People living with dementia may benefit from psychological therapies available on the NHS if they suffer from anxiety or depression, research has found.

The study, led by University College London researchers, examined data from the NHS鈥檚 Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service for people with dementia who also had clinically significant anxiety or depression.

The researchers found that among people with dementia, the treatment proved to be beneficial. Some 63% of them saw a reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety, after completing treatment through IAPT. Around 40% recovered completely.

In a control group of people who did not have dementia, 70% of participants saw an improvement in symptoms and 47% recovered.

Hope

Our member Danuta Lipinska, who works with people with dementia, said:

鈥淚t鈥檚 heartening to see the results of this study and the hope that it can bring to many living with dementia.

鈥淲e know the accompanying聽experience of depression聽and anxiety can exacerbate the experience of dementia related symptoms, which then, in turn, increase the depression and anxiety.

Improve wellbeing

鈥淗aving counselled women and men living with a dementia聽for over聽30 years, mainly in private practice, I have seen first-hand the benefits of talking therapy as it interrupts this ongoing cycle and improves wellbeing,鈥� said Danuta, who wrote the book Person Centred Counselling for People with Dementia: Making Sense of Self.

She added: 鈥淭he benefits to partners and family caregivers is also huge as the person they support experiences an enhanced quality of life. I sincerely hope that this study will highlight the need to increase the paid appointment of qualified therapists in local services to ensure real access where people live.鈥�

Previous studies estimate that 38% of people with mild dementia are affected by depression and anxiety.

The new study, published in聽eClinicalMedicine, is the first to assess whether talking therapies delivered within healthcare settings might be helpful to relieve symptoms.

Increase access

Lead author Georgia Bell said: 鈥淭his is the largest ever study to investigate outcomes of psychological therapies in people living with dementia. Our findings suggest that while people with dementia are less likely to improve or recover than those without dementia, psychological therapies offered in primary care mental health services can be beneficial for them.

鈥淐onsequently, our findings support the use of IAPT to treat anxiety and depression in people with dementia. We hope this study will have implications for encouraging referrals and adaptations to increase access and enhance outcomes for people living with dementia.鈥�

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