Metacognitive Training in the Older Adults With Depressive Symptoms (MCT-Silver)

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF ÉVORA · Dec 6, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The MCT-Silver trial is studying a new group therapy designed to help older adults who are experiencing symptoms of depression. This innovative program focuses on changing negative thought patterns that can contribute to feelings of sadness and hopelessness. By participating in this training, individuals will learn to recognize and correct these harmful thoughts, which may help improve their mood and overall well-being. The trial aims to adapt this training for the Portuguese population and assess its effectiveness through a pilot study and a larger clinical trial.

To be eligible for this study, participants should be 60 years or older, able to understand and speak Portuguese, and willing to join the intervention for 4 to 8 weeks. They should also have a certain level of depression, as measured by a specific scale. However, individuals with serious mental health issues, like active psychosis or severe cognitive problems, will not be included. Participants can expect to engage in group sessions that focus on improving their thinking related to depression, while also contributing to important research that could benefit others in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Ability to give informed consent
• • Age: 60 years or older
• • Sufficient command of the Portuguese language
• • Willingness to participate in the intervention for a period of 4 to 8 weeks (participants who do not participate in the intervention will also be included in the analysis)
• • Adequate visual and hearing acuity for neuropsychological testing and participation in the group sessions
• • Values above 10 on the Hamilton Depression Scale
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Active psychotic symptoms (i.e., hallucinations, delusions, or manias)
• • Acute suicidal ideation
• • Cognitive impairment
• • Dementia or other neurological disease