Behavioral Activation for the Prevention and Treatment of Depression in Older Adults in a Municipal Context: a Randomized Controlled Trial

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a brief psychological treatment called Behavioral Activation (BA) to prevent and treat depression in adults aged 65 and older within a municipal care setting in Sweden. Depression is common among older adults and affects quality of life and daily functioning. This trial aims to understand whether BA can improve depressive and anxiety symptoms, self-rated activation, functional ability, loneliness, self-efficacy, mental wellbeing, quality of life, and reduce the need for community care services. The study also explores experiences of both patients and therapists involved in the BA treatment. Participants will continue their usual care, and half will be randomly assigned to receive a five-session BA treatment over two months, delivered face-to-face in their homes by social workers. The BA sessions start weekly for four weeks, followed by a booster session four weeks later. The other half will receive care as usual without the BA intervention. This design allows comparison between BA plus usual care and usual care alone. Participants will complete questionnaires at the start, after two months, and at 3, 6, and 12 months to assess outcomes including depressive symptoms measured with the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale. Additional evaluations include anxiety, disability, loneliness, self-efficacy, mental wellbeing, quality of life, and community care needs. The total participation spans one year, with data collected to understand both short- and long-term effects of the BA treatment.

Behavioral Activation for the Prevention and Treatment of Depression in Older Adults in a Municipal Context