Do antidepressants, electroconvulsive therapy, psychological therapies, and exercise improve major depression in older adults?
Antidepressants, ECT, psychological therapies, and exercise are effective treatment options for major depression in older adults depending on severity and frailty.
Major depression in older adults is common and can be effectively treated with antidepressants and electroconvulsive therapy. Psychological therapies and exercise may also be effective for mild-moderate depression, for patients who prefer nonpharmacological treatment, or for patients who are too frail for drug treatments.
Kok et al. (Tue,) studied this question.