PICO: “If older adults with depression participate in cognitive behavioral therapy, will they experience a reduction in their depressive symptoms rather than just receiving drug treatment? » Research Question or Hypothesis Older adults are a growing population and currently represent over 13% of the current population. “Unfortunately, depression affects more than 6.5 million of the 35 million Americans aged 65 or older” (Duckworth K., 2009). Depression in older people is directly correlated with disability (Duckworth K., 2009). “The risk of depression increases with age, so much so that 40% of those over 85 are affected” (Duckworth K., 2009). “Depression is a major health problem that affects many older people, causing significant distress and disability, exacerbating existing health problems and leading to earlier deaths and greater use of services” (Frazer, Christensen and Griffith , 2005). Depression in older adults differs from that in younger adults by different symptoms and bio-psycho-social factors. “Depression is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest” ( Mayo Clinic, 2014 ). “Different forms of depression range from major depression, major depressive disorder, or clinical depression. They affect the way you feel, think, and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems” (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Depression makes it difficult to participate in normal daily tasks or activities. According to the American Psychiatric Association, depressed mood and lack of interest are the two main symptoms of late life. Depression in older adults is directly correlated with the onset of chronic diseases such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, congestive heart failure, hypertension. ...... middle of paper ......KM (2005). Effectiveness of treatments for depression in older people. Med J Aust, 182(12), 627-32. Taylor, D., Meader, N., Bird, V., Pilling, S., Creed, F., and Goldberg, D. (2011). Pharmacological interventions for people with depression and chronic physical health problems: systematic review and meta-analyses of safety and effectiveness. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 198(3), 179-188. Omidi, A., Mohammadkhani, P., Mohammadi, A. and Zargar, F. (2013). Comparison of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy with usual treatments for symptom reduction in major depressive disorder. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, 15(2), 142. Mayo Clinic Staff (2014). Depression: definition of major depressive disorder taken from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/basics/definition/con-20032977