title: Cognitive-behavioral treatment for depressed patients with Alzheimer's disease. An open trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Depression has a high prevalence among patients with Alzheimer's disease, and it has a significant negative impact on their functioning. However, despite its significant impact and challenge, few treatment outcomes data are available to guide clinical care of depression among this population. We developed a cognitive-behavioral intervention to persons with AD. In this paper, we describe the intervention and results of an open trial evaluating its feasibility and utility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dementia Unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Alzheimer's disease patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The treatment was administered over a period of three months with the implication of a caregiver. Dyads were followed for an additional three months in-person sessions. A selection of skills is offered, including education and self-awareness, coping self-statements, behavioral activation, problem-solving therapy, exercise, and caregiver education.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine participants were enrolled. Overall, patients and caregivers were satisfied with the treatment and reported that they benefited-in terms of depression, anxiety, and caregiver distress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings are preliminaries and attention now needs to be turned to futher evaluation in a randomized clinical trial.
authors.affiliation: Andalusian Institute for Neuroscience, Alzheimer Research Center and Memory Clinic, Málaga, Spain. Electronic address: jmgalberca@ianec.com.
authors.forename: José María
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: García-Alberca
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Cognitive-behavioral therapy; Depression