Intervention for Anxiety After Falls

Weill Medical College of Cornell University23 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a brief intervention for disabling anxiety is practical to conduct and beneficial for older adults injured by falls.

Falls are the most commonly occurring cause of traumatic injury among older adults. For many, the consequences include reduced mobility, difficulty performing basic self-care, social isolation, deteriorating health, or even death. Most interventions for falls do not address anxiety in the aftermath of falling. After an initial study assessment, participants will complete 8 home-based sessions of a Cognitive-Behavioral therapy (CBT). The sessions will be led by a study clinician who will cover the 5 intervention components:(a) education (learning about anxiety and the rationale for treatment); (b) relaxation training (learning skills to reduce tension); (c) cognitive restructuring (learning skills needed to cope better with distressing thoughts); (d) behavioral activation (learning to initiate healthy activity); and (e) exposure (coaching in how to confront avoided thoughts, situations, and people). Participants will also complete assessments following completion of the intervention and 3 months after completion of the intervention.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Specific Phobia Anxiety

Interventions

EducationBEHAVIORAL

Learning about anxiety

Relaxation TrainingBEHAVIORAL

Learning skills to reduce tension

Cognitive RestructuringBEHAVIORAL

Learning skills needed to cope better with distressing thoughts

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 65 YearsMax age: 105 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * age \> or = 65 years * English-speaking * injured due to fall * hospitalized * returned home \< or = 3 months * ambulatory * full or subsyndromal PTSD or Fear of Falling * residing in one of the five boroughs of New York City Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to understand assessment questions * Marked cognitive impairment * Dementia * Schizophrenia * Bipolar Disorder * Depression with psychotic features * Delusional Disorder * Substance Use Disorder or Dependence * Active suicidal ideation, intent, or plan * Active homicidal ideation, intent or plan * Aphasia * Acute or severe medical illness or life expectancy \< 6 months * Initiated psychotropic medications \< 6 weeks prior * Initiated mental health treatment \< 6 weeks prior * Psychosocial factors that would compromise study participation (such as not having a telephone)

Locations (1)

Weill Cornell Medical College

New York, New York, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

The Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly (SAFE) will be primary outcomes.

Time frame: At initial assessment, following completion of intervention, and 3 months after completion of intervention

Secondary Outcomes

Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Reintegration to Normal Living, Health Related Quality of Life, and other measures will be included.

Time frame: At initial assessment, following completion of intervention, and 3 months after completion of intervention

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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