A Randomized Controlled Trial of In-Home Tele-Behavioral Health Care Utilizing Behavioral Activation for Depression

National Center for Telehealth and Technology

Status: Completed

Conditions: Depression

Treatments: Behavioral: Behavioral Activation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT01599585

W81XWH-11-2-0118 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based behavioral activation(BA) treatment for depression by comparing it to in-person BA treatment in Soldiers and Veterans with Major and Minor Depressive Disorder. We will test the hypothesis that 8 sessions of in-home BA delivered via a webcam will be as safe and effective in reducing symptoms of hopelessness and depression as in-person BA treatment for depression.

Enrollment: 121 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Current Major Depressive or Minor Depressive Disorder
• High-speed internet/network access at home (384kbs minimum)
• Informed consent
• Fluent in the English language

Exclusion criteria

• Currently undergoing psychotherapy for depression
• less than 18 or greater than 65 year of age
• Active psychotic symptoms/disorders as determined by the SCID for DSM-IV
• Dysthymic Disorder
• Current suicidal ideation with intent or recent (within six months) history of a suicide attempt
• History of Organic Mental Disorder
• Current substance dependence as determined by the SCID (lifetime substance dependence or substance abuse will not be excluded)
• History of violence or poor impulse control causing potential risk to staff or others
• Significant ongoing stressors that require urgent crisis intervention
• Having a living arrangement that will not permit the use of a private space to participate in the study

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

121 participants in 2 patient groups

In Home

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this condition will receive 8 sessions of BA treatment over the course of approximately 8 weeks (one session per week). The sessions will be conducted in their homes using an Army approved secure web-based video conferencing system. BA has been successfully delivered in this time frame, and it has been delivered via in-home video conferencing technology.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Behavioral Activation

In-Person

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this condition will receive 8 sessions of BA treatment over the course of approximately 8 weeks (one session per week with allowance for rescheduled sessions). The sessions will be conducted in a clinic setting at The National Center for Telehealth \& Technology.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Behavioral Activation