A single-case design investigation for measuring the efficacy of Gestalt therapy to treat depression in older adults with dementia in Italy and in Mexico: a research protocol

Abstract

Psychotherapy is one of the evidence-based clinical interventions for the treatment of depression in older adults with dementia. Randomized Controlled Trials are often the first methodological choice to gain evidence, yet they are not applicable to a wide range of humanistic psychotherapies. Amongst all, the efficacy of the Gestalt therapy (GT) is under-investigated. The purpose of this paper is to present a research protocol aiming to assess the effects of a GT-based intervention on people with dementia (PWD) and the indirect influence on their family carers. The study implements the Single-Case Experimental Design with Time-Series Analysis that will be carried out in Italy and Mexico. Ten people in each country, who received a diagnosis of dementia and present depressive symptoms, will be recruited. Eight or more GT sessions will be provided whose fidelity will be assessed by the GT Fidelity Scale. Quantitative outcome measures are foreseen for monitoring participants’ depression, anxiety, quality of life, carers’ burden, and the caregiving dyad mutuality, at baseline and follow-up. The advantages and limitations of the research design are considered. If GT will result effective in the treatment of depression in PWD, it could enrich the range of evidence-based interventions provided by healthcare services.

The interest to expand group-based studies with single-case experimental design studies in the investigation of the effects of physical exercise in frail older adults: an opinion article

“…Literature reports a tentative use of SCED in frail older adults with dementia and Parkinson's disease (21)(22)(23)(24)(25). These studies have tested the effects of cognitive therapies (Psychosocial intervention, Gestalt therapy, Cognitive-behavioral therapy) (21)(22)(23)(24) and multimodal therapies (25) on the perceived stress, global cognitive functioning, behavioral and psychological symptoms, depression, anxiety, and independent outdoor activities. One important point is that the results showed that these therapies are efficient for some but not all participants.…”