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The impact of life review on depression in older adults: a randomized controlled trial

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 February 2010

Anne Margriet Pot ,
Ernst T. Bohlmeijer ,
Simone Onrust ,
Anne-Sophie Melenhorst ,
Marjolein Veerbeek  and
Wilma De Vries
Anne Margriet Pot*
Affiliation:
Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, The Netherlands Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Ernst T. Bohlmeijer
Affiliation:
Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, The Netherlands Department of Behavioral Sciences, University of Twente, The Netherlands
Simone Onrust
Affiliation:
Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Anne-Sophie Melenhorst
Affiliation:
Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, The Netherlands Melenhorst Teksten, Heino, The Netherlands
Marjolein Veerbeek
Affiliation:
Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Wilma De Vries
Affiliation:
Partoer, Center for Public Development, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Professor Anne Margriet Pot, The Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, PO 725, 3500 AS Utrecht, The Netherlands. Phone: +31 30 2971152; Fax: +31 30 2971111. Email: APot@trimbos.nl.
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Abstract

Background: We developed an indicated preventive life-review course, “Looking for Meaning”, based on the assumption that reminiscence styles influence coping with depressive symptoms. This study describes the impact of this course in a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.

Methods: Inclusion criteria were >50 years, a score of 5 or higher on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and no depressive disorder or psychotropic or psychological treatment. Participants were randomized and stratified by gender: the experimental group (N = 83) was offered the course and the comparison group (N = 88) a movie. There were three measurements: pre-treatment, post-treatment and 6 months after post-treatment. Depressive symptoms constituted the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were anxiety symptoms, satisfaction with life, mastery and reminiscence styles. All analyses were conducted according to the intention-to-treat principle. Missing values were replaced by regression imputation.

Results: The course reduced depressive symptoms, a decrease that was retained during follow-up. A significant between-group effect size was found (d = 0.58). There was also a reduction in symptoms of anxiety; however, the comparison group showed the same reduction, resulting in a small between-group effect size. Gender and level of depressive symptoms were found to be prognostic factors for the change in depressive symptoms; age was not. Post hoc analyses showed significant between-group effect sizes for females and those with a score above the cut-off of the CES-D.

Conclusion: The course “Looking for Meaning” can be recommended for people aged over 50 years, females and older adults with a clinically relevant level of depressive symptoms (above cut-off) in particular.

Keywords

depressionpsychological well-beingolder adultslife reviewreminiscence therapypsychotherapypreventionintervention
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 22 , Issue 4 , June 2010 , pp. 572 - 581
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2010

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