Cognitive-behavioral treatment of late-life generalized anxiety disorder.

TLDR

The study evaluated whether cognitive‑behavioral therapy improves anxiety outcomes in older adults with generalized anxiety disorder compared to minimal contact control. Participants completed standardized assessments of worry, anxiety, depression, specific fears, and quality of life to gauge treatment effects. CBT produced significant reductions in worry, anxiety, depression, and improved quality of life, with 45 % of participants responding versus 8 % in control, and most gains lasting up to one year, though full normative recovery was not achieved.

Abstract

This study addressed the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), relative to minimal contact control (MCC), in a sample of 85 older adults (age 60 years and over) with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). All participants completed measures of primary outcome (worry and anxiety), coexistent symptoms (depressive symptoms and specific fears), and quality of life. Results of both completer and intent-to-treat analyses revealed significant improvement in worry, anxiety, depression, and quality of life following CBT relative to MCC. Forty-five percent of patients in CBT were classified as responders, relative to 8% in MCC. Most gains for patients in CBT were maintained or enhanced over 1-year follow-up. However, posttreatment scores for patients in CBT failed to indicate return to normative functioning.