Effectiveness of Talk Therapy Intervention on Depression and Low Self-Esteem of Retired Medical Practitioners Suffering from Dementia

Abstract

Background
This study investigated the effectiveness of talk therapy intervention on depression and low self-esteem. Dementia is degeneration and weakening of brain cells that affects one’s overall wellbeing. People affected by dementia tend to feel depressed and lose interest in activities they previously enjoyed.
Objective
The aim of this research study was to intervene and rejuvenate Retired Medical Practitioners affected by Low-Self-Esteem and Depression due to Dementia. Talk therapy was adopted as an intervention strategy to treat 197 participants. Data was collected on participants’ depression, self-esteem and dementia levels before and after the intervention exercise.
Methods
The study adopted a randomized pre-test, post-test and control group design to investigate the effectiveness of Talk Therapy intervention strategy in treating depression and low self-esteem caused by dementia. The data obtained with the questionnaires were analyzed using the mean, standard deviation, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).

Results
The post-test results from the experimental group revealed that talk therapy was efficient in reducing the depression level and boosting the self-esteem (SE) of the respondents. The posttest result from the experimental group also depicted that the participants’ dementia level was significantly reduced with the help of the talk therapy intervention; as the subjects began to recall past events faster and better.
Conclusions Talk therapy (TT) is an appropriate and efficient intervention to improve self-esteem and reduce depression among the participants. TT intervention has the potentials of helping the participants remember past events faster than before the intervention.