Seventy four participants (Mean age=80.90; SD=7.48; Range=66–95 yo); 74.32% females) were recruited through collaborating community agencies of Weill-Cornell Institute of Geriatric Psychiatry.
Eligible participants had (1) non-psychotic, unipolar MDD DSM-IV diagnosis (SCID-R)[28 ]; (2) Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score≥17 [29 (link)] ; (3) at least mild cognitive deficits (age and education-adjusted scaled score of ≤7 on the DRS subscale of Memory or Initiation Perseveration[30 ]); (4) disability (at least 1 impairment in instrumental activities of daily living [31 (link)]); and (5) limited mobility to attend weekly outpatient treatment, based on participant, caregiver or physician’s report. Eligible participants were either: a) not taking antidepressants, cholinesterase inhibitors, or memantine, or b) on a stable dosage for at least 6 weeks prior to study entry without any medical recommendation for medication change in the next 3 months. Pharmacotherapy was uncontrolled and provided by community physicians.
Exclusion criteria included (1) other Axis I psychiatric disorder (except comorbid anxiety disorders); (2) acute or severe medical illness (e.g., metastatic cancer, liver failure); (3) drugs known to cause depression; (4) current involvement in psychotherapy; (5) advanced dementia, i.e. a Mini Mental State Examination score[32 (link)] <17; and (6) aphasia or inability to speak English. The participants provided signed informed consent. Involvement of a caregiver was encouraged but not required (Table 2 ).
Eligible participants had (1) non-psychotic, unipolar MDD DSM-IV diagnosis (SCID-R)[28 ]; (2) Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score≥17 [29 (link)] ; (3) at least mild cognitive deficits (age and education-adjusted scaled score of ≤7 on the DRS subscale of Memory or Initiation Perseveration[30 ]); (4) disability (at least 1 impairment in instrumental activities of daily living [31 (link)]); and (5) limited mobility to attend weekly outpatient treatment, based on participant, caregiver or physician’s report. Eligible participants were either: a) not taking antidepressants, cholinesterase inhibitors, or memantine, or b) on a stable dosage for at least 6 weeks prior to study entry without any medical recommendation for medication change in the next 3 months. Pharmacotherapy was uncontrolled and provided by community physicians.
Exclusion criteria included (1) other Axis I psychiatric disorder (except comorbid anxiety disorders); (2) acute or severe medical illness (e.g., metastatic cancer, liver failure); (3) drugs known to cause depression; (4) current involvement in psychotherapy; (5) advanced dementia, i.e. a Mini Mental State Examination score[32 (link)] <17; and (6) aphasia or inability to speak English. The participants provided signed informed consent. Involvement of a caregiver was encouraged but not required (
