Journal of Korean Geriatric Psychiatry

노인정신의학

pISSN 1226-6329 / eISSN 2733-4600


노인정신의학

대한노인정신의학회 (10권2호 76-79)

Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Late-Life Anxiety Disorder

노인불안장애의 인지행동치료

오윤희(Younhee Oh)

Abstract

This paper reviews the Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment (CBT) of late-life anxiety disorders, mainly focused on generalized anxiety disorder. CBT for late-life anxiety disorder is usually based on the same programs with demonstrated efficacy in younger adults, with specific treatment components included relaxation training, cognitive restructuring, and exposure. CBT for late-life anxiety disorders was proved to be more effective than no treatment. But, the existing body of work does not clearly indicate the superiority of CBT over alternative psychosocial interventions. Another serious limitation of CBT is that the rates of attrition in many trials are higher among older adults than among younger adults. Those limitations are strongly suggested that augmented CBT to meet the late-life adult’s characteristics and needs, like as execute function, should be developed. Enhanced CBT is the one of the example, it includes the standard CBT elements, as well as additional attention to at-home practice assignments, reminder telephone call and weekly reviews of concepts and techniques. In conclusion, this review suggested the potential value of CBT for late-life anxiety disorders. Based on the current literature, nonstandard and augmented therapies appear to produce best results.

Keywords

인지행동치료,노인불안장애,범불안장애,실행기능, Cognitive-behavioral treatment,Late-life anxiety disorders,GAD,Executive function