Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program for Older Adults (ASSIP-OA) for people aged 65 and up

Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program for Older Adults (ASSIP-OA): An RCT and a Qualitative Evaluation of a Psychosocial Intervention for Suicidal Adults Aged 65+

This randomized study will test whether a version of the ASSIP counseling program adapted for people aged 65 and older reduces repeat suicide attempts and ongoing suicidal thoughts compared with usual care.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 132 (estimated)
• Ages: 65 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Vastra Gotaland Region (Government)
• Locations: 2 sites (Borås and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT06831942 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Researchers will run a randomized controlled trial in Sweden comparing ASSIP-OA, a version of the Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program adapted for adults 65 and older, to treatment as usual. Participants who recently attempted suicide or were hospitalized for serious suicidal plans and who can provide informed consent will receive ASSIP-OA plus standard mental health follow-up or usual care. The trial will track outcomes such as new suicide attempts and suicidal ideation over follow-up to see if the adapted program produces similar reductions to those seen in prior ASSIP studies. Study sites include Södra Älvsborg Hospital in Borås and Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal participants are Swedish-speaking adults aged 65 or older who recently attempted suicide or were hospitalized for serious suicidal plans and are able to give informed consent and engage in outpatient psychosocial treatment.

Not a fit: People with dementia or very low cognitive scores, ongoing delirium, severe psychosis, severe active substance use disorder, conditions requiring longer specialized treatments (e.g., DBT), terminal illness, or insufficient Swedish language ability are unlikely to benefit or are excluded.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, ASSIP-OA could substantially lower the risk of repeat suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts among older adults, improving safety and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: The original ASSIP developed in Switzerland showed about an 80% reduction in new suicide attempts compared with ordinary treatment in prior studies, but ASSIP has not been widely tested specifically in older adults in Europe.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 65 and above at time of index suicide attempt or hospitalisation for serious suicidal plans.
2. A mental health care contact during the active treatment period.
3. Capable of understanding study procedures and providing informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Clinical diagnosis of dementia or MoCa score less than -2 standard deviations from the normative score for education and age (Borland et al., 2017). Ongoing delirium, or any other condition impeding the comprehension of the study's procedures and implications that hinder the provision of informed consent.
2. Severe ongoing psychosis, severe ongoing substance use disorder, emotionally instable personality syndrome and any other condition that would require longer specialized treatment to reduce future suicidal behaviour (e.g. DBT).
3. Terminal illness.
4. Insufficient knowledge of the Swedish language (requires interpreter).
5. Aphasia or other severe communication issue or severe hearing and/or severe visual impairment that render the intervention unfeasible despite corrective aids.

Where this trial is running

Borås and 1 other locations

• Södra Älvsborg Hospital — Borås, Sweden (Recruiting)
• Sahlgrenska University Hospital — Gothenburg, Sweden (Not_yet_recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Margda Waern, Professor — Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
• Study coordinator: Sara Hed, Phd Student

Conditions Suicidal Ideation; Suicide Attempt; Suicide