Journal article

Behavioral Activation in Nursing Homes to Treat Depression (BAN-Dep): Results From a Clustered, Randomized, Single-Blinded, Controlled Clinical Trial

OP Almeida, H Patel, D Velasquez, R Kelly, R Lai, AH Ford, E Curran, L Flicker, TWH Chong, C Etherton-Beer, D LoGiudice, KA Ellis, A Martini, A Westphal, D Ekers, S Gilbody, NT Lautenschlager

American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry | Published : 2022

Abstract

Objectives: To determine if behavioral activation (BA) delivered by trained staff decreases prevalence of clinically significant symptoms of depression among older adults living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). Methods: Clustered, randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial of BA for adults aged over 60 years living permanently in a RACF with symptoms of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9 ≥ 5). BA was delivered over 8–12 weeks using a structured workbook. The proportion of residents with PHQ-9 ≥ 10 at weeks 12, 26, and 52, as well as anxiety symptoms (GAD-7), physical (PCS), and mental (MCS) quality of life, loneliness, and loss to follow-up were main outcomes of in..

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Grants

Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council


Funding Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a competitive project grant from beyondblue and the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (GNT115029) . The funding agencies were not involved in the design or conduction of the study, nor were they involved in the analysis, drafting of the manuscript, or the decision to publish the results. We also thank participating RACF staff and residents for their generous support of this study despite competing challenges and demands on their time. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare in relation to this study.