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 range50 Years

SexALL

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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

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