An empirical review of cognitive therapy for late life depression: does research evidence suggest adaptations are necessary for cognitive therapy with older adults?

This paper describes the treatment of depression in older adults using cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) as first developed by Beck and colleagues. Evidence for the validity and effectiveness of this form of treatment is considered by reference to published outcome research and meta-analysis studies. Attempts to compare CBT approaches with other forms of psychotherapy have indicated minimal differences in outcome with all therapy modalities reporting beneficial effects in comparison to no treatment or placebo. It is clear that an empirical evaluation of cognitive-behaviour therapy for late life depression is still in its early stages as evidenced by the small number of published studies. The clinical issue of whether therapeutic adaptations are necessary in order for cognitive therapy to be effective with older adults is briefly discussed with reference to the literature from outcome research. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]