A 12-week multidomain intervention for late-life depression: a community-based randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Psychiatry
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Current treatments for late-life depression are often insufficient, highlighting the need for multidomain interventions.
• Multidomain interventions integrate various therapeutic approaches to address complex health needs in older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy of a 12-week multidomain intervention in reducing depressive symptoms in older adults.
• To investigate the impact of the intervention on resting-state functional connectivity in the brain.

Main Methods:

• A 12-week community-based randomized controlled trial involving 78 older adults with major depressive disorder.
• Intervention group received four home visits and 12 telephone calls incorporating physical activity, healthy diet, social activity, and cognitive restructuring.
• Control group received supportive therapy. Primary outcome measured by Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).

Main Results:

• The multidomain intervention group showed a significantly greater reduction in MADRS scores over 12 weeks compared to the supportive therapy group (P = 0.007).
• At week 12, the intervention group had a lower MADRS total score (difference = 5.117; P = 0.029).
• The intervention group exhibited reduced functional connectivity between the posterior cingulate cortex and left inferior parietal lobule (FDR < 0.1).

Conclusions:

• A 12-week multidomain intervention is effective in reducing depressive symptoms in elderly individuals with major depressive disorder.
• The intervention demonstrated potential benefits beyond symptom reduction, influencing brain functional connectivity.
• Findings suggest multidomain interventions are a promising strategy for managing late-life depression.