Internet CBT to reduce depression and memory decline after an ICU stay
Official title: ADEPT-ICU: Attenuating Depression with Internet Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to Slow Cognitive Decline in Older Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Survivors
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11166462 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project offers online cognitive behavioral therapy to help reduce depression and slow thinking and memory problems in older adults who survived an intensive care unit stay.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $739,180 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG084754-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11166462 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are older adults who survived an ICU admission, have depressive symptoms and report worsening memory or thinking, and can use internet-based therapy.
✕Less likely to help
People without depressive symptoms, those with advanced dementia or severe cognitive impairment, or anyone unable to access or use online therapy tools may not receive benefit.
What this research studies
If you are an older adult who survived an ICU stay and notice worsening memory or mood, this trial will randomly assign participants to internet-delivered CBT focused on depression or to usual care. The therapy is delivered online to make it easier to use from home, and the team aims to enroll a diverse group including people from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. Researchers will track self-reported memory and thinking problems, depressive symptoms, and other health measures over time to see if the online therapy reduces subjective cognitive decline. The study is led by Indiana University and will run for several years to test a scalable approach for older ICU survivors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce depression and help slow or prevent self-reported memory and thinking decline after critical illness, potentially lowering future dementia risk.
How similar studies have gone: Online CBT has reduced depression in other patient groups, but large randomized trials have not yet tested this approach specifically in older ICU survivors.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Khan, Babar a — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Khan, Babar a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Attenuating Depression with Internet CBT to Slow Cognitive Decline in Older ICU Survivors
A new online cognitive behavioral therapy program is being tested to help older ICU survivors who are experiencing depressive symptoms and may be at risk for cognitive decline.
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Using online therapy to help older ICU survivors with depression and cognitive decline
This study is looking at whether online therapy can help older adults who have been in intensive care feel better mentally and improve their thinking skills, especially focusing on those from different backgrounds.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.