Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Specific Phobia, Anxiety
Conditions
Keywords
PTSD, Fear of Falling, Older Adults, Injurious Falls, Exposure Therapy
Brief summary
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.
Detailed description
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.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALEducation
Learning about anxiety
BEHAVIORALRelaxation Training
Learning skills to reduce tension
BEHAVIORALCognitive Restructuring
Learning skills needed to cope better with distressing thoughts
BEHAVIORALBehavioral Activation
Learning to initiate healthy activity
BEHAVIORALExposure
Coaching in how to confront avoided thoughts, situations, and people)
Sponsors
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
65 Years to 105 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
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)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly (SAFE) will be primary outcomes. | At initial assessment, following completion of intervention, and 3 months after completion of intervention |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Reintegration to Normal Living, Health Related Quality of Life, and other measures will be included. | At initial assessment, following completion of intervention, and 3 months after completion of intervention |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed