Group treatment for older adults with psychological distress

Existential Group Treatment for Older Adults (75+) With Psychological Distress in Primary Care: A Randomized Control Trial

This study is testing a group therapy program for older adults over 75 who are feeling anxious or depressed to see if talking about life's big questions can help improve their emotional well-being.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 140 (estimated)
• Ages: 75 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Göteborg University (other)
• Locations: 7 sites (Gothenburg and 6 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT05503485 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study focuses on providing existential group treatment to older adults aged 75 and above who experience psychological distress, such as symptoms of depression and anxiety. The intervention aims to facilitate discussions about existential issues, including aging and death, which are often overlooked in traditional mental health care. Participants will either engage in group therapy sessions or receive supportive telephone calls to address their emotional suffering and improve their quality of life. The study is conducted in primary care settings in Sweden, where older adults often lack access to appropriate mental health interventions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are older adults aged 75 and above who exhibit increased levels of psychological distress.

Not a fit: Patients currently undergoing other psychological treatments or those with severe mental health conditions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve the mental health and quality of life for older adults experiencing psychological distress.

How similar studies have performed: While there is growing interest in existential therapy for older adults, this specific approach targeting psychological distress in primary care settings is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Be aged 75+
2. Have increased levels of psychological distress (GHQ-12 ≥3)
3. Be interested in participating in a research project in which they will receive either group treatment or supportive telephone calls.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Other ongoing psychological treatment
2. Indications that the group format will be unsuitable due to conditions such as clinical diagnosis of dementia or MMSE ≤25, ongoing severe alcohol use disorder, ongoing post- traumatic stress disorder, ongoing psychotic or manic episodes, or other mental health problems necessitating the offering of other specified treatment, as identified by the M.I.N.I.
3. Inadequate knowledge of Swedish
4. Acute suicide risk according to the M.I.N.I.

Where this trial is running

Gothenburg and 6 other locations

• Närhälsan Slottsskogen vårdcentral — Gothenburg, Sweden (RECRUITING)
• Närhälsan Majorna Vårdcentral — Gothenburg, Sweden (RECRUITING)
• Närhälsan Högsbo vårdcentral — Gothenburg, Sweden (RECRUITING)
• Vårdcentralen Wästerläkarna — Gothenburg, Sweden (RECRUITING)
• Capio vårdcentral Orust — Henån, Sweden (RECRUITING)
• Närhälsan Vårgårda vårdcentral — Vårgårda, Sweden (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)
• Vårdcentralen Kusten Ytterby — Ytterby, Sweden (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Margda Waern, Professor — Göteborg University
• Study coordinator: Isak Erling, Psy M

Conditions: Psychological Distress, Existential therapy, Existential group therapy, Existential group treatment, Aging, Old adults, Randomized control trial, Anxiety