Randomized-controlled Trial of Aftercare-Coordination by Phone for Depression and Anxiety

Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf

Status: Completed

Conditions: Depression, Anxiety

Treatments: Behavioral: Phone-based Aftercare-Coordination

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02044913

0421-FSCP-Z202 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The primary objective of this study is to test in a randomized controlled trial if aftercare-coordination by phone subsequent to inpatient treatment is an effective aftercare approach in the treatment of depression and anxiety.

Full description

Depression and anxiety are among the most prevalent mental health problems and are associated with a high risk of chronification. Despite the large capacities in the German health care system only a small percentage of these patients receive treatment. Relevant barriers on the pathways of patients are communication und coordination difficulties between different services and providers.The aftercare subsequent to an inpatient treatment represents one of these interfaces. Here the aim is to consolidate the treatment outcomes and to minimize the so called rebound-effect, the reduction of the positive treatment effects after the inpatient treatment. Although evidence-based treatments for depression and anxiety disorders exist, treatment effects often decrease after treatment due to the lack of an integration of different steps in care. The method of a case management-based aftercare coordination by phone could be a promising approach to overcome the interface between inpatient treatment and aftercare: case management is a patient-centered and situation-based approach which comprises systematic tracking and support of patients by a case-manager. Primary goal is to coordinate and integrate services across treatment settings. This approach can help to maintain and even improve longterm treatment outcomes.

Enrollment: 218 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Depressive disorder (F32.x; F33.x; F34.1) and/or Anxiety disorder (F40.0; F40.1, F41.0; F41.1) according to ICD-10

Exclusion criteria

• Concurrent outpatient psychotherapeutic treatment which will be continued after the inpatient rehabilitation treatment.
• No knowledge of the German language
• Risk of suicide
• Acute psychosis or psychotic symptoms

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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218 participants in 2 patient groups

Phone-based Aftercare-Coordination

Experimental group

Description:

After inpatient treatment patients receive six phone contacts of aftercare-coordination at intervals of two weeks carried out by therapists for 12 weeks. The intervention aims at supporting the patients in coordinating their aftercare treatment which can help to maintain or even improve longterm treatment outcome.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Phone-based Aftercare-Coordination

Treatment as usual

No Intervention group

Description:

After inpatient treatment patients receive treatment as usual within routine care.