Using volunteers to help seniors with depression through increased activity
1/3 Lay-delivered Behavioral Activation in Senior Centers
This study is looking at a program called 'Do More, Feel Better,' which trains volunteers to help older adults with depression by encouraging them to be more active, and it wants to see if this friendly support works as well as traditional therapy for seniors over 60 who are feeling down.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10988280 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates a program called 'Do More, Feel Better' that trains lay volunteers to deliver a simplified version of Behavioral Activation to seniors suffering from depression. The approach aims to engage older adults in increased physical activity, which is linked to improved mental health outcomes. By comparing the effectiveness of this volunteer-led intervention to traditional professional therapy, the study seeks to determine if lay-delivered support can effectively reduce depressive symptoms in seniors. Participants will be older adults over 60 who exhibit signs of depression but are not diagnosed with psychosis or dementia.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 60 and above who are experiencing elevated depressive symptoms.
Not a fit: Patients who are diagnosed with psychosis or dementia may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a sustainable and effective way to reduce depression among seniors by utilizing community volunteers.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that community-based interventions can be effective in improving mental health outcomes, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Raue, Patrick J — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Raue, Patrick J
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 below.