The systematic activation method as a nursing intervention in depressed elderly: a protocol for a multi-centre...

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Psychiatry
• Nursing Interventions
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) affects 2% of elderly individuals.
• Current MDD treatments include medication and psychological interventions.
• Behavioral Activation (BA) is an accessible MDD treatment lacking research in inpatient elderly populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the effectiveness of BA delivered by nurses in elderly inpatients with MDD.
• To assess BA's impact on depression levels, activity, mastery, costs, anxiety, and quality of life.
• To establish BA as a viable nursing intervention for geriatric depression.

Main Methods:

• Multi-center cluster randomized controlled trial comparing BA (Systematic Activation Method - SAM) with Treatment As Usual (TAU).
• Inclusion criteria: MDD diagnosis (DSM-IV), age 60+, Dutch literacy, informed consent.
• 102 participants across ten Dutch mental health care units, assessed at baseline, 8 weeks, and 6 months.

Main Results:

• Primary outcome: depression levels measured by Beck Depression Inventory (Dutch version).
• Secondary outcomes: activity level, mastery, costs, anxiety, and quality of life.
• Data analysis will determine the comparative effectiveness of SAM versus TAU.

Conclusions:

• This is the first study to evaluate BA as a nursing intervention for inpatient elderly individuals with MDD.
• The study received ethical approval and is registered in the Dutch Trial Register.
• Findings will inform the integration of BA into nursing care for geriatric depression.