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Bringing the bedside to the bench, and then to the community: a prospectus for intervention research in late‐life anxiety disorders
Author(s) -
Lenze Eric J.,
Wetherell Julie Loebach
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.2074
Subject(s) - prospectus , anxiety , psychological intervention , quality of life (healthcare) , intervention (counseling) , cognition , psychology , clinical psychology , randomized controlled trial , psychiatry , adverse effect , psychotherapist , medicine , gerontology , surgery , finance , economics
Background Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent in elderly persons, and they are associated with functional impairment, poorer quality of life, and adverse long‐term consequences such as cognitive decline. Intervention research in late‐life anxiety disorders (LLAD) lags behind where it ought to be. Research in cognitive neuroscience, aging, and stress intersects in LLAD and provides the opportunity to develop innovative interventions to prevent chronic anxiety and its consequences in this age group. Methods This paper evaluates gaps in the evidence base for treatment of LLAD and synthesizes recent research in cognitive neuroscience, basic behavioral science, stress, and aging. Results We examine three intervention issues in LLAD: (1) prevention; (2) acute treatment; and (3) pre‐empting adverse consequences. We propose combining randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with mechanistic biobehavioral methodologies as an optimal approach for developing novel, optimized, and personalized treatments. Additionally, we examine three barriers in the field of LLAD research: (1) How do we measure anxiety?; (2) How do we raise awareness?; (3) How will we ensure our research is applicable to underserved populations (particularly minority groups)? Conclusions This prospectus outlines approaches for intervention research that can reduce the morbidity of LLAD. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.