The results of a 6-month treatment for depression on symptoms, life satisfaction, and community activities among individuals aging with a disability

Objective: To evaluate the results of treating major depression in individuals aging with a disability. Design: Pre-post quasi-experimental design with a treatment and comparison group over 6 months. Participants: Participants were people with a disability living in a community in Southern California. Fifty-four participants who accepted treatment were compared with 22 individuals who declined treatment. Interventions: Combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant medication. Measures: Depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, and community activities. Results: Treated individuals improved significantly on all 3 measures. Average depression scores declined 50% (P <.001). There was a nonsignificant 12% decline in the comparison group. Conclusion: These results suggest that depression is treatable in this population. Studies that overcome obstacles to randomized clinical trials are needed.