Behavioral health program for short-stay nursing facility residents and their care partners
Building Resilience in Skilled Nursing Care: A Behavioral Health Intervention for Residents & Care Partners
NA · Massachusetts General Hospital · NCT07220486
This program will test whether the InSTILL behavioral health intervention helps short-stay skilled nursing facility residents with depressive symptoms and their primary support persons compared with minimally enhanced usual care.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Massachusetts General Hospital (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT07220486 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized, controlled feasibility study will assign short-stay skilled nursing facility residents who screen positive for depressive symptoms and their primary support persons to either the InSTILL behavioral health program or minimally enhanced usual care. The team will deliver the intervention in the post-acute nursing facility setting and collect outcome data at three scheduled timepoints plus a brief exit interview. Key eligibility includes adults (≥18) resident-care partner pairs, with exclusion for more than mild cognitive impairment, very short expected stays (<7 days), high suicide risk, or newly initiated psychotherapy. The trial is being conducted through Massachusetts General Hospital and focuses on feasibility, participant satisfaction, and whether the program appears helpful.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adult short-stay skilled nursing facility residents who report depressive symptoms and have a willing primary support person aged 18 or older, without more than mild cognitive impairment and planning to stay at least seven days.
Not a fit: Patients with more than mild cognitive impairment, a planned stay under seven days, high suicide risk, or those who have just started new psychotherapy are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could improve mood and coping for short-stay nursing facility residents with depressive symptoms and provide better support for their care partners during transitions.
How similar studies have performed: Caregiver-inclusive behavioral interventions in post-acute and geriatric settings have shown mixed but promising results, though InSTILL itself is being tested here primarily for feasibility.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patient and care partner both aged ≥ 18 years * Patient with care partner (known person providing regular health-related, socioemotional, or practical support) willing to participate * Patient reporting depression symptoms on a screening tool (Patient Health Questionnaire) Exclusion Criteria: * Patient intended length of nursing facility stay \< 7 days * Patient evidencing more than mild impairment on a cognitive screen (Brief Interview for Mental Status) * Patient's roommate in skilled nursing facility already enrolled in study/intervention * Either patient or care partner reporting high risk of suicidality, based on a standardized safety assessment tool * Either patient or care partner participating in newly initiated psychotherapy
Where this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Evan Plys, PhD — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Makenna E Law, BS
- Email: brisk@mgb.org
- Phone: 617-643-9406
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Nursing Home Resident, Skilled Nursing Facility, Depression, Feasibility Studies, Caregiver