The effectiveness of a Group and a Self-help Life-review Therapy Intervention for Older Adults with Moderate Depressive Symptomatology

Although there is substantial evidence for the efficacy of life-review as an early treatment of depression in later life, the effectiveness in its natural setting has not been studied and most trials evaluated group interventions. Therefore, this presentation focuses on two large randomized controlled trials; one that evaluated a group life-review therapy intervention in its natural setting (n=202) and one that evaluated life-review therapy as a guided self-help intervention (n=174). The group intervention was compared with care-as-usual, whereas the guided self-help intervention was compared with care-as-usual and a minimal intervention (expressive writing). Results of the first trial showed that, although the group intervention primarily alleviates depressive symptoms, it is also effective in reducing anxiety symptoms and strengthening positive mental health. Besides, moderator analyses showed that the intervention is broadly applicable. Results of the second trial will demonstrate if life-review therapy can also be successfully implemented as a guided self-help intervention.