NCT06415838

Behavioral Activation for the Prevention and Treatment of Depression in Older Adults in a Municipal Context

Behavioral Activation for the Prevention and Treatment of Depression in Older Adults in a Municipal Context: a Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 160 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Sormland County Council, Sweden · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to investigate if a brief psychological treatment called Behavioral Activation (BA) works to prevent and treat depression in older adults in a municipal context in Sweden. It will also learn about the patients' and therapists' experiences of the BA-treatment. The main questions it aims to answer are if the BA-treatment has an effect on the short and long term on: * Depressive symptoms * Anxiety symptoms * Self-rated activation * Functional ability * Loneliness * Self efficacy * Mental wellbeing * Quality of life * Need for community care services All participants will continue their care as usual (CAU), and half of the participants will be randomized to receive a five-session BA-treatment spread over two months as an add-on to CAU. All participants will answer a questionnaire in the beginning of the study, after two months, and after 3-, 6- and 12 months.

Detailed description

One third of the Swedish population aged 70 years and above report depressive symptoms, and between 5 - 15% have a major depressive disorder. Depression in older adults reduces quality of life and functional ability, and is associated with an increased risk for morbidity and mortality. Psychological treatment is considered a first-line treatment for depression, but is currently only offered to about 3% of older adults with depression in Sweden. A majority of older adults suffering from depression in Sweden are likely not to be identified and diagnosed, and thereby not treated for their depression. Furthermore, many older adults receive municipal care, and psychological treatment is currently not available in this context. The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to investigate if a brief psychological treatment called Behavioral Activation (BA) works to prevent and treat depression in older adults in a municipal context in Sweden. It will also learn about the patients' and therapists' experiences of the BA-treatment. The therapists in the trial are social workers working in Eskilstuna municipality in Sweden. All participants will continue their care as usual (CAU), and half of the participants will be randomized to receive a five-session BA-treatment spread over two months as an add-on to CAU. The BA-treatment will be delivered in the participants' home. All participants will answer a questionnaire in the beginning of the study, after two months, and after 3-, 6- and 12 months. The main questions that the trial aims to answer are if the BA-treatment has an effect on the short and long term on: * Depressive symptoms * Anxiety symptoms * Self-rated activation * Functional ability * Loneliness * Self efficacy * Mental wellbeing * Quality of life * Need for community care services

Conditions

• Depression
• Depressive Symptoms

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Brief Behavioral Activation	A five-session brief behavioral activation treatment delivered face-to-face in the participants' home. Session outline: Session 1: Psychoeducation about depression; treatment rationale for Behavioral Activation (BA); rationale and instructions for activity log Session 2: Discussion of life goals and values; planning of activities aligned with life goals and values for coming week Session 3: Troubleshooting any problems carrying out activities; planning activities aligned with life goals and values for coming week. Session 4: Troubleshooting any problems carrying out activities; planning activities aligned with life goals and values for the coming week; instructing the participant to independently continue to plan activities for the coming month. Session 5: Troubleshooting any problems carrying out activities; reviewing treatment; stressing the importance of continuing to engage in activities aligned with life goals and values; creating a maintenance plan.
OTHER	Care as Usual	Care as Usual provided by primary care and/or municipal care.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-06-27
• Primary completion: 2025-12-01
• Completion: 2026-08-01
• First posted: 2024-05-16
• Last updated: 2024-12-16

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Sweden