Dataset Information

A digital intervention targeting cognitive control network dysfunction in middle age and older adults with major depression.

ABSTRACT: Nonpharmacological interventions targeting putative network mechanisms of major depressive disorder (MDD) may represent novel treatments. This mechanistic study investigates how a video game-like intervention, designed to improve cognitive control network (CCN) functioning by targeting multitasking, influences the CCN of middle-aged and older adults with MDD. The sample consisted of 34 adults aged 45-75 with SCID-defined diagnosis of MDD, Hamilton depression rating scale scores ≥20, and a deficit in cognitive control. Participants were instructed to play at home for 20-25 min per day, at least 5 times per week, for 4 weeks. Evidence of target engagement was defined a priori as >2/3 of participants showing CCN improvement. CCN engagement was defined as a change in a Z score of ≥0.5 on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in activation and functional connectivity of the CCN during task-based and resting-state fMRI, respectively. 74% of participants showed a change in activation of the CCN, and 72% showed an increase in resting-state functional connectivity. Sixty-eight percent demonstrated improved cognitive control function, measured as either improvement on sustained attention or working memory performance or reduced self-reported symptoms of apathy on the frontal systems behavioral scale (FrsBe). Participants also reported a significant reduction in mood symptoms measured by PHQ-9. A remotely deployed neuroscience-informed video game-like intervention improves both CCN functions and mood in middle-aged and older adults with MDD. This easily-disseminated intervention may rescue CCN dysfunction present in a substantial subset of middle-aged and older adults with MDD.

SUBMITTER: Gunning FM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8096948 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

A digital intervention targeting cognitive control network dysfunction in middle age and older adults with major depression.

Gunning Faith M FM Anguera Joaquin A JA Victoria Lindsay W LW Areán Patricia A PA

Translational psychiatry 20210504 1

Nonpharmacological interventions targeting putative network mechanisms of major depressive disorder (MDD) may represent novel treatments. This mechanistic study investigates how a video game-like intervention, designed to improve cognitive control network (CCN) functioning by targeting multitasking, influences the CCN of middle-aged and older adults with MDD. The sample consisted of 34 adults aged 45-75 with SCID-defined diagnosis of MDD, Hamilton depression rating scale scores ≥20, and a defici ...[more]

PMID: 33947831

Similar Datasets

Project description:BACKGROUND:Digital mental health interventions offer a scalable solution that reduces barriers to seeking care for clinical depression and anxiety. OBJECTIVE:We aimed to examine the effectiveness of a 12-week therapist supported, app-based cognitive behavioral therapy program in improving symptoms of depression and anxiety within 9 months. METHODS:A total of 323 participants with mild to moderately severe depression or anxiety were enrolled in a 12-week digital cognitive behavior therapy program. The analysis was restricted to participants who provided at least one follow-up assessment after baseline. As a result, 146 participants (45.2%) were included in the analysis-74 (50.7%) participants completed assessments at 3 months, 31 participants (21.2%) completed assessments at 6 months, and 21 participants (14.4%) completed assessments at 9 months. The program included structured lessons and tools (ie, exercises and practices) as well as one-on-one weekly video counseling sessions with a licensed therapist for 12 weeks and monthly check-in sessions for 1 year. The clinically validated Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) were used to assess depression and anxiety, respectively. Linear mixed-effects modeling was employed to examine changes in depression and anxiety over time. RESULTS:We observed a significant positive effect of program time on improvement in depression (?=-0.12, P<.001) and anxiety scores (?=-0.10, P<.001). At the end of the 12-week intervention, we observed an average reduction of 3.76 points (95% CI -4.76 to -2.76) in PHQ-8 scores. Further reductions in depression were seen at program month 6 (4.75-point reduction, 95% CI -6.61 to -2.88) and program month 9 (6.42-point reduction, 95% CI -8.66 to -6.55, P<.001). A similar pattern of improvement emerged for anxiety, with a 3.17-point reduction at the end of the 12-week intervention (95% CI -4.21 to -2.13). These improvements were maintained at program month 6 (4.87-point reduction, 95% CI -6.85 to -2.87) and program month 9 (5.19-point, 95% -6.85 to 4.81). In addition, greater program engagement during the first 12 weeks predicted a greater reduction in depression (?=-0.29, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS:The results suggest that digital interventions can support sustained and clinically meaningful improvements in depression and anxiety. Furthermore, it appears that strong initial digital mental health intervention engagement may facilitate this effect. However, the study was limited by postintervention participant attrition as well as the retrospective observational study design.

Project description:BackgroundBy 2050, worldwide dementia prevalence is expected to triple. Affordable, scalable interventions are required to support protective behaviours such as physical activity, cognitive training and healthy eating. This paper outlines the theory-, evidence- and person-based development of 'Active Brains': a multi-domain digital behaviour change intervention to reduce cognitive decline amongst older adults.MethodsDuring the initial planning phase, scoping reviews, consultation with PPI contributors and expert co-investigators and behavioural analysis collated and recorded evidence that was triangulated to inform provisional 'guiding principles' and an intervention logic model. The following optimisation phase involved qualitative think aloud and semi-structured interviews with 52 older adults with higher and lower cognitive performance scores. Data were analysed thematically and informed changes and additions to guiding principles, the behavioural analysis and the logic model which, in turn, informed changes to intervention content.ResultsScoping reviews and qualitative interviews suggested that the same intervention content may be suitable for individuals with higher and lower cognitive performance. Qualitative findings revealed that maintaining independence and enjoyment motivated engagement in intervention-targeted behaviours, whereas managing ill health was a potential barrier. Social support for engaging in such activities could provide motivation, but was not desirable for all. These findings informed development of intervention content and functionality that appeared highly acceptable amongst a sample of target users.ConclusionsA digitally delivered intervention with minimal support appears acceptable and potentially engaging to older adults with higher and lower levels of cognitive performance. As well as informing our own intervention development, insights obtained through this process may be useful for others working with, and developing interventions for, older adults and/or those with cognitive impairment.

Project description:ObjectivesAntidepressants have limited efficacy in older adults with depression and cognitive impairment, and psychosocial interventions for this population have been inadequately investigated. Problem Adaptation Therapy (PATH) is a psychosocial intervention for older adults with major depression, cognitive impairment, and disability.DesignThis study tests the efficacy of PATH versus Supportive Therapy for Cognitively Impaired Older Adults (ST-CI) in reducing depression (Montgamery Asberg Depression Rating Scale [MADRS]) and disability (World Health Organization Disability Assessments Schedule-II [WHODAS-II]) and improving cognitive outcomes (Mini Mental State Examination [MMSE]) over 24 weeks (12 weeks of treatment and 12-week post-treatment follow-up).SettingParticipants were recruited through collaborating community agencies of Weill Cornell Institute of Geriatric Psychiatry. Both interventions and all research assessments were conducted at home.ParticipantsThirty-five older adults (age ≥ 65 years) with major depression and cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND).InterventionsPATH aims to increase emotion regulation by incorporating a problem-solving approach, teaching compensatory strategies, and inviting caregiver participation. Supportive Therapy aims to facilitate the expression of affect, as well as promote empathy.MeasurementsDepression was measured using the MADRS, disability using the WHODAS-II, and cognition using the MMSE.ResultsPATH participants showed significantly greater reduction in MADRS total score (7.04 points at 24 weeks, treatment group by time interaction: F[1,24.4] = 7.61, p = 0.0108), greater improvement in MMSE total score (2.30 points at 24 weeks, treatment group by time interaction: F[1,39.8] = 13.31, p = 0.0008), and greater improvement in WHODAS-II total score (2.95 points at 24 weeks, treatment group by time interaction: F[1,89] = 4.93, p = 0.0290) than ST-CI participants over the 24-week period.ConclusionsPATH participants had better depression, cognitive, and disability outcomes than ST-CI participants over 6 months. PATH may provide relief to depressed older adults with CIND who currently have limited treatment options.

Project description:ImportancePreventing depression in older adults living in low- and middle-income countries is important because of the scarcity of treatment resources and the risk of disability, suicide, and dementia.ObjectiveTo assess whether an intervention for depression prevention provided by lay counselors is effective in older adults from low- and middle-income countries.Design, setting, and participantsThis parallel-group randomized clinical trial with masked outcome assessment was performed in 181 older adults (≥60 years) with subsyndromal depressive symptoms at rural and urban primary care clinics in Goa, India. The first participant entered the trial on March 31, 2015, and the last exited on June 2, 2017. Data analysis used the intention-to-treat approach.InterventionsLay counselors provided problem-solving therapy, brief behavioral treatment for insomnia, education in self-care of common medical disorders such as diabetes, and assistance in accessing medical and social programs.Main outcomes and measuresThe main outcome was incidence of major depressive episodes. The study also assessed symptom change during 12 months (12-item General Health Questionnaire [GHQ-12]; score range of 0 to 12, with higher scores indicating greater symptoms of depression and anxiety), functional status (World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0; score range of 12 to 60, with higher scores indicating greater disability), cognition (Hindi Mini-Mental State Examination; score range of 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive functioning), blood pressure, and body mass index to provide further clinical context.ResultsThe study enrolled 181 participants (mean [SD] age, 69.6 [7.2] years; 114 [63.0%] female): 91 to the intervention arm (depression in later life [DIL] intervention) and 90 to care as usual (CAU). Incident episodes of major depression were lower in the DIL intervention than in the CAU group (4.40% vs 14.44%; log-rank P = .04; number needed to treat, 9.95; 95% CI, 5.12-182.43). The 12-month Kaplan-Meier estimates of percentage of depression-free participants were 95.1% (95% CI, 90.5%-99.9%) in the DIL group vs 87.4% (95% CI, 80.4%-95.1%) in the CAU group. The incidence of depressive symptoms (GHQ-12) was also less (12-month mean difference, -1.18; 95% CI, -2.03 to -0.31; group × time interaction P < .001). There were no changes in measures of disability or cognition. The DIL intervention was associated with a significantly greater lowering of systolic blood pressure (12-month mean difference, -6.98; 95% CI, -11.96 to -2.01; group × time interaction P < .001) and change in body mass index (12-month mean difference, 0.23; 95% CI, -0.97 to 1.43; P = .04).Conclusions and relevanceThe DIL intervention is effective for preventing episodes of major depression in older persons with subsyndromal symptoms. If replicated, the DIL intervention may be effective in older adults living in low- and middle-income countries.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02145429.

Dataset Information

A digital intervention targeting cognitive control network dysfunction in middle age and older adults with major depression.

Publications

A digital intervention targeting cognitive control network dysfunction in middle age and older adults with major depression.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets