Trial of problem-solving by community psychiatric nurses (CPNs) for anxiety, depression and life difficulties among general practice patients

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN01016789

Enrollment

247

Registered

2003-04-25

Start date

2000-05-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2015-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Mental and behavioural disorders: Depression, anxiety, neuroses Mental and Behavioural Disorders Depression

Interventions

A randomised controlled trial with three arms: usual GP care, generic CPN care, and CPN problem-solving. A sample of 20 CPNs will be recruited to receive the problem-solving training, with 20 untraine

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Patients aged 18 to 65 with a new episode of anxiety, depression or reaction to life difficulties, lasting at least four weeks.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Already receiving psychological treatment, severe mental illness, actively suicidal, severe substance misuse, housebound, illiterate, temporary residents.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
The main outcome measure will be psychological symptoms measured using the revised CIS-R, analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. Social outcome will be measured using the modified Social Adjustment Scale and health-related quality of life using the Euroquol. Patient satisfaction will be measured using a specially designed self-report questionnaire. The economic analysis (cost-utility, cost-effectiveness, or cost-minimisation depending on the outcomes found) will take into account the cost of CPN training, treatment and supervision, GP consultations, medication prescribed, the number of days off work for patients in paid employment, and other costs incurred by the patient or their family in attending treatment. Patients will be assessed at baseline, at 8 weeks (after the problem-solving therapy has been completed), and at 26 weeks. At baseline patients will be interviewed using the revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R) to provide total symptom scores and an ICD-10 diagnosis, and will also complete the General Health Questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (to explore the usefulness of these scales in predicting which patients benefit from treatment).	—

Measure

Time frame

The main outcome measure will be psychological symptoms measured using the revised CIS-R, analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. Social outcome will be measured using the modified Social Adjustment Scale and health-related quality of life using the Euroquol. Patient satisfaction will be measured using a specially designed self-report questionnaire. The economic analysis (cost-utility, cost-effectiveness, or cost-minimisation depending on the outcomes found) will take into account the cost of CPN training, treatment and supervision, GP consultations, medication prescribed, the number of days off work for patients in paid employment, and other costs incurred by the patient or their family in attending treatment. Patients will be assessed at baseline, at 8 weeks (after the problem-solving therapy has been completed), and at 26 weeks. At baseline patients will be interviewed using the revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R) to provide total symptom scores and an ICD-10 diagnosis, and will also complete the General Health Questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (to explore the usefulness of these scales in predicting which patients benefit from treatment).

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
No secondary outcome measures	—

Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026