Internet Delivered Psychotherapy for Older Adults

NCT05739370 | Unknown

• 1 other identifier: REB21-1012
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 13
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this mixed-methods, single-arm intervention study is to develop and evaluate a new internet-delivered psychotherapy option called Ger-iPST in older adults with symptoms of depression. The overall aim of this project is to improve access to psychotherapy for older adults by developing, adapting and implementing a new internet-based treatment option, Ger-iPST. Towards this aim, our objectives are to:

1. 1.Examine the preliminary effectiveness of Ger-iPST for symptoms of depression.
2. 2.Examine barriers and facilitators to the use of Ger-iPST.

Conditions

Depression in Old Age; Depression, Anxiety

Keywords

Online Psychotherapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Measure the effectiveness for symptoms of depression in older adults.

  The outcome measures the change in depressive symptoms based on the PHQ-9 score,The 9-items on the PHQ-9 reflect DSM-V diagnostic criteria and are rated from 0 (''not at all") to 3 ("nearly every day") based on self-reported symptoms in the preceding 2-weeks. Scores \>5, 10, and 15 indicate mild, moderate, and severe depression symptoms, respectively. The PHQ-9 has been validated for use with older adults in primary care and those with chronic medical illnesses, is relatively brief, and is responsive to change.

  Baseline, mid-point (4-weeks) and after completing the program (8-weeks).

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Examine implementation outcomes - Anxiety symptoms.

  8 weeks via OPTT.

• Examine implementation outcomes - Disability Assessment.

  8 weeks via OPTT.

• Examine implementation outcomes - Quality of life.

  8 weeks via OPTT.

• Examine implementation outcomes - Usability.

  8 weeks via OPTT.

• Explore barriers and facilitators experienced with implementation.

  8 weeks

Study Arms (1)

Ger-iPST

EXPERIMENTAL

Prospective participants will be contacted by telephone to confirm eligibility, explain the study protocol, and obtain informed consent. An in-person or videoconference assessment will be used to administer baseline PHQ-9 to confirm enrolment criteria and will be asked questionnaire to gather demographic information. Participants will then be provided with an email link to access the Online Psycho Therapy Tool (OPTT). PHQ-9 will be collected again at the mid-point (4 weeks) and after completing the program through OPTT. Caregivers will be invited to assist the participant if required in completing Ger-iPST modules, and weekly telephone support calls by a research assistant will be provided to assist with any difficulty navigating technical aspects of the Ger-iPST platform.

Other: Problem-Solving Therapy for Older Adults

Interventions

Problem-Solving Therapy for Older Adults OTHER

Problem-Solving Therapy for Older Adults (Ger-iPST) is an 8-week online psychotherapy program with online therapist support delivered through the Online Psycho Therapy Tool (OPTT). Ger-iPST has several evidence-based elements tailored to the specific needs of older adults, including relevant content (e.g. aging-related examples); process adaptations (e.g. more repetition); and digital usability modifications (e.g. high-contrast text). Ger-iPST contains therapy modules assigned weekly and accessible at any time during the week. Modules begin with a brief, guided mindfulness relaxation exercise, followed by approximately 20 slides taking, on an average 1 hour to complete. Each module highlights a different step of Psychotherapy (PST) and includes an overview of a new skill, interactive activities and examples. A homework exercise designed to guide participants in applying a new PST skill exercise is submitted through the platform, and a clinician will provide personalized feedback.

Also known as: Ger-iPST

Ger-iPST

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Individuals who are 65 years or older
• Presenting with a primary complaint of depression and a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 score \> 5
• English Speaking
• Residents of Alberta
• Have internet access

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals with acute safety concerns (e.g.suicidal ideation), psychotic symptoms, moderate cognitive impairment (Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA) \< 21) or currently receiving psychotherapy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Calgary: lead
• Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary

Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depression; Anxiety Disorders

Interventions

Aging

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Mental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Growth and Development; Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

• Julia Kirkham, MD

  University of Calgary

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Julia Kirkham, MD

CONTACT

403 955 6155; geripst@ucalgary.ca

Lynn Tan, BSc

CONTACT

geripst@ucalgary.ca

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 9, 2023
• First Posted: February 22, 2023
• Study Start: January 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: December 31, 2024
• Study Completion: December 1, 2025
• Last Updated: April 9, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)