Cognitive-behavioral treatment of late-life generalized anxiety disorder.
This study addressed the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), relative to minimal contact control (MCC), in a sample of 85 older adults (age 60 years and over) with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). All participants completed measures of primary outcome (worry and anxiety), coexistent symptoms (depressive symptoms and specific fears), and quality of life. Results of both completer and intent-to-treat analyses revealed significant improvement in worry, anxiety, depression, and quality of life following CBT relative to MCC. Forty-five percent of patients in CBT were classified as responders, relative to 8% in MCC. Most gains for patients in CBT were maintained or enhanced over 1-year follow-up. However, posttreatment scores for patients in CBT failed to indicate return to normative functioning.
Stanley
Melinda A
MA
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 77030, USA. melinda.a.stanley@uth.tmc.edu
Beck
J Gayle
JG
Novy
Diane M
DM
Averill
Patricia M
PM
Swann
Alan C
AC
Diefenbach
Gretchen J
GJ
Hopko
Derek R
DR
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires