CompletedNot Applicable

Increasing Social Connection Through Crisis Caring Contacts: A Pragmatic Trial

United States974 participantsStarted 2023-04-04

Plain-language summary

The main purpose is to learn if sending messages from the VA (called "Caring Contacts") reduces loneliness and improves mental health. The investigators want to understand if these messages are effective in Veterans aged 60 and above who have missed appointments at the VA even though they have health problems. Participants will receive up to 10 postcards mailed in envelopes from a fellow Veteran (Peer Specialist) from their local VA, and will be asked to fill out four surveys. The investigators are recruiting 920 Veterans aged 50 years and older who have felt isolated and have missed appointments at the VA to join this study.

Who can participate

Age range

50 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: * age 50 years and above * have at least four VA appointments in the prior 6-18 months in primary care or mental health * have at least two comorbidities contained in the Elixhauser Index * a) zero completed appointments in the past 6 months and zero appointments scheduled, or b) in the 90th percentile or higher in terms of no-shows or appointments canceled by patient in the prior 12 months Exclusion Criteria: * no valid mailing address * no valid phone number * inclusion in an existing Caring Contacts program * diagnosis of neurocognitive disorder or other significant cognitive impairment indicative of inadequate decision-making capacity

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

UCLA Loneliness Scale, Version 3

Timeframe: 12-month follow-up

Count of mental health or primary care visits over 12 months

Timeframe: The 12-month period from the date of randomization to 12-month follow-up

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05484297

SponsorVA Office of Research and Development

Sponsor typeFED

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-02-17

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