Depression is widely prevalent in nursing home residents. However, this population remain unobserved and undertreated. This pilot study explored the applicability and efficacy of a brief ACT-based protocol to three elderly residents, aged 65 to 83 years, diagnosed with dysthymic disorder and recurrent depressive disorder. Measures of psychological flexibility, value-consistent behaviour and depressive symptomatology were assessed. The results suggest that this brief ACT protocol produced significant increases on value-consistent behaviour in all subjects at 5 and 12 months follow-up. Clinical significant changes were also obtained in improvements in psychological flexibility, value-consistent behaviour and depressive symptomatology scores. This preliminary brief ACT protocol shows an important impact as a therapeutic tool in nursing home residents who present recurrent depressive symptoms. Further research is discussed.
