Effect of psychoeducation in late life depression: A randomized controlled trial

Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, and after the global pandemic COVID-19, it has become even more worse. The treatment of depression should involve pharmacological treatment along with the various kinds of psychotherapies (non-pharmacological management). This study aims to determine the result of psychoeducation in late-life depression by using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17 items (HAMD) and Geriatric Depression Scale (Hindi version) (GDS-H).

The study was registered on the Control Trial Registry of India (CTRI) via CTRI/2019/05/018956. It is a prospective randomized controlled trial of 4 weeks, where 154 patients aged more than 60 years were randomized into two groups, case group (A) (n = 83) who received psychoeducation along with treatment as usual, whereas control group (B) (n = 71) who received placebo along with treatment as usual. The patients were assessed using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17 items (HAMD), Geriatric Depression Scale (Hindi version) (GDS-H) on baseline visit (Day 0), on first follow-up (Day 14), and second follow-up (Day 28). Hindi Mental Status Examination (HMSE) was used on the baseline visit to rule out primary cognitive impairment.

The results were analyzed, and it was concluded that both the groups have significant decrease in HAMD-17 and GDS-30 scores over a period of time with a P-value of <0.001 in both.