A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapies for Late-Life Depression

Authors

  • William J. Thomas California School of Professional Psychology & University of California, San Diego http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0596-6085
  • Alexander O. Hauson
  • Jessica E. Lambert
  • Mark J. Stern
  • Julia M. Gamboa
  • Kenneth E. Allen
  • Rick A. Stephan
  • Christine L. Kimmel
  • Scott C. Wollman
  • Matthew G. Hall
  • Benjamin L. Towns
  • Celina Sari
  • Bijan Sharghi
  • Heather Newton

Keywords:

aging, depression, late-life, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, meta-analysis

Abstract

A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted using studies of cognitive-behavioural-therapy based interventions (CBT-BIs) for late-life depression. Patient characteristics, CBT modality, and other study variables were analyzed using subgroup and metaregression analysis methods. Results showed the collective treatment effect of CBT-BIs for reducing late-life depression to be moderate (g = -0.63) with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 66.12%). CBT-BIs were found to be no more effective immediately posttreatment than other psychological treatments, pharmacotherapy, or combination interventions. The data support the notion that CBT is more effective in the long term.

Author Biography

  • William J. Thomas, California School of Professional Psychology & University of California, San Diego
    Omar Alhassoon is a professor at the California School of Professional Psychology and a research scientist at the University of California, San Diego. He is a clinical psychologist who focuses on multicultural psychotherapy and neuropsychology. He has published in the areas of multimodal neuroimaging, CNS changes due to alcohol abstinence, and cross cultural measurement of temperament and personality. In addition to investigating the use of meta-analytical techniques in neuroimaging and neuropsychology, his current research examines the use of divergent neuropsychological approaches for cross cultural assessment of premorbid cognitive functioning in minority groups infected with HIV.

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Published

2018-01-10

Issue

Vol. 52 No. 1 (2018): Regular Issue

Section

Articles/ Articles

License

Copyright is retained by the Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

How to Cite

A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapies for Late-Life Depression. (2018). Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 52(1). https://dev.journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/rcc/article/view/61167