[MVT - A Multiprofessional Behavioural Therapy Program for Inpatient Treatment of Depression in Old Age]. / MVT - ein Multiprofessionelles VerhaltensTherapeutisches Programm zur stationären Behandlung von Depressionen im höheren Lebensalter.

OBJECTIVE: Depression in old age is common but patients are rarely treated in specialized units implementing a psychotherapeutic treatment approach. METHODS: A multiprofessional behavioral therapy program (MVT) for inpatient treatment of depressive elderlies was conceptualized, implemented and evaluated at a specialized unit of a hospital for psychiatry and psychotherapy. RESULTS: Preliminary analyses indicated that various behavioral group interventions were well accepted by patients. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a psychotherapeutic therapy program specifically designed for depressed elderly inpatients is feasible and could be more broadly applied to improve clinical practice for this patient group.