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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2017 Oct 10;10(1):500.
doi: 10.1186/s13104-017-2819-y.

Randomized trial of telephone versus in-person delivery of a brief psychosocial intervention in post-stroke depression

Catherine J Kirkness  1 , Kevin C Cain  2 , Kyra J Becker  3 , David L Tirschwell  3 , Ann M Buzaitis  4 , Pamela L Weisman  1 , Sylvia McKenzie  5 , Linda Teri  6 , Ruth Kohen  7 , Richard C Veith  7 , Pamela H Mitchell  8   9
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Randomized trial of telephone versus in-person delivery of a brief psychosocial intervention in post-stroke depression

Catherine J Kirkness et al. BMC Res Notes. .

Abstract

Background: A psychosocial behavioral intervention delivered in-person by advanced practice nurses has been shown effective in substantially reducing post-stroke depression (PSD). This follow-up trial compared the effectiveness of a shortened intervention delivered by either telephone or in-person to usual care. To our knowledge, this is the first of current behavioral therapy trials to expand the protocol in a new clinical sample. 100 people with Geriatric Depression Scores ≥ 11 were randomized within 4 months of stroke to usual care (N = 28), telephone intervention (N = 37), or in-person intervention (N = 35). Primary outcome was response [percent reduction in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS)] and remission (HDRS score < 10) at 8 weeks and 12 months post treatment.

Results: Intervention groups were combined for the primary analysis (pre-planned). The mean response in HDRS scores was 39% reduction for the combined intervention group (40% in-person; 38% telephone groups) versus 33% for the usual care group at 8 weeks (p = 0.3). Remission occurred in 37% in the combined intervention groups at 8 weeks versus 27% in the control group (p = 0.3) and 44% intervention versus 36% control at 12 months (p = 0.5). While favouring the intervention, these differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusions: A brief psychosocial intervention for PSD delivered by telephone or in-person did not reduce depression significantly more than usual care. However, the comparable effectiveness of telephone and in-person follow-up for treatment of depression found is important given greater accessibility by telephone and mandated post-hospital follow-up for comprehensive stroke centers. Clinical Trial Registration URL: https://register.clinicaltrials.gov , unique identifier: NCT01133106, Registered 5/26/2010.

Keywords: Behavioural therapy; Depression; Nurse therapist; Psychosocial intervention; Randomized controlled trial; Stroke.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
CONSORT flow diagram: LWWS 2
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Comparison of response to treatment LWWS 1 and LWSS 2. The dotted line is the HRSD score indicating remission
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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