Integrated care for older adults with major depression and multiple chronic conditions
Official title: Integrated Care for Older Adults With Major Depression and Physical Multimorbidity - The I-CONNECT
Run by KU Leuven · NCT07211750 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program will test whether a coordinated, person-centered care approach called I-CONNECT helps older adults (65+) with depression or bipolar disorder and at least two long-term physical illnesses feel better and manage their care more easily.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 65 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 82 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | KU Leuven Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Leuven) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | October 1, 2026 |
| Study ends | October 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | December 12, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07211750 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are adults aged 65 or older who have a diagnosed mood disorder (depression or bipolar disorder), are under psychiatric care, have at least two chronic physical conditions, live independently at home in the Leuven region, and receive ongoing care from both a GP and a psychiatrist.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with severe cognitive impairment who cannot participate in shared decision-making, those who cannot provide informed consent, or people who do not live independently in the Leuven area or lack local GP/psychiatrist care are unlikely to benefit from this program.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Participants are assigned to either the I-CONNECT model or to continue usual care, and outcomes are compared over time. The I-CONNECT approach provides a care coordinator, personalized care plans, structured medication reviews, shared decision-making support, and regular follow-up involving the participant's GP, psychiatrist, pharmacist, and other specialists. Participants complete standardized questionnaires about mood, quality of life, treatment burden, and health service use, while researchers monitor how well the program is delivered. The aim is to bridge primary and mental healthcare to reduce fragmentation and improve both mental and physical outcomes for older adults with complex needs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, I-CONNECT could improve mental and physical health, lower the burden of managing multiple conditions, and make healthcare easier to navigate for older adults with multimorbidity.
How similar studies have gone: Collaborative and integrated care models have shown benefit for depression and some chronic conditions, but person-centered integrated programs specifically targeting older adults with multiple long-term diseases remain less extensively tested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 65 years or older * Clinical diagnosis of a mood disorder (depression or bipolar disorder) * Currently receiving care from a psychiatrist * At least two chronic physical health conditions * Living independently at home in the Leuven region * Ongoing care from both a general practitioner and a psychiatrist Exclusion Criteria: * Severe cognitive impairment (e.g., advanced dementia) that prevents participation in assessments or shared decision-making * Inability to provide informed consent
Where it's running
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KU/UZ Leuven
Leuven, Belgium Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Louise de Almeida Ferreira Fonseca
- Email: louise.dealmeidaferreira@kuleuven.be
- Phone: +32 16 37 66 21
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.