title: Lay providers can deliver effective cognitive behavior therapy for older adults with generalized anxiety disorder: a randomized trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Institute of Medicine recommends developing a broader workforce of mental health providers, including nontraditional providers, to expand services for older adults. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is effective for late-life generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), but no study has examined outcomes with delivery by lay providers working under the supervision of licensed providers. The current study examined the effects of CBT delivered by lay, bachelor-level providers (BLP) relative to Ph.D.-level expert providers (PLP), and usual care (UC) in older adults with GAD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 223 older adults (mean age, 66.9 years) with GAD recruited from primary care clinics at two sites and assigned randomly to BLP (n = 76), PLP (n = 74), or UC (n = 73). Assessments occurred at baseline and 6 months. CBT in BLP and PLP included core and elective modules (3 months: skills training; 3 months: skills review) delivered in person and by telephone, according to patient choice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CBT in both BLP and PLP groups significantly improved GAD severity (GAD Severity Scale), anxiety (Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Anxiety Scale), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire), insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index), and mental health quality of life (Short-Form-12), relative to UC. Response rates defined by 20% reduction from pre- to posttreatment in at least three of four primary outcomes were higher for study completers in BLP and PLP relative to UC (BLP: 38.5%; PLP: 40.0%; UC: 19.1%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lay providers, working under the supervision of licensed providers, can deliver effective CBT.
authors.affiliation: Houston VA HSR&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Houston, Texas; Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (A Virtual Center), Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Melinda A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Stanley
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Amber B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Amspoker
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kraus-Schuman
authors.forename: Paula D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Wagener
authors.forename: Jessica S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Calleo
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cully
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.forename: Howard M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Rhoades
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Masozera
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Horsfield
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Kunik
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000193:education; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011361:Professional Competence; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone; D014481:United States
keywords: controlled clinical trial; mental health; psychotherapy