Lay-delivered behavioral activation for depressed senior center clients: Pilot RCT.

TitleLay-delivered behavioral activation for depressed senior center clients: Pilot RCT.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2019
AuthorsRaue PJ, Sirey JAnne, Dawson A, Berman J, Bruce ML
JournalInt J Geriatr Psychiatry
Volume34
Issue11
Pagination1715-1723
Date Published2019 11
ISSN1099-1166
KeywordsAged, Aged, 80 and over, Behavior Therapy, Depressive Disorder, Female, Health Promotion, Health Services for the Aged, Humans, Male, Mental Health Services, Middle Aged, Pilot Projects, Senior Centers
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We describe the development of a lay-delivered behavioral intervention ("Do More, Feel Better") for depressed senior center clients, and we present preliminary data from a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) on (a) the feasibility of training lay volunteers to fidelity and (b) the acceptability, impact, and safety of the intervention.

METHODS: We trained 11 volunteers at two aging service settings in "Do More, Feel Better" and randomized 18 depressed clients to receive the intervention or referral to mental health services.

RESULTS: Pilot data indicated that we can successfully train and certify 64% of older volunteers and that depressed clients receiving the intervention reported high levels of session attendance and satisfaction. While there were no significant differences in 12-week reduction in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores between groups, intervention clients showed an 8-point reduction in comparison with a 0-point reduction among referral clients.

CONCLUSIONS: "Do More, Feel Better" has the potential of transferring evidence-based behavioral interventions to the hands of supervised lay volunteers and can address the insufficient workforce providing geriatric mental health services.

DOI10.1002/gps.5186
Alternate JournalInt J Geriatr Psychiatry
PubMed ID31368583
PubMed Central IDPMC6803033
Grant ListP30 MH085943 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R34 MH111849 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States