Tele-PROTECT Therapy for Depression and Elder Abuse

This study is looking at two virtual programs for people aged 60 and older who have experienced elder abuse and are also dealing with depression. One program is called Tele-PROTECT, which helps with depression by encouraging enjoyable activities and setting goals to reduce risk. The other program is Depression Education (DepEd), which provides education, support, and empathy. Both programs involve nine 45-minute virtual sessions. Researchers want to see if Tele-PROTECT is more effective than DepEd at reducing depression and helping participants feel more empowered to improve their safety. The study plans to enroll 140 participants.

Study design
This is a randomized study comparing two behavioral interventions, Tele-PROTECT and Depression Education, in 140 participants.
What's involved
You would participate in nine 45-minute virtual sessions for either Tele-PROTECT or Depression Education. Your depression levels will be assessed at the start, week three, week six, and week nine of treatment.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your depression levels will be monitored through week nine of treatment.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06039930

Tele-PROTECT Therapy: Effectiveness, Empowerment, and Implementation

Recruiting
NAAges 60+InterventionalTreatment
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
~140 participants
Updated 2026-07-29 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Tele PROTECTDepression Education

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
Measured over Assessed at baseline and week three of treatment
+7 more outcomes measured
Depression
Elder Abuse

NCT06039930

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Weill Cornell Medicine

    New York, New Yorkstudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

  • Jo Anne Sirey, Ph.D · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Weill Medical College of Cornell University

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

≥60 years of age
Capacity to consent (per elder abuse staff)
Depression, i.e., PHQ-9≥10 (by elder abuse staff), represents mild to moderate severity of depression and has a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 88% for major depression
Need for elder abuse services as verified by the elder abuse case worker.

Exclusion

Active suicidal ideation (MADRS item 10 ≥4)
Inability to speak English or Spanish
Axis 1 DSM-5 diagnoses other than unipolar depression or comorbid generalized anxiety disorder (by SCID)
Mini-MOCA less than 11
Severe or life-threatening medical illness
Elder abuse emergency and or referral out of elder abuse agency.
  • Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)Assessed at baseline and week three of treatment

    The Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) is a 10-item scale that assesses depression severity. Scores range from 0 to 60, with a score of 0 indicating no depressive symptoms present and a score of 60 indicating severe depression. Scores will be used to assess depression severity outcome and evaluate the impact of interventions in line with the Effectiveness Aim.

  • Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)Assessed baseline and week six of treatment

    The Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) is a 10-item scale that assesses depression severity. Scores range from 0 to 60, with a score of 0 indicating no depressive symptoms present and a score of 60 indicating severe depression. Scores will be used to assess depression severity outcome and evaluate the impact of interventions in line with the Effectiveness Aim.

  • Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)Assessed baseline and week nine of treatment

    The Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) is a 10-item scale that assesses depression severity. Scores range from 0 to 60, with a score of 0 indicating no depressive symptoms present and a score of 60 indicating severe depression. Scores will be used to assess depression severity outcome and evaluate the impact of interventions in line with the Effectiveness Aim.

  • Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)Assessed baseline and 3 weeks after treatment end, approximately 12 weeks from enrollment

    The Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) is a 10-item scale that assesses depression severity. Scores range from 0 to 60, with a score of 0 indicating no depressive symptoms present and a score of 60 indicating severe depression. Scores will be used to assess depression severity outcome and evaluate the impact of interventions in line with the Effectiveness Aim.

  • Measure Of Victim Empowerment Related to Safety (MOVERS) ScaleAssessed at baseline and week three of treatment

    The MOVERS a 13-item scale assesses the presence of a set of safety-related goals, the ability to accomplish them, and victims' sense that others can and will assist them as needed. Scores range from 13 to 65 with higher scores indicating a greater degree of empowerment related to safety. The MOVERS serves to measure the Abuse Impact Aim.

  • Measure Of Victim Empowerment Related to Safety (MOVERS) ScaleAssessed at baseline and week six of treatment

    The MOVERS a 13-item scale assesses the presence of a set of safety-related goals, the ability to accomplish them, and victims' sense that others can and will assist them as needed. Scores range from 13 to 65 with higher scores indicating a greater degree of empowerment related to safety. The MOVERS serves to measure the Abuse Impact Aim.

  • Measure Of Victim Empowerment Related to Safety (MOVERS) ScaleAssessed at baseline and week nine of treatment

    The MOVERS a 13-item scale assesses the presence of a set of safety-related goals, the ability to accomplish them, and victims' sense that others can and will assist them as needed. Scores range from 13 to 65 with higher scores indicating a greater degree of empowerment related to safety. The MOVERS serves to measure the Abuse Impact Aim.

  • Measure Of Victim Empowerment Related to Safety (MOVERS) ScaleAssessed baseline and 3 weeks after treatment end, approximately 12 weeks from enrollment

    The MOVERS a 13-item scale assesses the presence of a set of safety-related goals, the ability to accomplish them, and victims' sense that others can and will assist them as needed. Scores range from 13 to 65 with higher scores indicating a greater degree of empowerment related to safety. The MOVERS serves to measure the Abuse Impact Aim.