Social Reward Psychotherapy for Suicidal Thoughts

N/A

Recruiting

Led By Nili Solomonov, PhD

Research Sponsored by Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Be older than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up baseline, midtreatment (week 6) and post treatment (week 9)

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial tests a new talk therapy called Engage & Connect, aimed at middle-aged and older adults who feel socially isolated. The therapy encourages enjoyable social activities to help improve mood and reduce suicidal thoughts by making people feel happier and more connected.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for individuals aged 50-80 with Major Depressive Disorder and suicidal thoughts, who have a certain level of cognitive function (MMSE score within normal range) and are either off antidepressants or on a stable dose. They must not be receiving other psychotherapy, have no plans to change medication doses, and cannot have severe medical conditions or other psychiatric diagnoses that could interfere with the study.

What is being tested?

'Engage & Connect' Psychotherapy is being tested against Symptom Review and Psychoeducation (SRP) over a 9-week period to see if it improves brain functions related to positive emotions and reduces suicidality in older adults suffering from depression.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this trial involves psychotherapy interventions rather than medications, typical drug side effects are not expected. However, participants may experience emotional discomfort discussing personal issues during therapy sessions.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ baseline, midtreatment (week 6) and post treatment (week 9)

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~baseline, midtreatment (week 6) and post treatment (week 9)

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline, midtreatment (week 6) and post treatment (week 9) for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Change in STAR task reaction time following social feedback

Change in resting state functional connectivity of the Positive Valence System

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: "Engage & Connect" PsychotherapyExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Engage \& Connect is a remotely-delivered psychotherapy, aimed to increase engagement in rewarding social activities and in turn, reduce suicidality. In Engage \& Connect, depressed middle-aged and older adults with suicidal ideation work with a therapist to develop "action plans" to pursue rewarding social activities of their choice.

Group II: Symptom Review and Psychoeducation (SRP)Active Control1 Intervention

In this intervention, the therapist will review the participant's symptoms and provide literature-based clinical explanations and clarifications about the symptoms, the course, and the causes of depression and aging processes. In SRP, the therapist reviews the depressed individual's symptoms, and level of information on depression, identifies misconceptions, and guides selection of educational material which could benefit the patient.

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