The use of alternative therapies to treat geriatric depression

Evaluating the effects of music and animal-assisted therapy on depression in aged care residents

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN93225273

Enrollment

150

Registered

2008-05-29

Start date

2008-06-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2015-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Depression Mental and Behavioural Disorders Depression

Interventions

Experimental conditions: Music therapy and animal-assisted therapy will each be presented by accredited therapists twice weekly to small groups (N = 5) for four weeks, yielding a total of eight thera

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Adults (65+ years), either sex 2. A score of at least 20 on the Standardised Mini Mental Status Examination (SMMSE) 3. A score of at least 5 on the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) 4. English fluency

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Diagnosis of dementia or delirium 2. Significant hearing or vision impairments 3. Unable to provide informed consent (due to mental status) 4. Placed in the facility within the previous three weeks

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
1. Affective: symptoms of depression will be measured with the mood disorder module of the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (SCID-IV-TR) and the GDS 2. Cognitive: general cognitive status will be assessed using the SMMSE. The more specific domain of executive functioning will be assessed using the Trail Making Test Part A and B, Digit-Symbol Coding and the Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWA). 3. General health and well-being: assessed using the Australia Quality of Life (AQoL) Scale. Pain will be assessed the Present Pain Index (PPI) and the Modified Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (MCIRS). All outcomes will be measured over the course of four days prior to the four week intervention period and in the week following treatment.	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Affective: symptoms of depression will be measured with the mood disorder module of the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (SCID-IV-TR) and the GDS 2. Cognitive: general cognitive status will be assessed using the SMMSE. The more specific domain of executive functioning will be assessed using the Trail Making Test Part A and B, Digit-Symbol Coding and the Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWA). 3. General health and well-being: assessed using the Australia Quality of Life (AQoL) Scale. Pain will be assessed the Present Pain Index (PPI) and the Modified Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (MCIRS). All outcomes will be measured over the course of four days prior to the four week intervention period and in the week following treatment.

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Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Neurophysiological measures: Two EEG components will be explored. First, previous research has indicated that depression is associated with relative left frontal asymmetry and that pharmacological and psychological treatment for depression may normalise this brain activity pattern. Second, abnormal P300 responses (such as reduced amplitude and increased latency) have also been observed in individuals with depression. Given these findings, this study will explore the effect of alternative therapies on the topographic distribution of spectral power and the amplitude and latency of the P300 evoked potential. All outcomes will be measured over the course of four days prior to the four week intervention period and in the week following treatment.	—

Measure

Time frame

Neurophysiological measures: Two EEG components will be explored. First, previous research has indicated that depression is associated with relative left frontal asymmetry and that pharmacological and psychological treatment for depression may normalise this brain activity pattern. Second, abnormal P300 responses (such as reduced amplitude and increased latency) have also been observed in individuals with depression. Given these findings, this study will explore the effect of alternative therapies on the topographic distribution of spectral power and the amplitude and latency of the P300 evoked potential. All outcomes will be measured over the course of four days prior to the four week intervention period and in the week following treatment.

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Countries

Australia

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026