Clinical trial NCT02397850: Development of a Telephone-based Continuation Treatment for Patients With Chronic Depression.
Official title: Optimizing Psychotherapeutic Aftercare for Patients Suffering From Chronic/Recurrent Depression: Development and First Evaluation of a Telephone-based Continuation Treatment (Pilot Study).
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Chronic Depressive Disorder
Keywords: depression, chronic, psychotherapy, telephone, feasibility
Lead sponsor: University of Zurich
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2015-03-25
Enrollment: 7
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: NA
Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: There is a high risk for relapse in people suffering from depression. Studies indicate that the continuation of an acute psychotherapeutic treatment can reduce the likelihood of relapse. Therefore, this pilot study is aimed to investigate the feasibility of a continuation psychotherapy over 6 months, to support people suffering from chronic forms of depression in their daily life. The investigated continuation therapy itself includes about one telephone call per month (therapist - patient), focussing on the integration of strategies into the patient's daily routine. The patients receive either 30 minutes or 50 minutes phone calls. On the one hand, these phone calls are supported by a workbook for patients containing psychoeducative elements, strategies and exercises. On the other hand, the therapist's work is based on a manual containing several modules and strategies. Both tools (workbook, manual) are understood as a framework, using the appropriate sections according to the patient's needs. As a result, the patients receive a continuation treatment which is appropriate and adapted to their individual situation.

The main purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility of a telephone based psychotherapeutic continuation treatment with a small sample of 20 patients suffering from chronic depression. In case of promising results the effectiveness of this kind of treatment is going to be investigated within a comparative trial (including face-to-face intervention, no intervention).


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Written informed consent
* Diagnosis of chronic (300.4) or recurrent (296.31-3) depression (according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition)
* Currently in partial or full remission
* Previous psychotherapy (acute treatment; some kind of cognitive-behavioral therapy)
* adequate knowledge of German language
* in case of taking antidepressants: long-term and stable dosage (with unchanged taking since 3 months at least)

Exclusion Criteria:

* acute suicidality
* psychotic symptoms
* severe cognitive impairments
* in case of taking antidepressants: anticipated stopping medication within treatment period (6 months)

Primary outcomes:
measure: number of patients dropping out of treatment
timeFrame: 6 months
measure: change of depressive symptoms from baseline to posttreatment
timeFrame: 6 months
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Zurich
country: Switzerland
facility: UniversitätsSpital Zürich Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie Ambulatorium
Study officials:
affiliation: University of Zurich
name: Birgit Watzke, Prof. Dr.
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: