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

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Undiagnosed Psychological Problems
• Interventions: Behavioral: problem-solving therapy; Behavioral: Video-viewing

• Registration Number: NCT00863031
• Lead Sponsor: The University of Hong Kong

Brief Summary

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.

Detailed Description

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.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2002-11
• Primary Completion: 2005-12
• Study Completion: 2006-06
• Status Verified: 2009-03
• Study First Submitted: 2009-03-15
• Study First Submitted QC: 2009-03-16
• Last Update Submitted: 2009-03-16
• Study First Posted: 2009-03-17
• Last Update Posted: 2009-03-17

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 299

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.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
problem-solving therapy	problem-solving therapy	Three sessions of brief problem-solving counselling at week 1, 3 and 5 by a family doctor.
viewing video	Video-viewing	Three sessions of health education viewing video in groups of 3 to 5 people

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Health-related quality of life scores	6, 12, 26 and 52 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Hospital Anxiety & Depression Scale scores	6, 12, 26 and 52 weeks

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Two General Outpatient Clinics; 🇭🇰 Hong Kong, Hong Kong