Background Relevant studies have shown that group cognitive behavioral therapy is effective in treating patients with depressive disorder, but the dropout rate is high. The present study is aimed to explore the patterns of integrated group psychotherapy.

Aims This study investigated the clinical effects of integrated group psychotherapy for elderly patients with senile depression.

Methods One hundred elderly patients with senile depression were divided into the experiment group (n=50) and the control group (n=50) randomly. The experiment group was given regular pharmacological treatments combined with integrated group psychotherapy, while the control group was given regular pharmacological treatments combined with integrated group cognitive behavioral therapy. These two groups were assessed with the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-24) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) before the study and at two weeks, four weeks and eight weeks after the treatments.

Results According to the comparisons within these two groups, it was found that the HAMD and GDS total scores before treatments were all significantly higher than those after treatments (F=102.50, p=0.001; F=55.94, p<0.001). We found that the HAMD total scores after four weeks and eight weeks were significantly different between the two groups (F=3.82, p=0.021). The differences between two groups’ GDS total scores after two weeks, four weeks and eight weeks were also significantly different (F=4.49, p=0.009). Seven cases dropped out in the experiment group, while sixteen cases dropped out in the control group. The difference of dropout rates was statistically significant (x²=4.57, p=0.032).

Conclusion Medication treatments combined with the group integrated psychotherapy significantly improve the clinical effect for elderly patients with senile depression. The compliance is improved and the dropout rate declines.