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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00863031

A Trial on the Effectiveness of Screening and Brief Problem-Solving Therapy (PST) for Elderly Patients With Psychological Problems

The aim of this study was to determine whether screening followed by brief PSC provided by primary care doctors could improve the quality of life of elderly patients with unrecognized psychological problems in primary care. The following hypotheses were tested:

1. Elderly patients screened positive of psychological problems had poorer health-related quality of life (HRQOL) than those who were screened negative. 2. Primary care doctors could be trained to provide brief PST. 3. Brief PST by a trained primary care doctor could improve the HRQOL of the elderly who were screened positive for psychological problems.

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Key information

Conditions

Undiagnosed Psychological Problems Behavior Personal Satisfaction Psychological Well-Being

Age range

60 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Two General Outpatient Clinics

Hong Kong

About this study

Design & methods: A prospective single-blind randomised controlled trial (RCT) on 299 patients aged 60 or above without any known psychological diseases but screened positive for psychological problems by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Subjects were randomised to problem-solving (PST) or video-viewing (placebo). All subjects continued with their usual care and were followed up by telephone at 6, 12, 26 and 52 weeks.Changes in SF-36 HRQOL scores, HADS scores and monthly consultation rates at 6, 12, 26 and 52 weeks within groups and between groups.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 60 or above
  • not known to have any psychological problem
  • HADS Depression score 6 or above, or Anxiety Score 3 or above
  • Written consent to study

Exclusion criteria

  • known psychological disease diagnosed by a registered doctor
  • history of taking any psychotropic drug prescribed by a registered doctor within the last year;
  • suicidal plan or strong suicidal thought;
  • psychotic symptom;
  • impairment in cognitive function; or
  • communication problem.

Treatment and study plan

Problem-Solving Therapy

Behavioral

Three sessions of problem-solving therapy at week 1, 3 and 5.

Video-viewing

Behavioral

Three sessions of viewing health educational videos.

Primary outcomes

  1. Health-related quality of life scores

    Time frame: 6, 12, 26 and 52 weeks

Secondary outcomes

  1. Hospital Anxiety & Depression Scale scores

    Time frame: 6, 12, 26 and 52 weeks

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The University of Hong Kong

Other

Collaborators

  • Health Care and Promotion Fund, Government of the Hong Kong SAR

Registry information

Official study title

A Randomised Controlled Trail on the Effectiveness of Screening and Brief Counselling (Problem-Solving Therapy) for Elderly Patients With Psychological Problems in Primary Care.

Important dates

Study start
2002
Primary completion
2005
Study completion
2006
First posted
Mar 17, 2009
Registry last updated
Mar 17, 2009

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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