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Metacognitive Training for Depression in later life (MCT-Silver)

Metacognitive training for depression in later life (MCT-Silver) is a cognitive-behaviorally based group treatment, which focuses on helping participants gain (metacognitive) distance from thought patterns that contribute to depression. Differing from other versions of MCT, MCT-Silver addresses issues specific to depression in later life (i.e., geriatric depression), such as coping with physical changes and loss, as well as adapting to new (social) roles (e.g., finding new meaning in life after retirement). MCT-Silver includes modules on identifying and re-defining values in later life and how one may move toward acceptance of situations that cannot be prevented or changed. Like D-MCT, MCT-Silver addresses (meta)cognitive biases that contribute to the onset and maintenance of depression through fun and engaging exercises, as well as using examples from daily life. It also helps participants gain insight into unhelpful thought strategies (e.g., rumination, catastrophizing), which may initially seem helpful but often contribute to increased emotional distress.

Other languages

English
German
Portuguese

Spanish

Although MCT-Silver was developed with individuals 60 and older in mind, everyone’s life course plays out differently and some individuals will not face some of these issues until much later (if at all!). Due to improvements in medicine, the process of aging is currently much different than it was for our parents and grandparents. Nonetheless, aging remains an unavoidable part of life and most of us will experience age-related changes in one way or another, and in some people these may trigger or contribute to depressive symptoms.

The feasibility and acceptance of a beta-version of MCT-Silver among older adults was recently confirmed in an open-label pilot study (Schneider et al., 2018). The training led to a significant reduction in depressive symptoms at a large effect (Cohen’s d = 1.06) among a sample of older adults (average age = 68 years) concurrently completing intensive inpatient treatment for depression. There was also a significant reduction in dysfunctional attitudes at a small effect (d = 0.33). Moreover, participants endorsed MCT-Silver positively, and indicated that they found it to be a helpful and useful part of their treatment, which they would recommend to other individuals with depression.

MCT-Silver Modules

The eight modules (approximately 60-75 minutes each) are available for download from the links below. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. Please email Brooke Schneider (b.viertel@uke.de). The use of the Metacognitive Training Program for Depression in Later Life (MCT-Silver) is permitted with the understanding that it is not to be used for commercial purposes. The statutory provisions of copyright law also apply (e.g., no modification of the materials, no use of slides for other purposes without the authors’ prior consent).

Please note that only a brief manual for D-MCT and MCT-Silver is available in English, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. The full D-MCT manual has not yet been translated. It is currently only available in German and is published by Beltz (Jenlinek et al., 2015).

Modules

Workbook, Manual and Exercises

Please also note that we have developed e-learning programmes for the MCT and D-MCT: www.uke.de/e-mct | www.uke.de/e-dmct

Core members

  • Dr. Brooke Schneider
  • Dr. Ruth Veckenstedt
  • M.Sc. Josefine Gehlenborg
  • Prof. Dr. Lena Jelinek
  • Prof. Dr. Steffen Moritz

Cooperation partners

  • Dr. med. Evangelos Karamatskos
  • Dr. Sandra Leh-Seal (Praxis für Neuropsychologie & Entwicklungsförderung (NEF), Meilen, Zürich, Schweiz)
Publications

Jelinek, L., Hauschildt, M., & Moritz, S. (2015). Metakognitives Training bei Depression. Weinheim: Beltz.

Schneider, B.C., Bücker, L., Riker, S., & Jelinek, L. (2018). A pilot study of Metacognitive Training for Depression in older adults. Zeitschrift für Neuropsychologie, 29, 7-19.

Help us to help others!

In view of the challenging financial situation of many psychiatric hospitals, it is our goal to provide metacognitive training for depression in later life (MCT-Silver) free of charge. Your donation is essential to our work and will help to improve the lives of many older adults suffering from depression. We would be very grateful if you would support MCT-Silver by donating to our program.

All donations will be used to support the further development of MCT-Silver (future tasks: translation of modules into other languages, creating new graphics, hiring students to conduct MCT-Silver groups in clinics). Upon request, we will send you a receipt for your donation (please send an email to Steffen Moritz (moritz@uke.de) and include your mail address). Please inquire about different possibilities for sponsorships.

Please help us to help others!

Donate now