Study for Depression and Neglect in Older Adults

This study is looking at ways to help older adults experiencing depression and neglect or self-neglect. It compares the usual support from Adult Protective Services (APS) with a new approach called Behavioral Activation (BA). BA involves 8 weekly sessions, delivered through a device like an iPad, computer, or smartphone, to help you learn self-management techniques for depression. The study wants to see if reducing depression and apathy (lack of interest or emotion) can also reduce neglect or self-neglect behaviors. You might be able to join if you are 65 or older, have an open APS case, and a PHQ-9 score of 9 or more, which indicates depression. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 50 participants. It compares two approaches: APS Treatment as Usual and Intervention-Behavioral Activation (BA).
What's involved
If you participate, you would receive 8 one-hour Behavioral Activation sessions weekly via home telehealth. Your depression, apathy, and neglect/self-neglect will be measured at the start, after 8 weeks, and again at 3 months.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for 3 months after the treatment period to assess changes in depression, apathy, and neglect/self-neglect.

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

NCT06910267

Leveraging Adult Protective Service Interaction to Offer Evidence-Based Treatment for Depression in Elder Neglect/Self Neglect

Recruiting
NAAges 65+InterventionalTreatment
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
~50 participants
Updated 2026-06-30 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:APS Treatment as UsualIntervention-Behavioral Activation (BA)

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in depression as assessed by the Patient Depression Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
Measured over baseline, post-treatment ( 8 weeks after baseline), and 3 months
+2 more outcomes measured
Depression in Old Age

NCT06910267

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.

  • The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

    Houston, Texasstudy 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.

  • Leila Wood, PhD, MSSW · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

APS Case in APS Region VI- Must have open case
PHQ 9 score- Must have score of nine (9) or more

Exclusion

Previous mental health diagnosis of bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, and moderate to severe dementia
Assessment of Consent Proxy- Those who need assessment of consent proxy
Suicidal Intent (as indexed by PhQ-9 question 9)- Those scoring 2 or 3
Current Alcohol and Drug Dependency- As evidenced by Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, and Eye-opener (CAGE) score of 3 or more
  • Change in depression as assessed by the Patient Depression Questionnaire (PHQ-9)baseline, post-treatment ( 8 weeks after baseline), and 3 months

    This is 9 item questionnaire and each is scored from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day), for a maximum score of 27, higher score indicating more depression

  • Change in apathy as assessed by the Apathy Motivations Index (AMI)baseline, post-treatment ( 8 weeks after baseline), and 3 months

    This is an 18 item questionnaire and each item is scored on a scale from 0(completely true) to 4(completely untrue), for a maximum score of 72, with higher scores indicating greater apathy

  • Change in Elder Neglect/Self Neglect (EN/SN) as evidenced by study developed goal attainment scalebaseline, post-treatment ( 8 weeks after baseline), and 3 months

    Participants will be given a list of 19 common daily activities and will be asked to pick one or more activities form the list that they would like to start doing or do more regularly each day or week.Each activity will be then scored based on the following scoring criteria, higher score indicating better outcome : (Much less than expected)-2 (Somewhat less than expected)-1 (Expected client outcome)0 (Somewhat better than expected)+1 (Much better than expected)+2