Evaluation of Metacognitive Training for Depression in Later Life (MCT-Silver)

A Randomized Controlled Trial Examining the Efficacy of Metacognitive Training for Depression in Later Life (MCT-Silver)

The study will evaluate the efficacy of metacognitive training for depression in later life (MCT-Silver) vs. cognitive remediation (mybraintraining©) in reducing depressive symptoms among older adults.

The study examines the efficacy of Metacognitive Training for depression in later life (MCT-Silver). The study intends to investigate the extent to which MCT-Silver leads to a significant reduction in depressive symptoms compared to an active control group (mybraintraining©) (primary outcome: change in clinician-assessed depressive symptoms from t0 to t1 and t2). Secondary outcomes include change in self-reported depressive symptoms and dysfunctional (meta) cognitive beliefs, as well as quality of life, rumination, self-reported anxiety, attitudes toward aging and neuropsychological functioning from t0 to t1 and t2. The study design is a randomized-controlled trial with one intervention group and one active control group.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Able to give informed consent
• age 60 years or older
• diagnosis of a single episode or recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) or dysthymia (verified by the MINI)
• sufficient command of the German language
• willingness to participate in intervention over a period of 8 weeks (participants who do not attend the intervention will also be included in the analysis)
• Visual and auditory acuity adequate for neuropsychological testing and participation in group sessions

Exclusion Criteria:

• lifetime psychotic symptoms (i.e., hallucinations, delusions or mania)
• acute suicidal tendency
• intellectual disability (estimated IQ < 70)
• dementia or other neurological illness