Transdiagnostic CBT treatment of co-morbid anxiety and depression in an older adult: single case experimental design.
BACKGROUND
Despite the prevalence of co-morbid anxiety and depression in older adults, evaluation of suitable clinical models is rare.


OBJECTIVE
This study tested the acceptability and effectiveness of a transdiagnostic approach to treating co-morbid anxiety and depression in an older adults in a routine clinical setting.


METHODS
In an A/B single case experimental design, a patient completed five daily ideographic measures of anxiety and depression across baseline and treatment and the HADS at five time points over time, including 3-month follow-up. The 8-session treatment was transdiagnostic CBT informed by the Unified Protocol.


RESULTS
All sessions were attended. Significant baseline-treatment improvements were found for daily structure, mood, confidence and worry, with large associated effect sizes. The HADS showed that the patient met recovery criteria by the end of treatment, with some evidence of anxious relapse at follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Transdiagnostic CBT offers promise as a treatment approach to mixed anxiety and depression in older adults. The model needs to be further tested using more rigorous and suitably powered methodologies.
University of Sheffield,UK.
Ben
B
Hague
Sheffield Social and Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust,UK.
Shonagh
S
Scott
Sheffield Social and Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, andUniversity of Sheffield,UK.
Stephen
S
Kellett
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans
Unified protocol; older adults; single case experimental design