Development of a Telephone-based Continuation Treatment for Patients With Chronic Depression.

Chronic Depressive Disorder Clinical Trial

Official title:

Optimizing Psychotherapeutic Aftercare for Patients Suffering From Chronic/Recurrent Depression: Development and First Evaluation of a Telephone-based Continuation Treatment (Pilot Study).

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT02397850
• Other study ID #: WATZKE-892
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• First received: January 14, 2015
• Last updated: November 6, 2017
• Start date: February 2015
• Est. completion date: October 25, 2017

Study information

• Verified date: November 2017
• Source: University of Zurich
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

There is a high risk for relapse in people suffering from depression. Studies indicate that the continuation of an acute psychotherapeutic treatment can reduce the likelihood of relapse. Therefore, this pilot study is aimed to investigate the feasibility of a continuation psychotherapy over 6 months, to support people suffering from chronic forms of depression in their daily life. The investigated continuation therapy itself includes about one telephone call per month (therapist - patient), focussing on the integration of strategies into the patient's daily routine. The patients receive either 30 minutes or 50 minutes phone calls. On the one hand, these phone calls are supported by a workbook for patients containing psychoeducative elements, strategies and exercises. On the other hand, the therapist's work is based on a manual containing several modules and strategies. Both tools (workbook, manual) are understood as a framework, using the appropriate sections according to the patient's needs. As a result, the patients receive a continuation treatment which is appropriate and adapted to their individual situation.

The main purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility of a telephone based psychotherapeutic continuation treatment with a small sample of 20 patients suffering from chronic depression. In case of promising results the effectiveness of this kind of treatment is going to be investigated within a comparative trial (including face-to-face intervention, no intervention).

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 7
• Est. completion date: October 25, 2017
• Est. primary completion date: May 20, 2017
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Written informed consent

• Diagnosis of chronic (300.4) or recurrent (296.31-3) depression (according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition)

• Currently in partial or full remission

• Previous psychotherapy (acute treatment; some kind of cognitive-behavioral therapy)

• adequate knowledge of German language

• in case of taking antidepressants: long-term and stable dosage (with unchanged taking since 3 months at least)

Exclusion Criteria:

• acute suicidality

• psychotic symptoms

• severe cognitive impairments

• in case of taking antidepressants: anticipated stopping medication within treatment period (6 months)

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Chronic Depressive Disorder
• Depression
• Depressive Disorder

Intervention

Behavioral:
• phone calls 30 min
Patients receive either seven 30 minutes phone calls over 6 months (psychotherapy/continuation treatment)
• phone calls 50 min
Patients receive either seven 50 minutes phone calls over 6 months (psychotherapy/continuation treatment)

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Switzerland	UniversitätsSpital Zürich Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie Ambulatorium	Zurich

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Zurich

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Switzerland, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	number of patients dropping out of treatment		6 months
Primary	change of depressive symptoms from baseline to posttreatment	assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire	6 months