Pilot Study of a Behavioral Program for Depression in Skilled Nursing Facility Residents and Care Partners

NCT07891546 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2024P001945A
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 14
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to test a behavioral health program (Interventions for Stressful Transitions in Later Life, InSTILL) for skilled nursing facility residents and care partners. The main questions it aims to answer is whether the program is program is feasible, satisfactory, and helpful. Participants will join 8 bi-weekly sessions of the InSTILL program. Participants will complete assessments at three timepoints (all) and a brief-exit interview.

Conditions

Nursing Home Resident; Skilled Nursing Facility; Depression; Feasibility Studies; Caregiver

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• Mean Total Score Treatment Credibility

  2-item self-report measure of participant's belief regarding how helpful the intervention will be for them. Higher scores (min = 0, max = 4) scores indicate greater credibility.

  After session 1 of intervention (one week after baseline)

• Mean Total Score Client Satisfaction Questionnaire

  3-item self-report measure assessing patient satisfaction with the program. Higher total scores (min = 3, max = 12) indicate greater satisfaction.

  Post-intervention (week 6)

• Percentage of Eligible Participants Enrolled

  Percentage of eligible approached individuals that are enrolled into the study.

  Post-intervention (week 6)

• Percentage of Participants with Missing Data

  Percentage of all participants with no measure fully missing at follow-up.

  1-month follow-up (week 10)

• Attendance Rate

  Percentage of participants completing 6/8 sessions of the intervention.

  Post-intervention (week 6)

• Number of Adverse Events

  Number of adverse events related to participation in the study.

  1-month follow-up (week 10)

Secondary Outcomes (9)

• Patient Health Questionnaire-9

  pre-intervention (week 0); post-intervention (week 6); 1 month follow-up (week 10)

• Selection, Optimization, and Compensation (SOC) in Everyday Use

  pre-intervention (week 0); post-intervention (week 6); 1 month follow-up (week 10)

• PROMIS Short Form v1.0 - Self-Efficacy for Managing Emotions 4a

  pre-intervention (week 0); post-intervention (week 6); 1 month follow-up (week 10)

• PROMIS Global Mental Health-4

  pre-intervention (week 0); post-intervention (week 6); 1 month follow-up (week 10)

• Euro QoL-5D 5L

  pre-intervention (week 0); post-intervention (week 6); 1 month follow-up (week 10)

Study Arms (1)

InSTILL

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will participate in the Interventions for Stressful Transitions in Later Life (InSTILL), a behavioral health intervention tailored to the needs of short stay nursing facility residents and care partners. InSTILL includes 8 sessions (2x per week for about 4 weeks) delivered in person or remotely.

Behavioral: Interventions for Stressful Transitions in Later Life (InSTILL)

Interventions

Interventions for Stressful Transitions in Later Life (InSTILL) BEHAVIORAL

The Interventions for Stressful Transitions in Later Life (InSTILL) intervention is for skilled nursing facility residents experiencing elevated levels of psychological distress. The intervention is designed to improve life management skills and emotion regulation skill with the goal of reducing depression symptoms.

InSTILL

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Psychological distress, as indicated by a score Patient Health Questionnaire- 2 ≥ 1
• For residents, have a care partner who is willing to participate
• For care partner, identifies as care partner of eligible participant, as indicated by providing regular health-related, socioemotional, or practical support
• Aged ≥ 18 years
• Able and willing to participate in the study

You may not qualify if:

• For residents, intended length of SNF stay \< 7 days
• For residents, more than mild cognitive impairment, as indicted by Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) \<13
• For residents, participant's roommate is already enrolled in study/intervention
• High risk of suicide
• Participation in a newly initiated psychotherapy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Massachusetts General Hospital: lead
• National Institute on Aging (NIA): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depression

Interventions

Methods

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Investigative Techniques

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor of Psychology

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 5, 2026
• First Posted: October 23, 2026
• Study Start: February 5, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 11, 2025
• Study Completion: December 11, 2025
• Last Updated: October 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)