Long-term remission and relapse of anxiety and depression in older adults after Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): A 10-year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial

Background This study examined the long-term durability of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for older adults with comorbid anxiety and depression 10 years after treatment, in comparison to an active control group. Method Participants from a randomised controlled trial for older adults with comorbid anxiety and depression (Wuthrich et al., 2016) were re-contacted. Participants had received either group CBT or an active control treatment (Discussion Group). The final sample (N = 54; Aged 70–84, Mage = 76.07, SD = 3.83; 59 % of the eligible original sample) completed a diagnostic interview, cognitive assessment and self-report measures of symptoms and quality of life. Results CBT was associated with significantly improved long-term (10-year) efficacy for reducing anxiety and depression in older adults compared to the Discussion group. Effects included higher rates of remission (58 % remission of all diagnoses vs 27 %, 88 % of all depressive diagnoses vs 54 %, 63 % of all anxiety diagnoses vs 35 %, 67 % of primary diagnosis vs 42 %), lower rates of relapse (25–31 % vs 50–78 %) and lower rates of chronic treatment-resistance (8 % primary disorder vs 39 %, 21 % any disorder vs 58 %). Participants who showed an acute treatment response at post-treatment were 7–9 times more likely to be in remission after 10 years than those with residual symptoms. Limitations Results may not generalise to those who do not complete CBT, and the time trajectory of symptom change is unclear. Conclusions Long-term improvements in symptoms are specific to CBT. Results provide compelling evidence for CBT as an effective and durable treatment for late-life anxiety and depression.