Treffer: Emotion-centered problem solving therapy for generalized anxiety disorder: a single-arm pilot study with middle-aged and older adults.

Title:
Emotion-centered problem solving therapy for generalized anxiety disorder: a single-arm pilot study with middle-aged and older adults.
Authors:
Beaudreau SA; Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA.; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.; School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia., Otero MC; Max Planck Institute for Social Law and Social Policy, Munich, Germany., Lutz JA; Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA., Gould CE; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.; Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA., Cassidy Eagle E; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA., Suresh M; Department of Rehabilitation Psychology, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA., Kramer A; Ray Dolby Brain Health Center, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, USA., Wetherell JL; Mental Health Impact Unit 3, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA., Warren SL; Department of Psychology, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, USA., Mashal NM; Department of Clinical Psychology, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, Jordan.
Source:
Aging & mental health [Aging Ment Health] 2026 Jan; Vol. 30 (1), pp. 65-74. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Sep 13.
Publication Type:
Journal Article
Language:
English
Journal Info:
Publisher: Routledge Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9705773 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1364-6915 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 13607863 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Aging Ment Health Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s):
Publication: Abingdon : Routledge : Taylor & Francis Group
Original Publication: Abingdon ; Cambridge, MA : Carfax, c1997-
MeSH Terms:
Anxiety Disorders*/therapy , Problem Solving* , Emotion-Focused Therapy*/methods , Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*/methods, Humans ; Pilot Projects ; Aged ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Feasibility Studies ; Depression/therapy ; Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Contributed Indexing:
Keywords: Older adults; cognitive behavioral therapies; worry
Entry Date(s):
Date Created: 20250913 Date Completed: 20260102 Latest Revision: 20260102
Update Code:
20260102
DOI:
10.1080/13607863.2025.2542399
PMID:
40944400
Database:
MEDLINE

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Objectives: Older adults may be particularly vulnerable to the negative effect of distress on cognition, thus explaining cognitive behavioral therapy's (CBT's) diminished efficacy for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in later life. Emotion-centered Problem Solving Therapy (EC-PST) may address this and other barriers to skill acquisition.
Method: This single-arm pilot aimed to determine the feasibility of 6-session EC-PST to achieve clinically significant improvements in anxiety and/or worry symptoms in adults aged 55+ with GAD. Secondary analyses also examined reductions in depressive symptoms and assessed participant satisfaction with treatment components.
Results: Sixteen adults aged 58 to 83 years old with current GAD were enrolled. Fourteen participants completed treatment. Twelve participants (85.7%) had a clinically significant pre- to post-treatment reduction in anxiety and/or worry symptoms. Additionally, nine (64.2%) had a clinically significant reduction in depressive symptoms. Qualitative feedback indicated a high level of satisfaction based on themes of reduced avoidance, increased confidence in managing anxiety, and feeling more in control of life problems.
Conclusion: Findings support feasibility and acceptability of EC-PST for GAD in middle-aged and older adults that is worthy of follow up in a randomized controlled trial given the limited options for evidence-based therapy in later life anxiety.