Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable
Age: 65Years +
All Genders
ID06174701

Building Resilience for Surgical Recovery: Feasibility and Acceptability Pilot Study

Led by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston · Updated on 2025-05-01

90

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

On this page

Sponsors

T

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Lead Sponsor

N

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborating Sponsor

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the use of Problem Solving Therapy (PST) for older adults undergoing major surgery who have depressive symptoms or feel they lack social support. This pilot study aims to assess how feasible and acceptable it is to deliver PST before and after surgery. The study involves 90 participants recruited at a specialized clinic for older surgical patients. The goal is to gather preliminary data to inform a larger future study on recovery after surgery. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group receives nine PST sessions, with 2-3 sessions before surgery and 6-7 sessions afterward via phone or videoconference. PST teaches problem-solving steps such as defining problems, generating solutions, selecting the best options, and monitoring results. The control group receives enhanced usual care consisting of extra mental health education through mailed or emailed handouts. Throughout the study, participants undergo assessments including the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule to measure functional recovery six months after baseline. Depressive symptoms are tracked at three and six months using the Patient Health Questionnaire. Enrollment and consent occur remotely by phone and email. The study carefully monitors participants' progress and collects data to evaluate whether PST can improve post-operative function and mood over time.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Building Resilience for Surgical Recovery

Who Can Participate

Age: 65Years +
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • 65 years of age or older on the day of surgery
  • Scheduled major surgery with an expected hospital stay of 3 or more days, including orthopedic, thoracic, abdominal, or cardiac procedures
  • Depressive symptoms with a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score of 5 or higher; for scores 5-9, must have depressed mood or diminished activities
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Severe cognitive impairment indicated by 5 or more errors on the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire
  • Unable to read, speak, and understand English
  • Current alcohol or substance abuse defined by scoring 2 or more on the CAGE questionnaire or current use of non-prescription drugs
  • Life expectancy of 6 months or less

AI-Screening

AI-Powered Screening

Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility

1
2
3
+1

Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

Outpatient Treatment

Duration - Approximately 9 weeks covering 2-3 sessions before surgery and 6-7 sessions after surgery

Participants in the intervention arm receive Problem Solving Therapy (PST) through coaching sessions via videoconferencing or phone to develop problem-solving skills before and after surgery. Participants in the control arm receive enhanced usual care through mental health education handouts.

Weekly sessions (remote) for 9 sessions total

Follow-up

Duration - Up to 6 months after baseline

Participants are monitored to assess functional recovery and depressive symptoms after the intervention period.

Follow-up assessments at 3 months and 6 months after baseline

Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

University of California, San Francisco

San Francisco, California, United States, 94143

Actively Recruiting

Loading map...

Research Team

J

Jude des Bordes, MBChB, MPH, DrPH, CPH

V

Victoria Tang, MD, MAS

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

DOUBLE

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Model

PARALLEL

Primary Purpose

PREVENTION

Number of Arms

2

Similar Trials

Clinical Outcomes of Indocyanine Green Tracer in 3D Plus Ult...

Gastric Cancer

Actively Recruiting

1 location

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support

Not the Right Trial for You?

Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Already have an account? Log in here

Published Research Related To This Trial

Lack of social participation or religious strength and comfort as risk factors for death after cardiac surgery in the elderly.

T E Oxman, D H Freeman, E D Manheimer

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7732159

Optimizing Surgical Quality Datasets to Care for Older Adults: Lessons from the American College of Surgeons NSQIP Geriatric Surgery Pilot.

Julia R Berian, Lynn Zhou, Melissa A Hornor...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29054389

Role of self-efficacy and social support in short-term recovery after total hip replacement: a prospective cohort study.

Espen Andreas Brembo, Heidi Kapstad, Sandra Van Dulmen...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28399883