Metakognitives Training bei Depression im höheren Lebensalter (MKT-Silber)

Depression is one of the most frequent mental illnesses in later life; however, the utilization of psychotherapy among older adults with depression remains inadequate so that many of those affected go untreated. Interventions, which are easy to implement, are urgently needed to close the treatment gap.

This clinically oriented article presents the theoretical background, the practical application and empirical data for metacognitive training for depression in older adults (MCT-Silver).

Evidence regarding the need for the development and improved dissemination of a low-threshold intervention for depression in later life, the theoretical foundation of metacognition and information on the clinical application as well as empirical evidence supporting the efficacy of MCT-Silver are presented.

MCT-Silver was developed as an age-adapted version of MCT for depression (D-MCT). The training is oriented on the definition of metacognition referring to awareness of one’s own cognitive processes and aims to increase patient awareness for thought distortions typical for depression, which are associated with dysfunctional behavior and emotion regulation strategies and contribute to the maintenance of depression. Through engaging exercises, the participants should learn to reflect on their thought processes at the metalevel and develop more balanced alternative thoughts. Topics relevant to later life, such as role changes, coping with losses or the (re)identification of values are also addressed. A randomized controlled trial reported the first results on the effectiveness of MCT-Silver compared to an active control group.

The MCT-Silver is an easy to implement cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based intervention, which can help close the treatment gap. The MCT-Silver material is available in four languages at no cost (uke.de/mct-silver).