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University Honors Theses University Honors College

2016

Depression in Older Adults in Nursing Homes: A Review of the Literature Isabella McCarthy-Zelaya Portland State University

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Recommended Citation McCarthy-Zelaya, Isabella, "Depression in Older Adults in Nursing Homes: A Review of the Literature" (2016). University Honors Theses. Paper 266.

10.15760/honors.259

Depression in Older Adults in Nursing Homes: A Review of the Literature

by

Isabella McCarthy-Zelaya

An undergraduate honors thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the

requirements for the degree of

Bachelor of Science

in

University Honors

and

Psychology

Thesis Adviser

Dr. Diana White

Portland State University

2016

Abstract The rates of depression are high in nursing homes and often is not treated. A systematic

literature review was conducted searching for research studies on depression interventions in

nursing homes. Nineteen studies met selection criteria, which included being published in a peer-

reviewed journal, being set in a nursing home and utilizing an experimental design. The sample

sizes of the studies ranged from 21 participants to as many as 595; the lengths of the studies

varied as well from 4 weeks to 24 weeks, with six studies also including follow-ups up to one

year post-intervention. Studies showed that interventions involving reminiscing on meaning of

life, music and dance therapy, increasing pleasant events in the nursing home, and demonstrating

goal-oriented problem-solving strategies significantly improved depressive symptoms in older

adults in nursing homes. In many cases, depressive symptoms improved even in control groups

due to increased social contact from researchers; depressive symptoms decreased significantly

when social contact was highly individualized. Interventions involving cognitive stimulation

therapy, exercise therapy and interventions involving reminiscence on personal life did not

improve depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were measured using a version of the

Geriatric Depression Scale in most of the studies. The remaining studies used the Cornell Scale

for Depression in Dementia, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, or the Montgomery-

Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Review findings suggest that multiple interventions can be

used successfully to more adequately care for depressed older adults. Discussion will include

integrating pieces of these effective interventions into nursing home.

Introduction

Over one million Americans currently reside in nursing homes (U.S Census Bureau,

2010). This number can only be expected to increase as the older adult population—people aged

65 years and older—is projected to increase over the next 20-40 years. Advancements in

healthcare are keeping people alive longer, and the large baby boomer population is now

reaching old age, increasing the proportion of older adults even more (Jeste DV, Alexopoulos GS,

Bartels SJ, & et al., 1999).

The lifestyle of older adults differs from adults in younger stages of life. For example,

older adults are more likely to experience more loneliness (Luhman & Hawkley, 2016),

experience a harmful fall and have a fear of falling (Howland et al., 1998). Older adults are also

less expectant of finding purpose in life as they age, thus they will even stop seeking out new

sources of purpose. Lacking a sense of purpose is correlated with feelings of hopelessness and

symptoms of depression. Having a sense of purpose can be as simple as having goals and sense

of direction in life, and feeling needed and paid attention to by others (Pinquart, 2002).

Major depression affects an estimated 1 to 4% of the older adult population (Alexopoulos,

2005); however, major depression affects older adults living in nursing homes disproportionately.

An estimated 20.3% of older adults in nursing homes are affected by major depression. The rate

is likely even higher when subsyndromal depression is factored in. Subsyndromal depression is

when depression symptoms are present, yet the symptoms are not severe or numerous enough to

be considered major or even minor depression. Even though the rate is so high, depression is still

incredibly under-recognized in nursing homes leaving many older adults untreated. For older

adults in nursing homes, depression is not a normal part of life and is very treatable. The

treatment of depression is a serious topic, as it does not only mean personal suffering but can

also contribute to the promotion of disability, a worsened outcome of diseases, and decreased

cognitive and social functioning, which are all associated with increased mortality (Jones,

Marcantonio & Rabinowitz, 2003).

Many theories on combating depression without the use of medication exist. Jongenelis et

al. suggests receiving “instruction on body-mind relations, relaxation techniques, cognitive

restructuring, problem solving, communication, and behavioral management of insomnia,

nutrition, and exercise” can reduce symptoms of depression.

One theory of combating depression in older adults is the behavioral activity therapy

(Meeks and Depp, 2002). This therapy could reduce depression symptoms through the

implementation of pleasant events in the nursing home. This looks like assessing events that are

found to be pleasant to older adults and then implementing these activities. This is based on the

theory that positive reinforcement for older adults in nursing homes does not exist. Because their

environments have been so disrupted in transitioning to nursing home life, depression symptoms

occur. As such, integrating events that these older adults rate as pleasant events could be an

effective way of lowering depression symptoms.

Reminiscence therapies are another common intervention for depression in older adults.

The theory of integrative reminiscence therapy is based in the hypothesis that negative thoughts

about the self, the world and the future that are not true are contributing to depression; and so, by

older adults directly dealing with these negative thoughts, incorrect causal attributions can be

disconfirmed (Walt & Cappliez, 2000). Instrumental reminiscence therapy is grounded in a

somewhat different theory: the assumption that depression symptoms arise from an inability to

cope with stressors in the environment, and suggests that by calling upon memories of past

coping strategies, these strategies can subsequently be used to better deal with stressors in the

current environment.

It is also theorized that music therapy is helpful in reducing depression symptoms by

using goal-directed and evidence-based practices (Hanser & Thompson, 1994). Music therapies

fall into two groups, active and receptive therapy. Receptive music therapy uses the

psychological, emotional and physiological effects of music to treat illness. Active music therapy

uses learning how to play instruments (Guètin et al, 2009). Exercise interventions are also

thought to reduce depression symptoms. Exercise activity is correlated with improved moods and

cognitive function (Blumenthal et al., 1999), along with inactivity being correlated with

depression and anxiety symptoms (Ströhle, 2008).

Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) is commonly used as preventative measure against

dementia in older adults. Apostolo et al., (2014) theorize that the skills learned in CST that

promote the capacity for self-care will also aid in combating depression symptoms by the

subsequent increase in an older adult’s ability for self-care. Pet therapy has historically played a

positive role in physical and psychological rehabilitation (Moretti et al., 2010). Depression in

older adults has been shown to be very affective in nature, thus it is theorized that pet therapy

can be helpful in reducing depression symptoms in older adults.

The aim of the following literature review is to further investigate interventions for

depression in older adults in nursing homes, in search of patterns that may arise. The

interventions will be investigated via studies that were experimentally designed.

Methods Search Strategy

To find relevant articles, the keywords and phrases used for search were ‘depression

treatment’, ‘aging’ and ‘nursing home’. These key words and phrases were searched in various

databases and journals; these included Google Scholar, PsychInfo, AgeLine, MedLine, The

Journal of Gerontology, The Gerontologist and Aging and Mental Health. Additional sources

were discovered through viewing bibliographies of studies already found.

Criteria for Inclusion and Exclusion

To be included, an intervention had to take place in a nursing home and use experimental

or quasi-experimental methodologies. The study also required to be published in peer-reviewed

journal articles. Dissertations, books, and papers that could not be accessed through the Portland

State University Library were all excluded from the review.

Data Compilation

An evidence table was constructed to facilitate comparisons across the studies. Elements

of interest included the type and description of the intervention, how the study was designed,

sample size, study length, if there was a follow-up measurement, the outcomes of the study and

what measures and statistical analyses were used.

Data The literature search resulted in eighteen studies of depression interventions in nursing

homes. The sample sizes of the studies ranged in size from 21 participants to as many as 793.

The studies also varied greatly in length of interventions; some interventions were studied for as

little four weeks, while others were as extensive 12-17 months. Six studies also had follow-up

check-ins six months post-test.

All the interventions in the articles were studied using an experimental design, and all

used statistical analyses of the changes in measure scores to assess the efficacy of the

interventions. Ten of the eighteen studies used T-Test for statistical significance, one studied

used Pearson’s r, and the remaining studies used ANOVA or ANCOVA.

Study Design Intervention Type Sample Size

Study Length

Follow Up Intervention Description Outcome

Measures of Depression

Experimental Control Statistical Analysis

1 Meeks et al. (2008)

Randomized Control Trial

Behavioral Activity Intervention (psychosocial)

82 10 weeks Yes; 3- month and 6-month

Weekly meetings with MHT, and staff intervention (activities department), and increase in pleasant events

More likely to be remitted at end of trial (45.2% vs 15.0%). at 3-month more likely to be improved/remitted. Effects no longer seen at 6-month.

Often improved but not remitted

MMSE, GDS, SCID-IV

T-test, Chi Square

2 Teri et al. (1997)

Randomized Control Trial

Behavioral Activity Intervention

88 9 weeks Yes; 6- month

Two treatments: patient pleasant events and caregiver problem solving along with behavior therapy

Significant improvement in depression scores in both treatment groups. Most improvement in PS group

Some members of the control groups saw improvement in depression scores

HDRS, CSDD MANOVA

3Gellis et al. (2014)

Randomized Control Trial

Telehealth Education and Activation of Mood (I-TEAM)

102 8 weeks Yes. 3, 6, & 12-month

Telehealth nurse providing problem solving treatment for depression.

I-TEAM mean HAM-D, PHQ-9 scores fell by half at 3-months

Slight decrease in scores at 3- month, slight increase in following 3-month

HAM-D, PHQ- 9,

T-test

4Szczepanska, Kowalska, Pawik, & Rymaszewska (2014)

Randomized Control Trial

Group Psychotherapy

28 4 weeks

No goal-focused group psychotherapy was used; building social connections, focus on things in life that can be changed, focus directed onto the future

All members of treatment group no longer had severe depression symptoms

Some reduction in depression symptoms

GDS-15 T-test

5Hyer et al. (2008)

Stepped- wedge, Randomized Control Trial

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

25 15 weeks No. Group, individual and staff therapy (GIST). 15 sessions. Group sessions are focused on goal-setting and attainment with social support

Depression scores reduced by more than 50%

Depression scores increased GDS-S T-test

6 Underwood et al. (2013)

Cluster Randomized Control Trial

Exercise Therapy 595 12 months No twice-weekly physiotherapist- led 45 min exercise sessions

No significant changes in GDS scores

No significant changes in GDS scores

GDS-15 T-test

7Vankova et al. (2014)

Randomized Control Trial

Dance Therapy 162 3 months No. Exercise dance for seniors for 60min/week

Significant improvement in depression scores

Non-significant worsening of depression scores

GDS T-test

8Williams and Tappen. (2008)

Random, 3- group, repeated measure design

Exercise Therapy 45 16 weeks program of three groups: exercise, supervised walking, social conversation

More improvements in exercise patients than control patients

Social conversation group improved slightly

CSDD T-test

9Chueh and Chang (2014)

Quasi- Experimental

Reminiscence Therapy

22 2-weekly sessions for 4 weeks

Yes; 3 & 6- month

Group reminiscence therapy. Mean GDS score decreased by 7 points post-test. Increased by ~2 points every 3-months post- test

Mean GDS score increased over 6-month period

Taiwan GDS T-test

10 Melendez et al. (2013)

3 group, pre- post test experimental design

Reminiscence Therapy

34 6 weeks Yes. 3- month

ve reattribution therapy

All groups showed improvement, integrative treatment group showing most improvement.

Control group showed some improvements

GDS-15 ANCOVA

11Karimi et al. (2010)

Randomized, pre-post test design

Reminiscence 29 6 weeks No 3-groups: instrumental reminiscence (discussion of past experiences to solve present problems), active discussion (placebo) control group

Integrative reminiscence intervention provided significant decrease in depression scores

Integrative and placebo groups did not have significant changes in depression scores

GDS-15 ANCOVA

12 Stinson and Kirk (2006)

Two-group comparison of Treatment vs. Activity Group

Reminiscence Therapy

24 6 weeks No Group reminiscence on depression and self- transcendence. Twice weekly 60-min sessions.

No significant changes in depression scores

No significant changes in depression scores

GDS Pearson’s r.

13 Tsai et al. Quasi- Self-worth 63 4 weeks Yes; 2- All participants met with a Statistically significant decrease Statistically significant decrease GDS T-test

Group reminiscence

therapy

(2008) experimental Therapy month research 1day/week. Only experimental group received self-worth therapy. Involved teaching strategies for managing depression and dignity therapy

in depressive symptoms. More than control group at 2 months

in depressive symptoms. Less than experimental at 2 months

14Buettener and Fitzsimmons (2002)

Randomized Control Trial

One-to-one bicycle/wheelchair therapy

70 10 weeks No Small group therapy and bicycle rides. (individualized social contact)

Significant decrease in depression scores (almost 50%)

Slight increase in depression scores

GDS T-test

15McCurren et al. (1999)

Randomized Control Trial

Trained gero- psychiatric Nurse + trained volunteer contact

85 24 weeks No. Twice weekly visits of volunteers, and weekly visit from nurse. Study of efficacy of individualized social support interventions.

Significant improvement. “quality not frequency”

No change measured GDS, MMSE ANOVA, ANCOVA

16 Werner, Wosch and Gold (2015)

Randomized Intervention Trial

Group music therapy vs. group singing

117 12 weeks No. Groups were assigned to either music therapy or group singing

Music Therapy Group had a significant decrease in depression scores. (more decrease in dementia patients)

Group Singing increased depression scores significantly

MADRS T-test

17Apostolo, Cardoso, Rosa, Paul (2014)

Randomized Control Trial

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy

56 7 weeks No Intervention was 14 CST sessions in groups of six to eight older adults

No significant changes in depression scores

No significant changes in depression scores

GDS-15 ANOVA

18Moretti et al. (2011)

Pre-post Control, Experimental Design

Pet Therapy 21 6 weeks No. 90-min, once a week of pet interaction for intervention group. Control group only viewed the pets

Mean depression scores decreased by half.

Some improvement. 2-poing decrease in scores

MMSE, GDS T-test

Results Interventions

The most common intervention applied in the nursing home trials was reminiscence

therapy; this was seen in five studies (Chueh & Chang, 2014; Mendelez et al., 2013; Karimi et al.,

2010; Stinson & Kirk, 2006; Tsai et al., 2008). Reminiscence therapies can vary in how they are

implemented. The reminiscence therapies seen in this review were instrumental and integrative

reminiscence therapies. Integrative reminiscence is a group intervention involving reflection on

the continuity and meaning of life along with disconfirmation of negative self-worth and

renewing sources of self-worth. Instrumental reminiscence therapy involves reflecting on past

experiences and using those experiences to solve current problems.

Following reminiscence therapy, the next most common intervention was exercise

therapy; this was seen in three studies (Underwood et al, 2013; Vankova et al. 2014; Williams &

Tappen, 2008). The exercise interventions varied and included dance, walking or organized

exercise therapy. Three studies utilized interventions that taught goal-oriented, problem-solving

strategies to depressed older adults (Gellis et al., 2014; Szczepanska, Kowalska, Pawik, &

Rymaszewska, 2014; Hyer et al., 2008). This group intervention encouraged social connections

between group members to provide support to each other while working through problems, while

providing techniques for problem solving that focused on future goals.

Two studies focused on increasing pleasant events in nursing homes; these pleasant

events were activities that were shown to be enjoyed by older adults (Meeks et al., 2008; Teri et

al., 1997). Two studies focused on the effects individualized social interactions with older adults,

either by spending one-on-one time with the older adult participating in an activity or in

conversation (Buettener & Fitzsimmons, 2002; McCurren et al., 1999).

The remaining studies focused on a type of intervention not reported in other studies. One

study employed cognitive stimulation therapy—a group intervention that aims to advance

cognitive and social functioning through number and word games (Apostolo, Cardoso, Rosa &

Paul, 2014). One study used a pet therapy intervention (Moretti et al., 2011), and one study used

a music therapy intervention (Werner, Wosch & Gold, 2015).

Measures

The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is an extensively used instrument for assessing

depression symptoms in older adults. The long-form GDS is a 30-item measure consisting of

yes-or-no answer questions. The GDS-15 is a shorter version consisting of the most relevant

items for assessment of depression symptoms. This scale was used in 15 of the 19 studies; six of

these studies employed the short form, the remaining studies employed the long form (Yesevage

et al., 1982).

The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) is a questionnaire administered by a

healthcare professional to assess depression symptoms. The questionnaire contains 21 items with

answers on scale of either 0-2 or 0-4; 0 being the absence of a symptom, and 4 being a very

severe symptom. This measure was used in three studies (Yesevage et al., 1982).

The Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD) measures depression via two

interviews: one with the older adult, and the other with an informant who knows the older adult

well. The items in the interviews are rated on scale from 0-2. A score of above 10 indicates

probable major depression. This measure was used in two studies (Alexopoulos, 2005).

The Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) is a questionnaire that rates

ten symptoms of depression on scale of 0-6. This measure is used upon the diagnosis of

depression to measure the severity of the symptoms and depression episodes, and was only used

in one study (Muller, 2003).

Outcomes of Interventions

Reminiscence therapy was shown to be effective in some cases. The instrumental

reminiscence interventions were not effective across three studies, according to GDS and CSDD

scores. Integrative studies, however, were effective across two studies according to GDS scores.

Only one of the exercise therapy interventions, exercise dance therapy, produced significant

improvements as measured by GDS or CSDD. Three studies opted for teaching problem-solving

techniques. These interventions were successful in all three trials according to GDS and HAM-D

scores.

Two more studies tested interventions involving increasing pleasant events in the nursing

home, which decreased depression symptoms according to GDS and CSDD measures. Two

studies with highly individualized social interaction interventions showed significantly reduced

GDS scores. In one study, cognitive stimulation therapy was shown to be ineffective at reducing

depression symptoms, and in one other study, pet therapy was shown to be effective in reducing

depression symptoms according to GDS scores. The control groups of eight studies also

demonstrated some improvement in depression symptoms.

Group-style interventions that were successful were those that used the group for social

connections and support. One-on-one style interventions that were successful were those that

made the personal interactions highly individualized. Although many of the studies did not

include follow-up measures, those that did all demonstrated that within six months post-test, the

positive effects of the interventions were no longer seen.

Discussion Themes in the literature

All of the interventions in the reviewed studies fell into one of two categories: group-

style and individualized-style interventions. Both of these intervention types were shown to have

positive effects on depression symptoms. In the successful interventions that used group-type

interventions, the groups were connected socially and used these social connections for support.

However, group effects alone were not enough to improve depression symptoms–the

interventions themselves were also necessary for the improvement. This is seen in the control

groups of these interventions; even though the group effects were present, it was not enough to

reduce depression symptoms significantly.

A similar trend is seen in the studies using one-on-one type interventions. The successful

interventions were those that made interactions highly individualized, and catered to fit the needs

of each individual older adult. This was seen in interventions such as music therapy and the

individualized social interaction intervention.

Interventions with a focus on setting goals were effective. The use of goals is an effective

way to keep focus on the future. Teaching new skills allows for goal-setting and provides older

adults the opportunity to focus on the future. This can explain why Exercise Dance Therapy

(EXDASE) was an effective intervention where the other exercise interventions were not.

EXDASE taught the skill of dance to the older adults in addition to being an exercise

intervention.

Differences in the frequency of an intervention did not appear to be a factor in these

studies. Essentially, the interventions did not need to take place daily for effects on depression to

take place. With the exception of one study in which the intervention took place four times per

week, the successful interventions occurred no more than twice a week. However, continuity

appeared to play an important role. In the studies that did have a follow-up measurement, by six-

months post-test, the progress made from the interventions could no longer be seen. So, it is

important that interventions are lasting, not just temporary.

Implications for practice

Any of the interventions that were found to be effective could be potentially integrated

into a nursing home. The key implications are that effective interventions occurred once to twice

a week, and the more time that passed after the intervention, the less the positive effects are seen.

Therefore, when integrating an intervention, the intervention does not need to take place daily to

have a positive effect on depression symptoms. However, since the effects interventions have

been shown to lessen after the intervention period ends, the intervention being on-going is

important.

Implications for Research

Based on the themes that were identified in the literature review, some suggestions can be

made for further research: would an intervention that integrated the common themes identified in

successful the interventions be the most helpful in combating nursing home depression?

Pinquart (2002) suggested that a person’s sense of purpose in life lies in having goals and a

direction in life, as well as feeling wanted and needed by others. The common themes identified

by the effective interventions all supported one of these factors of a sense of purpose. The

interventions that were highly individualized—the intervention with volunteers that have

individual interactions with the older adults, and the intervention with the wheelchair-bicycle—

allowed the older adults to feel wanted by others. The interventions that encouraged group

interaction and social support, like the integrative reminiscence and problem-so

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