Virtual therapy to help reduce depression in older adults who have experienced abuse
Official title: Intervention to Reduce Depression Among Elder Abuse Victims: Type 1 Hybrid Trial of Tele-PROTECT
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11059254 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well a virtual therapy called Tele-PROTECT helps older adults who have experienced abuse and are feeling depressed, and it’s open to English- and Spanish-speaking participants who want to feel better and regain control of their lives.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 7, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $542,081 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132757-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11059254 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults over the age of 60 who have experienced abuse and are showing signs of depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not victims of elder abuse or who do not exhibit depressive symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of Tele-PROTECT, a virtual therapy designed specifically for older adults who have been victims of abuse and are experiencing depression. The therapy is delivered while participants receive additional support services from elder abuse agencies, focusing on increasing rewarding activities and empowering individuals through goal setting. The study will compare the outcomes of Tele-PROTECT with a control condition to assess its impact on depressive symptoms among participants. The research aims to recruit a diverse group of English- and Spanish-speaking elder abuse victims to evaluate the therapy's effectiveness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce depressive symptoms in older adults who have experienced abuse, improving their overall mental health and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with similar virtual therapy approaches, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sirey, Jo Anne — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Sirey, Jo Anne
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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.