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Background: The 10/66 Dementia Research Group developed and validated a culture and education fair battery of cognitive tests for diagnosis of dementia in population-based studies in low-income and middle-income countries including India.Aims: This study examined the association between individual domains of the 10/66 battery of cognitive tests and 'disability' and 'functional impairment' in community-dwelling older adults in South India.Methods: One hundred twenty-nine adults aged 60-90 years residing in Karunapura, in the city of Mysore, were interviewed in their own homes. Cognitive functioning was measured by administering the 10/66 battery of cognitive tests that composes of Community Screening Instrument for Dementia (CSI'D' COGSCORE), verbal fluency (VF) and word list memory recall (WLMR). A reliable informant was interviewed to ascertain if the subject's cognitive problems have resulted in functional impairment. Disability was measured by WHO Disability Schedule-II (DAS).Results: The women had significantly lower CSI'D' COGSCORE score when compared with men (p = 0.002). The presence of 'functional impairment' resulting from cognitive decline was significantly associated with lower scores on VF (p = 0.03), WLMR (p = 0.03) and CSI'D' COGSCOREs (p < 0.01). There was a significant inverse association between WHO DAS II score and WLMR (p = 0.004), VF (0.006) and CSI'D' COGSCORE scores (p ≤ 0.001) even after adjusting for self-reported ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive airway disease, hypertension and diabetes.Conclusions: Lower scores on individual domains of the 10/66 battery of cognitive tests are associated with higher levels of disability and functional impairment in community-dwelling older adults. These culture and education fair tests are suitable for use in population-based research in India. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Studies investigating the effectiveness of group psychotherapy intervention in sub-threshold depression have shown varying results with differing effect sizes. A systematic review of randomised controlled trials of group psychotherapy in older adults with sub-threshold depression was conducted to present the best available evidence in relation to its effect on depressive symptomatology and the prevention of major depression. Methods Systematic search of electronic databases and random effects model for meta-analysis. Results Four clinical trials met the full inclusion criteria. Group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective intervention for reducing depressive symptoms in older adults with sub-threshold depression in comparison to waiting list. Computerised CBT is at least as effective as group CBT in reducing depressive symptoms. The benefit of group CBT at follow-up is not maintained. Group psychotherapy does not appear to reduce the risk of depressive disorder during follow-up. There are fewer drop outs from group psychotherapy when compared with control conditions. The methodological quality of the studies and their reporting are sub-optimal. Conclusions Group psychological interventions in older adults with sub-threshold depression have a significant effect on depressive symptomatology, which is not maintained at follow-up. Group psychotherapy does not appear to reduce the incidence of major depressive disorders. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Earlier reviews and meta-analyses have consistently concluded that psychological treatment of depression is effective in older adults. We conducted a systematic review randomised controlled trials of group psychotherapy to present the best available evidence in relation to its effectiveness in older adults with depressive disorders. Methods: Electronic databases were searched to identify randomised controlled trials. Selected studies were quality assessed and data extracted by two reviewers. Results: Six trials met the inclusion criteria. The trials included in the review examined group interventions based on the cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) model with active therapeutic interventions or waiting list controls. Group psychotherapy is an effective intervention in older adults with depression in comparison to waiting list controls, the overall effect size is very modest (MD= -3.92, 95%CI: -6.18, -1.67). The reported benefits of group intervention in comparison to other active interventions did not reach statistical significance. The benefits of group psychotherapy were maintained at follow-up. The quality of the studies varied and studies were heterogeneous. Conclusions: Although quality of many studies was not optimal, the results of this meta analysis support the results of earlier meta analyses. Group cognitive behavioural therapy is effective in older adults with depression. Copyright # 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]