychotherapist or counselor;
* People unable to understand and fill out the questionnaires.

Primary outcomes:
measure: depression assessed with the Geriatric Depression Scale
timeFrame: After 8 weeks MBAT, the GDS scores in the intervention group decreased significantly compared to those in the control group
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
Study officials:
References:
citation: Dimidjian S, Hollon SD, Dobson KS, Schmaling KB, Kohlenberg RJ, Addis ME, Gallop R, McGlinchey JB, Markley DK, Gollan JK, Atkins DC, Dunner DL, Jacobson NS. Randomized trial of behavioral activation, cognitive therapy, and antidepressant medication in the acute treatment of adults with major depression. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2006 Aug;74(4):658-70. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.74.4.658.
citation: Dimidjian S, Barrera M Jr, Martell C, Munoz RF, Lewinsohn PM. The origins and current status of behavioral activation treatments for depression. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2011;7:1-38. doi: 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032210-104535.
citation: Dobson KS, Hollon SD, Dimidjian S, Schmaling KB, Kohlenberg RJ, Gallop RJ, Rizvi SL, Gollan JK, Dunner DL, Jacobson NS. Randomized trial of behavioral activation, cognitive therapy, and antidepressant medication in the prevention of relapse and recurrence in major depression. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2008 Jun;76(3):468-77. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.76.3.468.