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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2010 Jun;18(6):554-62.
doi: 10.1097/JGP.0b013e3181cdeb7d.

Improving antidepressant adherence and depression outcomes in primary care: the treatment initiation and participation (TIP) program

Jo Anne Sirey  1 , Martha L Bruce, Helen C Kales
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Improving antidepressant adherence and depression outcomes in primary care: the treatment initiation and participation (TIP) program

Jo Anne Sirey et al. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2010 Jun.

Abstract

Objective: To test the impact of a novel psychosocial intervention to improve antidepressant adherence and depression outcomes among older adults prescribed pharmacotherapy by their primary care physician (PCP).

Design: A randomized controlled pilot study was conducted to examine the usefulness of the Treatment Initiation and Participation (TIP) program as an intervention to improve antidepressant adherence and depression outcomes.

Setting: The study was conducted at two primary care clinics in New York city: one clinic served geriatric adults and the second clinic served a diverse group of mixed aged adults.

Participants: The sample consisted of adults aged 60 years and older with major depression who were recommended antidepressant therapy by their PCPs.

Intervention: All participants were prescribed antidepressant therapy and randomly assigned to either the intervention (TIP) or the treatment as usual (TAU) group. The TIP intervention identifies and targets psychological barriers to depression care, especially stigma, as well as fears and misconceptions of depression and its treatment. TIP participants are encouraged to develop a treatment goal and create an adherence strategy.

Measurement: Study participants were assessed at entry, 6, 12, and 24 weeks later. Adherence was measured based on self-report with chart verification. Depression severity was measured using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.

Results: Participants in TIP were significantly more adherent to their antidepressant pharmacotherapy at all assessment time points and had a significantly greater decrease in depressive symptoms than older adults who received TAU.

Conclusion: The results provide support for the usefulness of TIP as a brief intervention to improve adherence to depression medication treatment provided in primary care settings.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Impact of TIP Intervention on Patient-Level Barriers to Depression Care in Older Adults
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flow Chart of Study Participants
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mixed Effects Model of group Adherence Scores over 24 weeks (with standard error)1 1Group effect: F=13.27, df 1,57.2, p<.001
Figure 4
Figure 4
Mixed Effects Model of Depressivie Symptoms by Group over 24 weeks (with standard error)2 2Mixed Effects model F=10.89, df=1,55.1, p<.01
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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