Reducing Suicide Risk in Older Veterans Using Problem Solving Therapy (NCT04763330) | Clinical Trial Compass
TerminatedNot Applicable
Reducing Suicide Risk in Older Veterans Using Problem Solving Therapy
Stopped: Funding stopped early
United States117 participantsStarted 2022-01-24
Plain-language summary
Suicide is a national crisis, especially among older Veterans for whom evidence-based suicide prevention efforts are lacking. This proposal responds to the national priority to develop and improve interventions for suicide prevention, with a focus on at-risk older Veterans. The randomized control trial will compare VA usual care, which is suicide safety planning, with brief Problem Solving Therapy and suicide safety planning. This study uses Problem Solving Therapy because it has support from our pilot data and from secondary data analysis from other studies for reducing late life suicide risk. This treatment also has support for alleviating two key risk factors for late life suicide risk, functional disability and executive dysfunction, and thus this study will examine how older Veterans with varying levels of functional disability and executive functioning respond to treatment to inform future targeted implementation. In accordance with national priorities, existing infrastructure in Problem Solving Training could be expanded to support more rapid VA-wide implementation.
Who can participate
Age range
55 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* \>= 55 years old
* SI (past month) on the C-SSRS
* No SI or imminent risk (will be excluded)
* Eligibility now includes non-specific active suicidal thoughts to active SI with some planning (on C-SSRS item 3: "Have you been thinking about how you might do this") and/or some intent to act (on C-SSRS item 4: "Have you had these thoughts and had some intention of acting on them?") provided that those endorsing item 4 have an established relationship with a psychiatrist aware of this intent level (who is not also performing psychotherapy)
* Those endorsing C-SSRS item 5: "Do you intend to carry out this plan?" would be considered at imminent risk and excluded
* Presence of DSM-5 depressive disorder or anxiety disorder, specified or unspecified, or PTSD or subthreshold PTSD.
* No diagnosis of dementia; evidence that cognitive impairment is not indicative of possible dementia based on a negative cognitive telephone screen (\<10 errors on the Blessed cognitive screen)
* No diagnosis on MINI or medical record for psychotic symptoms or disorders, bipolar disorder, or severe OCD (mild or moderate OCD will be eligible)
* No history of head injury past 12 months
* No severe or unstable chronic medical illness or other severe or unstable respiratory, cardiovascular, neurologic, hepatic, hematopoietic, gastrointestinal or metabolic dysfunction
* AUDIT Total score \<15 for men or \<13 for women (no current alcohol use disorder)
* No substance use disorder of an…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Geriatric Suicide Ideation Scale (GSIS)
Timeframe: Change across 11 timepoints: baseline, after each of the 6 weekly treatment sessions, posttreatment (7 weeks), 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up.
2
Reasons for Living - Older Adult Scale (Short RFL-OA)
Timeframe: Change across 11 timepoints: baseline, after each of the 6 weekly treatment sessions, posttreatment (7 weeks), 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up.