Cognitive bibliotherapy and memory training for older adults with depressive symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
Substantial evidence indicates that depressed participants perform more poorly than nondepressed participants on a number of memory tasks. Cognitive deficits associated with depression (i.e., poor allocation of attention, poor encoding strategies), may help explain why depressed older adults are particularly prone to evidence poorer memory performance.


METHODS
The present study compared the impact of two self-administered treatment protocols, cognitive bibliotherapy for depression plus memory training (CBT + MT) and cognitive bibliotherapy alone (CBT), to a wait-list control condition on measures of memory functioning and depression in a group of older adults experiencing depressive symptoms and memory complaints.


RESULTS
Results provide partial support for CBT as a treatment for depressive symptoms; however, memory training augmentation did not produce improvements.


CONCLUSIONS
Suggestions for improving retention of older adults in self-administered treatments are discussed.
a Department of Psychology , University of Alabama , Tuscaloosa , AL, USA.
Forrest
F
Scogin
J Kaci
JK
Fairchild
Adriana
A
Yon
Douglas L
DL
Welsh
Andrew
A
Presnell
D000368:Aged; D001638:Bibliotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
cognitive functioning; depression; psychotherapy