Evaluation of Metacognitive Training for Depression in Later Life (MCT-Silver)
Depression
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Depression
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Able to give informed consent
- age 60 years or older
- diagnosis of a single episode or recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) or dysthymia (verified by the MINI)
- sufficient command of the German language
- willingness to participate in intervention over a period of 8 weeks (participants who do not attend the intervention will also be included in the analysis)
- Visual and auditory acuity adequate for neuropsychological testing and participation in group sessions
Exclusion Criteria:
- lifetime psychotic symptoms (i.e., hallucinations, delusions or mania)
- acute suicidal tendency
- intellectual disability (estimated IQ < 70)
- dementia or other neurological illness
Sites / Locations
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
MCT-Silver
Cognitive Remediation
Metacognitive training for depression in later life is a cognitive-behaviorally based group therapy, which focuses on helping participants gain (metacognitive) distance from their thought patterns that contribute to depression. Over 8 modules, MCT-Silver addresses issues specific to depression in later life, such as coping with physical changes and loss, as well as adapting to new (social) roles. The program also includes modules on identifying and (re-)defining values in later life and how one may move toward acceptance of situations that cannot be prevented or changed. MCT-Silver addresses cognitive and metacognitive biases that contribute to the onset and maintenance of depression through fun and engaging exercises, as well as using examples from daily life.
mybraintraining© is a computer-based cognitive remediation program, which covers a wide range of neuropsychological exercises involving memory, reasoning, selective attention and psychomotor speed. The program is administered individually on personal computers and each session lasts approximately 45-60 min. To match the MCT-Silver group, participants will complete up to eight sessions of cognitive remediation.