This is a resubmission of an R34 exploratory/developmental grant application. The proposed pilot study is designed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of telehealth problem-solving therapy (tele-PST) for homebound older adults suffering from clinically significant moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms. Equipment includes a broadband cable or DSL modem and a wireless videoconferencing device that is securely connected to an older adult's home television set and to the therapist's workstation, with the conferencing beginning when the therapist calls the older-adult client. The real-time, interactive videoconferencing is likely to allow the therapist and the client most of the benefits of in-person sessions. In order to pursue the study aims, we have chosen a two-phase research design. In Phase I, we will implement an uncontrolled feasibility study of six weekly sessions of tele-PST with 10 subjects recruited from a Meals on Wheels program and an in-home support services program in central Texas and evaluate the subjects'acceptance of the intervention and procedural and logistical issues that may arise during its implementation. At a 2-week, one-time follow-up, the subjects'depression, disability, and resourcefulness will also be assessed. In Phase II, we will implement a small-scale, three-group RCT with 30 subjects in each group. The first group will receive up to six weekly tele-PST sessions. The second group will receive up to six weekly in- person PST sessions. Both groups will also receive six monthly maintenance calls from their therapists following the PST sessions. The Phase I findings will guide any modifications and adaptations in tele-PST and in-person PST procedures to be used in Phase II. In-person PST serves as the benchmark or gold standard of comparison for detecting signals that are suggestive of efficaciousness of tele-PST. The third group, an attention control group, will receive six weekly telephone calls and six monthly calls. All three groups will continue to receive their usual services of home-delivered meals or in-home support services and case management from their agency case managers. Two MSW-level therapists will be used, each of whom will conduct both tele-PST and in-person PST sessions.
Specific aims i n this phase are to (1) assess adequacy of recruitment, enrollment, and retention strategies with special attention to racial/ethnic minorities, and of research instruments;(2) compare compliance rates and service delivery cost between tele-PST and in- person PST;and (3) estimate preliminary effect size and detect clinically significant signals with regard to depression, disability, other health status, and resourcefulness outcomes of tele-PST compared to those of in- person PST and attention control condition at 2 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks following the conclusion of the 6 weekly PST sessions. The findings are expected to provide data necessary for designing a future RCT to test the replicability, therapeutic efficacy, and cost effectiveness of tele-PST with a larger sample of disabled homebound persons. The public health significance of this study lies in the fact that telehealth PST (tele-PST) may have potential to significantly reduce access barriers not only among homebound older adults but among other disabled persons. Given the current and projected shortage in the mental health workforce, tele-PST holds promise as the most practical and accessible depression treatment for homebound older adults and other disabled persons.

Public Health Relevance

The public health significance of this study lies in the fact that telehealth PST (tele-PST) may have potential to significantly reduce access barriers not only among homebound older adults but among other disabled persons. Given the current and projected shortage in the mental health workforce, tele-PST holds promise as the most practical and accessible depression treatment for homebound older adults and other disabled persons.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Planning Grant (R34)
Project #
5R34MH083872-02
Application #
7809535
Study Section
Mental Health Services in MH Specialty Settings (SRSP)
Program Officer
Niederehe, George T
Project Start
2009-05-01
Project End
2012-04-30
Budget Start
2010-05-01
Budget End
2011-04-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$259,183
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas Austin
Department
Social Sciences
Type
Schools of Social Work
DUNS #
170230239
City
Austin
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
78712
Choi, Namkee G; Snow, A Lynn; Kunik, Mark E (2016) Pain severity, interference, and prescription analgesic use among depressed, low-income homebound older adults. Aging Ment Health 20:804-13
Choi, Namkee G; Marti, C Nathan; Conwell, Yeates (2016) Effect of Problem-Solving Therapy on Depressed Low-Income Homebound Older Adults' Death/Suicidal Ideation and Hopelessness. Suicide Life Threat Behav 46:323-36
Choi, Namkee G; Wilson, Nancy L; Sirrianni, Leslie et al. (2014) Acceptance of home-based telehealth problem-solving therapy for depressed, low-income homebound older adults: qualitative interviews with the participants and aging-service case managers. Gerontologist 54:704-13
Choi, Namkee G; Marti, C Nathan; Bruce, Martha L et al. (2014) Six-month postintervention depression and disability outcomes of in-home telehealth problem-solving therapy for depressed, low-income homebound older adults. Depress Anxiety 31:653-61
Choi, Namkee G; Kunik, Mark E; Wilson, Nancy (2013) Mental health service use among depressed, low-income homebound middle-aged and older adults. J Aging Health 25:638-55
Choi, Namkee G; Sirey, Jo Anne; Bruce, Martha L (2013) Depression in Homebound Older Adults: Recent Advances in Screening and Psychosocial Interventions. Curr Transl Geriatr Exp Gerontol Rep 2:16-23
Choi, Namkee G; Marti, C Nathan; Bruce, Martha L et al. (2013) Depression in homebound older adults: problem-solving therapy and personal and social resourcefulness. Behav Ther 44:489-500
Choi, Namkee G; Hegel, Mark T; Nathan Marti, C et al. (2012) Telehealth Problem-Solving Therapy for Depressed Low-Income Homebound Older Adults. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry :
Choi, Namkee G; Marti, C Nathan; Bruce, Martha L et al. (2012) Relationship between depressive symptom severity and emergency department use among low-income, depressed homebound older adults aged 50 years and older. BMC Psychiatry 12:233
Choi, Namkee G; Hegel, Mark T; Sirrianni, Leslie et al. (2012) Passive coping response to depressive symptoms among low-income homebound older adults: does it affect depression severity and treatment outcome? Behav Res Ther 50:668-74

Showing the most recent 10 out of 11 publications