Single-session solution-focused consultation to boost mental health treatment engagement.
Improving Mental Health Treatment Engagement of Patients With Comorbid Chronic Diseases: A Randomized Controlled Evaluation of the Feasibility and Preliminary Effectiveness of a Single-Session Solution-Focused Consultation (SSC) in a Community Setting
This project will try a one-time solution-focused consultation to see if it helps patients with chronic physical illnesses and symptoms of anxiety or depression begin and stay engaged with mental health services.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 21 Years to 99 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Nanyang Technological University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Singapore) |
| Trial ID | NCT07116655 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This feasibility study delivers a single-session solution-focused consultation (with a supportive single-session option) to patients treated in community healthcare settings who have chronic physical diseases and elevated anxiety or depression scores. Eligible participants must score 5 or more on the PHQ-9 or GAD-7, be conversant in English, not currently engaged in formal mental health services, and have no history of psychosis or intellectual disability. The brief consultation focuses on setting practical goals and steps to access mental health care, and service uptake and engagement are tracked after the session. Outcomes include feasibility measures such as acceptability and uptake, plus preliminary changes in mental health service engagement.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Patients receiving community-based care for chronic physical diseases in Singapore who have at least mild anxiety or depression symptoms (PHQ-9 or GAD-7 ≥5), are fluent in English, are not currently in formal mental health services, and do not have psychosis or intellectual disability.
Not a fit: People with a history of psychosis, intellectual disability, pervasive developmental disorders, those already in formal mental health care, non-English speakers, or those needing intensive psychiatric treatment are unlikely to benefit from this single-session approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this brief approach could help more people with chronic illnesses access and continue mental health care using a low-resource intervention.
How similar studies have performed: Single-session and solution-focused brief interventions have shown some promise for improving engagement and symptoms in other settings, but evidence is mixed and this approach is relatively under-tested for patients with chronic physical comorbidities in Singapore.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. A history of one or more chronic physical diseases based on the Ministry of Health (Singapore) Chronic Disease Management Programme guidelines; 2. A score of 5 or more on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) or Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7); 3. Not currently engaged in formal mental health service; 4. Conversant in the English language; 5. Receiving treatment in a community healthcare setting Exclusion Criteria: 1. A history of psychosis, intellectual disability, or pervasive developmental disorders
Where this trial is running
Singapore
- Renal Health Services — Singapore, Singapore (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jacqueline L. Tilley, PhD
- Email: jacqueline.tilley@nie.edu.sg
- Phone: +65 67903202
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.