Behavioral Treatment of Depression in Dementia Patients: A Controlled Clinical Trial

TLDR

The study evaluates two nonpharmacological treatments for depression in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Seventy‑two patient–caregiver dyads were randomized to one of four groups—pleasant‑event, caregiver problem‑solving, typical care, or wait list—and assessed before, after, and six months post‑intervention. Both behavioral treatments produced significant, sustained reductions in patient depression and diagnosis, and also improved caregiver depressive symptoms, outperforming typical care and wait‑list controls.

Abstract

The current study is a controlled clinical investigation of two nonpharmacological treatments of depression in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Two active behavioral treatments, one emphasizing patient pleasant events and one emphasizing caregiver problem solving, were compared to an equal-duration typical care condition and a wait list control. Seventy-two patient-caregiver dyads were randomly assigned to one of four conditions and assessed pre-, post-, and at 6-months follow-up. Patients in both behavioral treatment conditions showed significant improvement in depression symptoms and diagnosis as compared with the two other conditions. These gains were maintained at 6-month follow-up. Caregivers in each behavioral condition also showed significant improvement in their own depressive symptoms, while caregivers in the two other conditions did not. Results indicate that behavioral interventions for depression are important and effective strategies for treating demented patients and their caregivers.