NCT00052091

Brief Summary

This study will compare the effectiveness of Problem Solving Therapy and Brief Supportive Therapy in treating elderly patients with major depression and thought problems.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
221

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for phase_3 depression

Timeline
Completed

Started Sep 2002

Longer than P75 for phase_3 depression

Geographic Reach
1 country

2 active sites

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

September 1, 2002

Completed
5 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 22, 2003

Completed
1 day until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

January 23, 2003

Completed
5.1 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

March 1, 2008

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

March 1, 2008

Completed
Last Updated

January 29, 2018

Status Verified

January 1, 2018

Enrollment Period

5.5 years

First QC Date

January 22, 2003

Last Update Submit

January 25, 2018

Conditions

DepressionCognition Disorders

Keywords

Geriatrics

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression

    Measured at screening, weeks 1 through 12, and week 36

Study Arms (2)

1 Problem Solving Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

12 weekly sessions of problem solving therapy (PST)

Behavioral: Problem Solving Therapy

2 Brief Supportive Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

12 weekly sessions of brief supportive therapy (BST)

Behavioral: Brief Supportive Therapy

Interventions

Problem Solving TherapyBEHAVIORAL

A 12 week cognitive behavioral intervention for depression that teaches patients a structured approach to solving social problems.

1 Problem Solving Therapy
Brief Supportive TherapyBEHAVIORAL

A 12 week intervention for depression that focuses on supporting patients attempts to cope with depression.

2 Brief Supportive Therapy

Eligibility Criteria

Age60 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Nonpsychotic, unipolar major depression
  • Cognitive impairment
  • English speaking

You may not qualify if:

  • High suicide risk
  • Dementia
  • Acute or severe medical illness
  • Current psychotherapy

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (2)

University of California at San Francisco

San Francisco, California, 94143, United States

Location

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

White Plains, New York, 10605, United States

Location

Related Publications (6)

  • Arean PA, Raue P, Mackin RS, Kanellopoulos D, McCulloch C, Alexopoulos GS. Problem-solving therapy and supportive therapy in older adults with major depression and executive dysfunction. Am J Psychiatry. 2010 Nov;167(11):1391-8. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2010.09091327. Epub 2010 Jun 1.

    PMID: 20516155RESULT

  • Alexopoulos GS, Raue PJ, Kiosses DN, Mackin RS, Kanellopoulos D, McCulloch C, Arean PA. Problem-solving therapy and supportive therapy in older adults with major depression and executive dysfunction: effect on disability. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2011 Jan;68(1):33-41. doi: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.177.

    PMID: 21199963RESULT

  • Solomonov N, Kerchner D, Bein O, Lee CE, Diaz JL, Ciarleglio A, Kim S, Sirey JA, Gunning FM, Raue PJ, Banerjee S, Arean PA, Alexopoulos GS. Precision Assignment to Psychosocial Interventions for Late-Life Depression: An Automated Treatment Decision Rule. JAMA Psychiatry. 2025 Nov 1;82(11):1075-1084. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2025.2518.

    PMID: 40960814DERIVED

  • Alexopoulos GS, O'Neil R, Banerjee S, Raue PJ, Victoria LW, Bress JN, Pollari C, Arean PA. "Engage" therapy: Prediction of change of late-life major depression. J Affect Disord. 2017 Oct 15;221:192-197. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.06.037. Epub 2017 Jun 19.

    PMID: 28647669DERIVED

  • Gustavson KA, Alexopoulos GS, Niu GC, McCulloch C, Meade T, Arean PA. Problem-Solving Therapy Reduces Suicidal Ideation In Depressed Older Adults with Executive Dysfunction. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2016 Jan;24(1):11-17. doi: 10.1016/j.jagp.2015.07.010. Epub 2015 Jul 30.

    PMID: 26743100DERIVED

  • Alexopoulos GS, Raue PJ, Kiosses DN, Seirup JK, Banerjee S, Arean PA. Comparing engage with PST in late-life major depression: a preliminary report. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2015 May;23(5):506-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jagp.2014.06.008. Epub 2014 Jun 26.

    PMID: 25081818DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

DepressionCognition Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral SymptomsBehaviorNeurocognitive DisordersMental Disorders

Study Officials

  • Patricia A. Arean, PhD

    University of California at San Francisco

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 3
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 22, 2003

First Posted

January 23, 2003

Study Start

September 1, 2002

Primary Completion

March 1, 2008

Study Completion

March 1, 2008

Last Updated

January 29, 2018

Record last verified: 2018-01

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will share

Locations

US(2)