PUB - Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld

**Objective:**
To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the CORDIAL program, a psychosocial intervention consisting of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive rehabilitation, and reminiscence to manage depressive symptoms for people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. **Design:**
We conducted a randomized controlled trial, based on a two-group (intervention and control), pre-/post-intervention design. **Setting:**
Participants were recruited from five different old age psychiatry and memory clinics at outpatients’ hospitals. **Participants:**
Hundred and ninety-eight people with MCI or early-stage dementia were included. **Intervention:**
The intervention group (n= 100) received 11 individual weekly sessions of the CORDIAL program. This intervention includes elements from CBT, cognitive rehabilitation, and reminiscence therapy. The control group (n= 98) received treatment-as-usual. **Measurements:**
We assessed Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) (main outcome), Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire, and Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s disease (secondary outcomes) over the course of 4 months and at a 10-month follow-up visit. **Results:**
A linear mixed model demonstrated that the depressive symptoms assessed by MADRS were significantly more reduced in the intervention groups as compared to the control group (p< 0.001). The effect persisted for 6 months after the intervention. No significant differences between groups were found in neuropsychiatric symptoms or quality of life. **Conclusion:**
Our multicomponent intervention, which comprised 11 individual sessions of CBT, cognitive rehabilitation, and reminiscence therapy, reduced depressive symptoms in people with MCI and dementia.