None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Older adults have the lowest rate of mental health treatment in Australia. Access to evidence-based treatment is a major barrier. Online treatments can extend the reach of psychological therapies to those most vulnerable. This study aims to examine the efficacy, moderators and acceptability of an internetdelivered cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) program for older adults with anxiety and/or depression (Ageing Wisely Online), compared to a delayedtreatment waitlist control group. 68 older adults (aged over age 65) with an anxiety and/or depressive disorder will be randomly allocated to receive Ageing Wisely Online or to a waitlist controlled group. The Ageing Wisely Online program will consist of 10 iCBT modules, supported by brief 15-minute weekly therapist phone calls. Participants will complete diagnostic interviews and self-report measures at baseline, post-treatment and 3-month follow-up. With an internationally ageing population, these results will provide important information about alternate treatment delivery models for older adults with anxiety and depression.
Interventions
This study uses a parallel group superiority randomised controlled trial design to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a transdiagnostic internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) program for older adults with anxiety and/or depression (Ageing Wisely Online), compared to a delayed-treatment waitlist control group.
Ageing Wisely Online (ageingwisely.org.au) is a 10 module, therapist-supported online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) program that is delivered over 10-12 weeks. This
This study uses a parallel group superiority randomised controlled trial design to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a transdiagnostic internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) program for older adults with anxiety and/or depression (Ageing Wisely Online), compared to a delayed-treatment waitlist control group. Ageing Wisely Online (ageingwisely.org.au) is a 10 module, therapist-supported online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) program that is delivered over 10-12 weeks. This program has been co-designed with older consumers and old age mental health clinicians to ensure usability and engagement. The program teaches core CBT skills (psychoeducation, behavioural activation, cognitive restructuring, problem solving, exposure therapy, communication skills, skills to manage sleep problems and relapse prevention) using videos, text, case examples and interactive activities. Clients are expected to complete one module per week (approximately 1hour). Clients will also receive an optional workbook and can elect to complete therapy homework activities either via the online platform, or in a physical workbook. Clients learn and apply the skills independently. Clients are supported by weekly manualised 15-minute phone calls from therapists after they have completed each module to support them to apply the skills to their personal situation, and to help maintain motivation. Treatment adherence and completion of online modules will be monitored via online access records, as well as verbal reports to therapists during the weekly phone calls.
Sponsors
Macquarie University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Aged over 65 years Primary anxiety and/or unipolar depressive disorders based on a semi-structured diagnostic interview (Anxiety Disorder Interview Schedule for DSM-5).
Exclusion criteria
English language illiteracy, psychosis or bipolar disorder, active suicidality, significant uncorrected hearing or vision loss and likely moderate to severe dementia based on a standardized cognitive screener. Participants currently using (psychotropic) medications will not be excluded, but need to be stabilised on medications and dose for 1 month before baseline assessments.
Outcome results
None listed