Motivationally-Enhanced Brief Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Mothers of Ill Children

Phase 4

Completed

• Conditions: Depression

• Registration Number: NCT00245193
• Lead Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh

Brief Summary

This study will investigate the effectiveness of motivationally-enhanced brief interpersonal psychotherapy (MI-IPT-B) in treating depression in mothers who bring their children to a child mental health clinic for psychiatric treatment.

Detailed Description

Depression is a serious illness and is common in mothers who have children facing an illness. Research has shown that these mothers, in particular, need better coping skills and ways to relieve depressive symptoms. Helping mothers of ill children achieve better mental health may also be beneficial to their children. Studies have shown that psychotherapy is an effective treatment for depression, and often results in long-term improvements in depressive symptoms. This study will investigate the effectiveness of MI-IPT-B in treating depression in mothers who bring their children to a child mental health clinic for psychiatric treatment.

Participants in this open label study will be randomly assigned to receive either MI-IPT-B or facilitated referral to treatment as usual (F-TAU). Participants in both groups will undergo the same screening procedures following assignment to an intervention. The MI-IPT-B group will also receive one session of motivational therapy at the time of the initial screening procedures. Participants assigned to receive MI-IPT-B will report to the study site once weekly for therapy. This type of therapy will focus on improving the participants' relationships with their peers and the way that they perceive themselves. The F-TAU group will receive a referral for standard mental health care within the community health system. Both treatments will last 8 weeks. All participants will return to the study site at Week 14 and Month 6 for follow-up assessments of depressive symptoms.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2003-04
• Study First Submitted: 2005-10-25
• Study First Submitted QC: 2005-10-25
• Study First Posted: 2005-10-27
• Study Completion: 2006-03
• Status Verified: 2013-06
• Last Update Submitted: 2013-06-21
• Last Update Posted: 2013-06-25

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 50

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

• Currently receiving antidepressant medication at sub-therapeutic doses or at therapeutic doses but for an inadequate period of time to assess response
• Current dose of medication has not been stable for at least 8 weeks prior to study enrollment
• Suicidal or homicidal
• Requires hospitalization
• At risk for child abuse or neglect and requires intervention
• Simultaneous psychotic disorder or organic mental disorder
• History of drug or alcohol abuse within 6 months of study enrollment
• History of a prior manic episode
• Significant medical illness that might explain depressive symptoms (e.g., epilepsy, autoimmune disorders, liver dysfunction, unstable endocrine disease)
• Not fluent in English
• Severe cognitive deficits that would interfere with psychotherapy treatment
• Currently receiving another form of individual psychotherapy or couples therapy (except for participation in a support group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous)

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Score on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression; measured at baseline, Week 14, and Month 6

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Score on the Beck Depression Inventory; measured at baseline, Week 14, and Month 6

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic; 🇺🇸 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States