title: Computerised cognitive behavioural therapy for depression and anxiety with older people: a pilot study to examine patient acceptability and treatment outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study objective was to determine the acceptability and treatment outcome of using Beating the Blues (BTB) with older people (6 + years). Specific aims included identifying the treatment uptake and drop-out rate, and describing the role of basic demographics in therapy uptake.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-eight participants, experiencing symptoms of depression, were given a free choice of receiving treatment as usual (TAU) plus BTB (TAU + BTB) or TAU alone. All participants completed demographic questionnaires and a range of outcome measures at baseline, 2 months after baseline (end of treatment) and 3 months after baseline (follow-up).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-three participants (56.9%) opted to receive BTB and reported having more experience and confidence using a computer than those who declined BTB. Twenty-four participants (72.7%) went on to complete all eight BTB sessions. Statistical analysis found significant differences between the two treatment groups, with the TAU + BTB group showing greater improvements in their symptoms of depression and anxiety than the TAU group by the end of treatment and at follow-up. Furthermore, the TAU+ BTB group had a significantly higher percentage of participants who met criteria for clinically significant improvement in their symptoms of depression by the end of treatment and at follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although further research is required, including a randomised controlled trial, the results of this initial pilot study provide evidence that BTB may offer an acceptable and effective treatment option for older people.
authors.affiliation: NHS Tayside, Clinical Psychology to General Adult Psychiatry, The Alloway Centre, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: McMurchie
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Macleod
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Power
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laidlaw
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Prentice
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Beating the Blues; anxiety; computerised cognitive behaviour therapy; depression; older people