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Reducing risk factors for cognitive decline through psychological interventions: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 October 2018

Viviana M. Wuthrich Open the ORCID record for Viviana M. Wuthrich [Opens in a new window] ,
Ronald M. Rapee ,
Brian Draper ,
Henry Brodaty ,
Lee-Fay Low  and
Sharon L. Naismith
Viviana M. Wuthrich*
Affiliation:
Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
Ronald M. Rapee
Affiliation:
Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
Brian Draper
Affiliation:
School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
Henry Brodaty
Affiliation:
Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
Lee-Fay Low
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Sharon L. Naismith
Affiliation:
Healthy Brain Ageing Program, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Viviana Wuthrich, Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, Australia. Phone: +61 2 9850 4866; Fax: +61 2 9850 8062. Email: Viviana. Wuthrich@mq.edu.au
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Abstract

Objectives:

Modifiable factors associated with increased risk of cognitive decline include emotional (anxiety, depression), cognitive (low social and mental stimulation), and health factors (smoking, alcohol use, sedentary lifestyle, obesity). Older adults with anxiety and depression may be at heightened risk due to direct and indirect impacts of emotional distress on cognitive decline.

Design:

Randomized controlled trial

Setting:

Community sample attending a university clinic. Participants: 27 participants (female = 20) aged over 65 years (M = 72.56, SD = 6.74) with an anxiety and/or mood disorder. Interventions: two cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions (face-to-face or low intensity) that targeted emotional, health, and cognitive risks for cognitive decline.

Measurements:

Participants completed diagnostic interviews; self-report measures of anxiety, depression, quality of life, and lifestyle factors at baseline; post-treatment; and 3-month follow-up.

Results:

Both interventions resulted in significant and sustained improvements in depression, anxiety, quality of life, and physical and social activity. At post-treatment, face-to-face CBT demonstrated significantly greater improvements in emotional symptoms, alcohol use, and memory (exercise approached significance). At 3-month follow-up, gains were maintained and there were significantly greater increases in mental activity for face-to-face CBT, with social activity approaching significance. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the feasibility of CBT interventions to reduce emotional as well as lifestyle risk factors associated with cognitive decline in at-risk older participants. Large studies are needed to evaluate the long-term impact on cognitive decline. The trial was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (Trial Registration No. ACTRN12618000939291).

Keywords

preventiondementiaanxietydepressioncognitive declinegeriatriclifestyle
Type
Original Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 31 , Issue 7: Issue Theme: Diverse Approaches to Stemming Cognitive Decline , July 2019 , pp. 1015 - 1025
Copyright
© International Psychogeriatric Association 2018 

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