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Reducing risk factors for cognitive decline through psychological interventions: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Viviana M Wuthrich1, Ronald M Rapee1, Brian Draper2
1Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
International Psychogeriatrics
|October 25, 2018
Summary
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions effectively reduced emotional and lifestyle risks for cognitive decline in older adults. Both face-to-face and low-intensity CBT showed sustained improvements in mental well-being and activity levels.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Clinical Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline include emotional (anxiety, depression), cognitive (low stimulation), and health (smoking, alcohol, sedentary lifestyle, obesity) factors.
- Older adults with anxiety and depression face heightened risks due to emotional distress's impact on cognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions in reducing emotional, health, and cognitive risk factors for cognitive decline.
- To evaluate the efficacy of face-to-face versus low-intensity CBT in at-risk older adults.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 27 older adults (aged over 65) with anxiety/mood disorders.
- Participants received either face-to-face or low-intensity CBT targeting modifiable risk factors.
- Assessments included diagnostic interviews and self-report measures at baseline, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- Both CBT interventions led to significant, sustained improvements in depression, anxiety, quality of life, and physical/social activity.
- Face-to-face CBT showed superior improvements in emotional symptoms, alcohol use, and memory post-treatment.
- At 3-month follow-up, face-to-face CBT demonstrated greater increases in mental activity.
Conclusions:
- CBT interventions are feasible for reducing emotional and lifestyle risk factors associated with cognitive decline in older adults.
- Face-to-face CBT appears more effective for certain outcomes, warranting further investigation.
- Larger trials are necessary to confirm the long-term impact of CBT on cognitive decline.
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