Effects of group psychotherapy on quality of life of elderly patients with depressive disorder

VernacularTitle:团体心理治疗对老年抑郁障碍患者生活质量的影响
Author: Zhengrong WANG
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Psychotherapy; Depressive disorder; Quality of life
From: Chinese Journal of Health Management 2011;05(4):243-245
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of group psychotherapy on depression in the elderly. Methods A total of 82 elderly patients with depressive disorder were enrolled and assigned to the control group ( n = 40 ) and therapy group ( n = 42 ). The control group obtained general psychological guide and drug therapy, while the therapy group received group psychotherapy and anti-depressants for 4 weeks. One week before and after the intervention, Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) and synthetic life quality scale were used to estimate the functions of the participants. Results At 4 weeks, total score of HAMD of the therapy group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P＜0. 01 ). Synthetic life quality score showed that body, mental and social functions and life quality of the therapy group were significantly higher than the control group. Conclusion Group psychotherapy could be an effective and acceptable treatment for depression in the elderly.