A nurse-led positive psychological intervention among elderly community-dwelling adults with mild cognitive impairment and depression: A non-randomized controlled trial

Background: Older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and depression have a higher dementia conversion rate, which requires timely intervention. Objectives: A non-randomized controlled trial was conducted to explore the effect of a nurse-led positive psychological intervention (PPI) in relieving depression and promoting cognition in this population. Methods: A total of 70 older adults were enrolled, with 35 each in the intervention and control groups. The control group received one-to-one health education, and the intervention group received a 40- to 60-minute PPI for eight successive weeks. Results: During the intervention, most participants reached the standard of active participation, and 2.86% continued to complete homework every day during follow-up. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group at the end of intervention (t = -3.64, p < 0.05) and at 3-month follow-up (t = -4.48, p < 0.05). Interaction effects of time and group on PHQ-9 scores (F = 8.11, p < 0.001), with significant differences between the groups in scores (F = 9.11, p < 0.05) and times (F = 23.58, p < 0.05) was observed. In the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale, the intervention group had significantly higher scores than controls at the end of intervention (t = 7.28, p < 0.05) and 3-month follow-up (t = 8.01, p < 0.05). Cognition in the two groups was significantly affected by intergroup effects (F = 42.80, p < 0.001), interaction effects (F = 30.38, p < 0.001), and time effects (F = 33.67, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Although the effects tended to decrease in follow-up, the nurse-led PPI was feasible and valid in relieving depression and promoting cognition among older participants with MCI and depression. The present findings warrant further exploration. Tweetable abstract: A nurse-led positive psychological intervention was applicable among elderly MCI adults with depression and effective in relieving depression and promoting cognition.