Contingency management is effective in promoting abstinence and retention in treatment among crack cocaine users with a previous history of poor treatment response: a crossover trial

Background: Crack use has become a severe health problem in Brazil. Contingency management has shown robust evidence of efficacy in the treatment of cocaine use disorder (CUD) in high-income countries; however, it is still unclear how this intervention can impact treatment in low-income countries. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of contingency management in the treatment of CUD among individuals with a previous history of poor treatment response in Brazil. Methods: Six months after the end of treatment, 32 participants previously allocated to the usual care condition (UCC) were invited to receive an additional 12 weeks of treatment in a contingency management condition (CMC), and 16 accepted the invitation. We compared data obtained from only the 16 participants (14 male) exposed to both treatment conditions. Results: Participants attended more treatment sessions and were retained in treatment for a longer period during the CMC than during the UCC (p < .01 for both). The proportion of negative cocaine samples submitted, the mean longest duration of cocaine abstinence, and the odds of being abstinent from cocaine during the 12 weeks of treatment were significantly higher during treatment in the CMC when compared to the UCC (p < .05). Conclusions: This study provides further evidence that contingency management is effective in promoting abstinence and retention in treatment among individuals with CUD with a history of poor treatment response. Our findings argue for the incorporation of CM among public treatment services for CUD in Brazil. Trial registration: This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT01815645 on March 21, 2013.

Effects of drug attitudes on treatment compliance and psychiatric symptoms of schizophrenia: an one year follow-up study / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objective To explore the effects of integrated treatment model (psychosocial interventions combined with drug therapy) in schizophrenia and analyze the influence of medication attitude on treatment compliance and psychiatric symptoms in different intervention models.Methods A total of 170 patients with schizophrenia were enrolled from 2012 to 2015.Patients were randomly divided into two groups:the integrated treatment group (86 patients) with drug therapy and psychosocial intervention,and the conventional drug treatment group (84 patients) with only drug intervention.Dug attitude inventory (DAI),self-awareness inventor (SAI),positive and negative symptoms scale (PANSS) were used to assess medication attitude,treatment compliance and clinical psychotic symptoms for all patients in the following 3 months,6 months and 12 months.Results Compared with medication-alone group,the integrated treatment group achieved significant improvement in psychiatric symptoms,including positive symptom and general psychopathology as well as significant reduction in scores in DAI and SAI (P＜0.05).In the conventional drug treatment group,the PANSS score was positively correlated with the increased score of DAI (β=0.31,P=0.02),which was mediated by the improvement in treatment adherence (β=0.18,P=0.18).There was no significant correlation between PANSS score and the increase score of DAI in the integrated treatment group(P=0.62).However,the increased score of SAI was positively correlated with the positive symptom of PANSS scale (r=0.31,P=0.01) and with the general psychiatric symptom scale (r=0.36,P＜0.01).Conclusion This study demonstrates that medication attitude can improve the treatment of mental symptoms by increasing compliance in the medication-only group.Symptom improvement is associated with improved compliance but not with medication attitudes in the integrated treatment model.

Korean Addiction Treatment Guidelines (III) : Psychosocial Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to develop guidelines for psychosocial treatment of alcohol use disorder. METHODS: According to the ADAPTE manual, the Korean alcohol use disorder treatment guidelines were developed by the guideline development committee. Recommendations from foreign guidelines were evaluated regarding the applicability and acceptability to domestic circumstances. In addition, a survey from experts was conducted, along with a review of Korean literature. By these means, recommendations of psychosocial treatment for alcohol use disorder were established. RESULTS: The main findings of the survey were as follows : 1) Although Group therapy was not recommended by foreign clinical guidelines, it was considered as a first-line treatment by Korean experts. 2) Among many psychosocial treatment programs, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), coping skills training, 12-step facilitation, and Group therapy were commonly used programs in Korea. Finally, the following treatment methods were selected for recommendations : Group therapy, motivational enhancement treatment, CBT, behavioral self-management, alcoholic anonymous, 12-step facilitation, psychodynamic psychotherapy, psychoeducational intervention, continuous case management, and community residential rehabilitation program. CONCLUSION: Just as in treatment of chronic diseases such as hypertension, continuity is important for management of alcohol use disorder. Therefore, not only pharmacological treatment but also psychosocial treatment should be provided comprehensively after treatment of acute withdrawal symptoms.

O processo de trabalho na supervisão clínico-institucional nos centros de atenção psicossocial (caps) / The process of working in clinical-institutional supervision at brazilian psychosocial treatment centers, referred to as caps / Le processus de travail de la supervision clinico-institutionnel des centres de soins psychosociaux - caps / El proceso de trabajo de la supervisión clínico-institucional en los centros de atención psicosocial - caps

O objetivo deste estudo é descrever e analisar o processo de trabalho dos supervisores clínico-institucionais dos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS) no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Trata-se de uma pesquisa exploratório-descritiva, com abordagem qualitativa. Os sujeitos foram dez supervisores, e a técnica de coleta de dados foi feita a partir de entrevistas semiestruturadas. Os dados foram submetidos à análise temática. Como resultados identificaram-se ferramentas utilizadas pelo supervisor como suporte para sua prática no processo de trabalho, destacando-se: o mapeamento do processo de trabalho no CAPS, a experiência profissional na clínica e na saúde pública, com ênfase no SUS, o uso da escuta e da palavra, e a construção coletiva dos casos clínicos.

The aim of this study is to describe and analyze the working process of clinical and institutional supervisors at Psychosocial Treatment Centers (CAPS) in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This is an exploratory and descriptive study based on a qualitative approach. The subjects were ten supervisors and the data was gathered through semi-structured interviews. The data was submitted to theme analysis. The results presented instruments used by supervisors as they carry out their work, such as mapping the working processes at the centers, as well as their clinical experience and broader professional experience in the Brazilian public health system, listening to patients as they talk, and the collective construction of clinical cases.

Le but de cet étude est de décrire et d'analyser le processus de travail des superviseurs clinico-institutionnels des Centres de Soins Psychosociaux (CAPS) du Rio Grande do Sul, Brésil. Il s'agit d'une recherche exploratoire et descriptive, d'approche qualitative. Les sujets étaient composés de dix superviseurs et les données ont été obtenues par moyen d'entretiens semi-directifs. Les données ont ensuite été soumises à une analyse thématique. Les résultats portaient sur les outils utilisés par les superviseurs comme support de travail aux Centres, soit: la cartographie du processus de travail aux Centres, l'expérience professionnelle acquise en clinique et dans le système de santé publique brésilien (SUS), l'usage de l'écoute et de la parole, ainsi que la construction collective des cas cliniques.

El objetivo de este estudio fue describir y analizar el proceso de trabajo de los supervisores clínico-institucionales de los Centros de Atención Psicosocial (CAPS) en Río Grande del Sur, Brasil. Se trata de una pesquisa de carácter exploratoria y descriptiva, con abordaje cualitativa. Los sujetos fueron diez supervisores, y la técnica de colecta de datos utilizada fueron entrevistas semi-estructuradas. Los datos fueron examinados por el método del análisis temático. Como resultados se identificaron herramientas utilizadas por el supervisor como soporte para su práctica en el proceso de trabajo, destacándose: el delineamiento del proceso de trabajo en el CAPS, la experiencia profesional en la clínica y en la salud pública con énfasis en el SUS, el uso de la escucha y de la palabra, y la construcción colectiva de casos clínicos.

Conocimientos, creencias y actitudes en padres mexicanos acerca del trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad (TDAH) / Knowledge and beliefs in Mexican parents about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) generates controversy among the general population on its diagnosis and treatment. This could be explained by the sparse level of education about mental health, which affects the parent's knowledge and beliefs about this disorder. ADHD is highly prevalent and 3-5% of school-age children can be diagnosed. In Mexico it represents 1.5 million cases. It represents more than 30% of all cases in clinical pediatric settings. The reports in health services have shown that the time gap between symptoms identification and treatment is around 8 to 15 years. Moreover, only 25% of the affected children's parents recognize conduct or emotional problems on them and 13% receive mental health care. Attention seeking has been associated with higher severity of the disorder and parent's superior educational level. Despite the advances in the research on neurobiology and psychopharmacology, understanding of the social context that surrounds the disorder is incomplete. Comparatively little is known regarding how parents conceive the symptoms and causes of ADHD and how these parental views may relate to children's treatment. Understanding these factors is important due to the central role of parents in selecting and accessing treatments and service providers for children with ADHD. For parents and children, getting information about ADHD is a lottery that depends on which professional they see and what they read or gather from television and the Internet. Mental health professionals most give complete information to parents and children, so risks and benefits of the different treatments may be considered along with the family's needs, values and cultural background. A better understanding about the parent's knowledge, beliefs and attitudes regarding ADHD would help to improve the communication mechanisms between mental health professionals and parents during the treatment. Objective To describe the knowledge, beliefs and attitudes regarding ADHD in Mexican parents. Methods The study was approved by the local investigation review board. Informed consent was obtained and parents of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD were recruited at four mental health facilities (three public and one private) in two cities. Each parent completed the questionnaire of knowledge and beliefs about ADHD (CASE ADHD, parent's version). The questionnaire was created for this study as an instrument with three versions: a) Parents, b) Teachers, c) Health professionals. Results of parent's version were included in this report. This questionnaire incorporates information of other instruments such as Barkley's Evaluation Questionnaire and the one used in the National Colombian Survey for the Consensus of treatment of ADHD 2008. CASE ADHD includes three parts: 1. An identification record with the mother's or father's general data, 2. The ADHD Rating Scale-IV, and 3. A 36 multiple choice questionnaire related to six main areas: a) The caretaker report of symptoms and clinical characteristics related with ADHD, b) The knowledge about ADHD, c) The pathways to care report, d) The Beliefs about ADHD treatment, e) The professional mental health's performance, and f) The parent's perceptions about ADHD. The questionnaire must be completed with the assistance of a mental health professional. The average application time is 30 minutes. For statistical analysis central tendency measures were used; as means, standard deviations and percentages. Results The total sample was integrated by 288 parents of children or adolescents. The 80.1% of the questionnaires were fulfilled by the mother. The mean age of those who answered was 40.06 years, 25.4% reported to complete professional studies. The mean age of patients was 11.15 years (SD = 3.54), 58% were children and 74% were male, their ADHDRS-IV average score was 27.5 (SD = 14.03). Knowledge about ADHD. The 85.4% (N = 246) of the surveyed sample considered ADHD as a disease and 8.3% as a rearing difficulty. The 69.2% (N = 198) of parents said they knew what is ADHD, but only 62.1% reported to receive information by the physician or psychologist about this condition. Attitudes about ADHD. When questioned about what would they do if they suspected that their child had ADHD, 35.1 % (N = 101) would consult a psychiatrist, 21.2% a psychologist, and 12.2% a neurologist or pediatric neurologist. The 28% of parents were deemed unable to manage their child's behavior problem. When we asked about who is able to diagnose ADHD, 49.5% answered that the psychologist, 48.5% the psychiatrist and 19.8% that the pediatrician. The psychiatrist was considered able to treat this condition by 45.8% of the sample followed by psychologist (19.8%), and neurologist (10.4%). Beliefs about diagnosis and treatment. Nearly 63% of the sample (N = 183) considered that the best treatment for ADHD was the combined treatment; 16.3% preferred the psychological approach and psychopharmacology was chosen by only 6.6%. Almost half (48.5%, N= 129) of the sample considered that drug treatment only supports the psychosocial treatment and does not have a therapeutic effect by itself, 46.2% (N = 133) of the sample believed that <

Introducción A pesar de la evidencia científica acerca de las características neurobiológicas del Trastorno por Déficit de Atención e Hiperactividad (TDAH) que apoya el uso de medicamentos para su tratamiento, este padecimiento sigue generando controversia con respecto a su existencia, su persistencia a lo largo de la vida y su tratamiento óptimo. La prevalencia del TDAH a nivel mundial es alta. Los estudios epidemiológicos muestran que 3 a 5% de los niños en edad escolar pueden recibir este diagnóstico. En México se estima que hay aproximadamente 33 millones de niños y adolescentes, de los cuales 1.5 millones podrían ser diagnosticados con TDAH. En el contexto clínico, al menos 30% de los pacientes que acuden a valoración de primera vez en los servicios de psiquiatría infantil presentan problemas de inatención, hiperactividad o impulsividad. Algunos estudios epidemiológicos han mostrado que sólo el 25% de los padres de sujetos con síntomas de trastornos de conducta o del afecto consideraban que sus hijos necesitaban atención médica, y de ellos, el 13% acudió a los servicios de salud mental. La búsqueda de atención especializada se ha asociado con una mayor intensidad del trastorno y un mayor nivel educativo de los padres. Diversas publicaciones relacionadas con el tratamiento del TDAH a lo largo de la vida resaltan la importancia de la intervención multimodal, es decir, un tratamiento multidisciplinario que va más acorde al modelo biopsicosocial el cual, a su vez, se encuentra relacionado con los factores etiológicos y de pronóstico a mediano y largo plazo en el TDAH. En diversos estudios se ha subrayado la importancia de brindar educación adecuada sobre el trastorno y su tratamiento. También sugieren que un mejor entendimiento acerca de las creencias y conocimientos de los padres de niños y adolescentes con TDAH ayudará a mejorar los mecanismos de comunicación, atención y colaboración entre los distintos elementos participantes en el tratamiento del TDAH y reducirá el tiempo entre la identificación del problema y el inicio del tratamiento. Objetivo Describir los conocimientos, las creencias y actitudes de los padres de niños y adolescentes con TDAH acerca de la naturaleza de la enfermedad, la conducta en la búsqueda de atención médica y su tratamiento. Material y métodos La muestra fue conformada por padres de niños y adolescentes que habían recibido el diagnóstico de TDAH por un clínico calificado. Participaron cuatro centros de atención psiquiátrica, tres en la Ciudad de México y otro en la ciudad de San Luis Potosí. El instrumento principal (CASO ADH padres) es un cuestionario autoaplicable y fue escrito específicamente para este estudio. CASO ADHD es un instrumento con tres versiones: a) Padres, b) Maestros y c) Profesionales de la salud. En este estudio se exponen los resultados de la primera versión. Resultados La muestra total se conformó de 288 padres. El 69.2% dijo saber qué es el TDAH, 85.4% consideró al TDAH como una enfermedad y el 8.3% como una dificultad de la crianza; el resto lo consideró un mito, una moda, un invento de la industria farmacéutica o no existente. Alrededor del 63% de la muestra consideró que el mejor tratamiento para el TDAH sería el tratamiento combinado, el 16.3% prefirió el enfoque psicológico y sólo 6.6% eligió la psicofarmacología. Casi la mitad de la muestra, 48.5%, consideró que el tratamiento farmacológico solamente apoya al tratamiento psicosocial. La mayoría de los padres (60%) identificaron los síntomas de sus hijos en su propia conducta durante los años escolares. Conclusiones Es importante mejorar la cantidad y la calidad de educación acerca del TDAH y su tratamiento entre los padres de los pacientes, para que sus decisiones terapéuticas sean más informadas y tengan mejor efecto sobre el pronóstico del paciente.

Atendimento a mães de vítimas de abuso sexual e abusadores: considerações teóricas e práticas / Treatment of mothers of sexual abuse victims and abusers: theoretical and practical considerations

O objetivo deste artigo foi levantar informações sobre o atendimento psicológico prestado às mães de crianças e adolescentes vítimas de abuso sexual, bem como aos autores dessa violência. A literatura mostra a importância de incluir familiares não abusivos no tratamento da vítima, tendo em vista seu envolvimento na situação. Além disso, aponta que a discussão sobre o atendimento psicológico aos perpetradores também é necessário para que se possa intervir no ciclo da violência, prevenindo novas vítimas. Por fim, são discutidos os sentimentos de mães e perpetradores frente à revelação do abuso, objetivos do tratamento em cada caso e os aspectos psicológicos relacionados. São também apresentados alguns estudos nacionais e internacionais sobre experiências de tratamentos e algumas dificuldades práticas para o andamento dos tratamentos e para se realizar estudos sobre essa temática, sobretudo no Brasil.

The aim of this article was to gather information about the psychological care provided to mothers of children and adolescent victims of sexual abuse and the perpetrators of such violence. The literature demonstrates the importance of including non abusive relatives in the treatment of victims, due to their involvement with the situation. Discussing psychological support to the perpetrators is also necessary to intervene in the cycle of violence, preventing new victims. The paper focuses on the feelings of mothers and perpetrators at the moment of the abuse disclosure, the goals of the provided care in each case, and related psychological aspects. It also presents some national and international studies that report the experiences of these processes. Some practical barriers in the progress of the psychological care, as well as the difficulties of conducting studies on this topic, especially in Brazil, are reported.

Psychosocial treatment of psychiatric disorders of the elderly

Interest in psychosocial treatment as non-pharmacologic treatment in the elderly has been increasing, and this treatment has became an important therapeutic approach for the following common psychiatric disorders: depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, some psychological conditions, and some cognitive disorders. Some examples of the psychosocial treatments frequently used with older people with psychiatric disorders are cognitive behavior therapy, interpersonal therapy, individual psychotherapy, reality orientation, validation therapy, reminiscence therapy, and cognitive training. Those treatment options should be used carefully in light of individual needs and optimal objectives for the elderly and their caregivers. It is crucial for the clinician to understand the characteristics and clinical applications of each psychosocial treatment for the elderly in particular. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of old and new psychosocial treatment modalities for older people with psychiatric disorders. Psychosocial treatments are very important with or without pharmacological treatment in the elderly with psychiatric problems. Clinician should become familiar with various psychosocial treatments.

Hogar infantil de tratamiento para niños con trastornos de conducta leves a moderados / Foster home for children with mild and moderate behavioral problems

Se presenta el modo de trabajo llevado a cabo desde hace diez años en un hogar para niños (varones) con trastornos de conducta leves a moderados que presentan diferentes trastornos mentales graves. Un denominador común es la presencia de familias disfuncionales, ausentes o expulsivas, en las que se registran altos niveles de violencia ejercida sobre estos niños. Se describe someramente el abordaje utilizado y se ilustra con una viñeta clínica.

A methodology for working with children and adolescents with disruptive behavior is presented. This program has been in use since 1998 in a boarding home for boys in Buenos Aires. A common issue in this sample is the presence of non-functional families with high levels of violence between their members.

A transferência como articuladora entre a clínica e a política nos serviços de atenção psicossocial / La transferencia como articuladora de la clínica y la política en los servicios de atención psicosocial / Le transfèrement comme articulateur entre la clinique et la politique dans les services d'attention psychosocial / Transference as articulator between the clinic and the policies at psychosocial treatment centers

Este trabalho visa analisar as questões que surgiram no cotidiano de serviços de atenção psicossocial, evidenciando a importância do manejo da relação entre técnicos, usuários e familiares na efetivação da clínica oferecida. A partir de exemplos clínicos e utilizando o conceito de transferência como contribuição da clínica psicanalítica à clínica ampliada, propõe-se a inclusão do sujeito do inconsciente como fundamental ao processo de Reforma Psiquiátrica, já que este sujeito, que difere do cidadão de direitos, é radicalmente responsável por sua posição.

Este trabajo tiene por finalidad analizar las cuestiones emergidas del cotidiano de los servicios de atención psicosocial poniendo en evidencia la importancia del manejo de la relación entre técnicos, pacientes y familiares para hacer efectiva la clínica ofrecida. Partiendo de ejemplos clínicos y utilizando el concepto de transferencia como contribución de la clínica psicoanalítica a la clínica ampliada, se propone la inclusión del sujeto del inconsciente como fundamental para el desarrollo de la Reforma Psiquiátrica, ya que ese sujeto, diferente del ciudadano de derechos, es radicalmente responsable por su posición.

Ce travail vise à analyser les questions qui surgissent dans le quotidien des services d'attention psychosocial en démontrant l'importance du maniement du rapport entre les techniciens, les utilisateurs et les membres de la famille dans l'effectuation de la clinique offerte. À partir d'exemples cliniques et en utilisant le concept de transfèrement comme contribution de la clinique psychanalytique à la clinique élargie, on propose l'inclusion du sujet de l'inconscient comme élément fondamental de la Réforme Psychiatrique, étant donné que ce sujet, qui diffère du citoyen de droits, est radicalement responsable de sa position.

This article consists of an analysis of questions that come up in the work at a public psychosocial treatment center, and emphasizes the important issue of how to handle the relationships of technicians with users and families in establishing clinical programs for patients. The text is based on clinical examples and on the concept of transference as a contribution of psychoanalytical clinic to extended clinic. The author shows the importance of including the subject of the unconscious into the process of the reform of psychiatry in Brazil, since this subject, which differs from the concept of a subject as a citizen of rights, is fully responsible for its own position.

The History and Achievement of Psychosocial Treatment for Patients with Schizophrenia / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: Psychosocial treatment combined with pharmacological treatment has been established as one of the most important interventions for schizophrenia. However, it still does not show Editor's note: I was not certain whether you intended the highlighted text to convey "psychosocial treatment + pharmacological treatment is an important treatment" or "psychosocial treatment is an important treatment, and pharmacological treatment is also an important treatment." My edit reflects the former. If you actually intended the latter meaning, please change this sentence to read, "Psychosocial treatment has been established alongside pharmacological treatment as one of the most important interventions for schizophrenia." satisfactory results with regard to patients' social adjustment and independent living abilities. For this study, we reviewed the psychosocial treatment of schizophrenia: its therapeutic concepts, methods, effects of clinical application, and therapeutic limitations. METHODS: We searched four areas of the English website Pubmed: family therapy, social skills training, cognitive remediation, and vocational rehabilitation, which are the main psychosocial treatment areas for schizophrenia. RESULTS: Family therapy can reduce the relapse rate through psychoeducation, stress management, and behavioral intervention for family members when the therapy lasts longer than 9 months. This effect seems to last longer than 2 years. Social skills training allows patients to acquire specific skills but shows a relatively small effect on symptom improvement and relapse prevention. However, it is possible that social skills training has a lasting or generalized effect on the obtained skills if practiced long term (longer than 1 year). Basic neurocognitive function training shows a relatively small effect on social functioning, while additive and comprehensive social interventions, such as social cognition, social skill training, and context appraisal show a moderate effect on patients' social functioning. The success of vocational adjustment is related to premorbid functioning, negative symptoms, and cognitive functioning, and direct expert support can help patients' vocational functioning in the workplace. CONCLUSION: The psychosocial treatment of schizophrenia has many important achievements during the past 30 years. However, several limitations of each type of psychosocial therapy have been ascertained during this same period. Researchers in the field of psychosocial treatment for schizophrenia have recently been trying to find more efficient treatments, by correcting distortions of social cognition, combining various treatment modules, and attempting new therapeutic approaches to psychosocial treatment.

Recent Psychosocial Therapeutic Approach on Alcohol Dependence / 신경정신의학

Alcohol use disorder is a one of major psychiatric problems in Korea. But after detoxification treatment, relapse is very frequent. Psychosocial therapy is a crucial element in alcoholism treatment and prognosis. There are so many psychosocial treatment modalities. In this article, various psychosocial treatments are explained. The main lists of introduced recent psychosocial treatments on alcoholism are as follows: therapeutic community, cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivation enhancement therapy, twelve step facilitation therapy, network therapy, and other community-based treatment. In Korea, in contrast to the importance of huge alcoholic problems, comprehensive alcoholism treatment system is weak. Therefore well-modified and Korean styled psychosocial treatment programs on alcoholism is requested.

Therapeutic Effects of Psychosocial Programs in the Day Care Service on Cognitive Impairment and Depressive Symptoms in the Elderly Patients / 신경정신의학

Cognitive impairment and depression are the most common symptoms affecting the elderly on physical and mental states. Studies have shown that these symptoms in mild cases are improved by psychosocial intervention, emphasizing the importance of therapeutic intervention provided in the community. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the psychosocial program at a geriatric day care service has any therapeutic effect on the cognitive function and depressive symptoms in the elderly and whether such effect can be maintained. The experimental group was composed of 37 elderly patients attending the day care service at the mental health center located in Kwangju county, Kyonggi province. The control group was composed of 22 elderly patients who either refused intervention or who dropped out of the program. Cognitive function was assessed with the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Exam(MMSE-K) and depressive symptoms were assessed with the Short-form Geriatric Depression Scale(SGDS) The experimental group and the control group were compared on the score of on each test, which was administered before and after the program and 10 weeks after discontinuation of program. In the experimental group, the scores acquired immediately after the program and at 10 weeks of follow-up were also compared. The results showed that psychosocial intervention at a geriatric day care service was significantly associated with the change in SGDS scores dependent on time but not significantly associated with the change in MMSE-K scores. In the experimental group whose follow-up assessment was possible, it was further shown that 43% of patients had increased SGDS scores 10 weeks after the program ended, indicating that depressive symptoms had worsened. This study suggests that psychosocial therapeutic intervention in the geriatric day care service improve depressive symptoms but not cognitive functions in the elderly. In addition, for a considerable percentage of subjects in the experimental group, the improvements in depressive symptoms were not sustained after the intervention was withdrawn. These findings proposes a need of strengthening therapeutic intervention to maintain such effect.