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Motivational Coaching to Enhance Mental Health Engagement in Rural Veterans

Motivational Coaching to Enhance Mental Health Engagement in Rural Veterans

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01893983
Acronym
COACH
Enrollment
418
Registered
2013-07-09
Start date
2015-10-01
Completion date
2018-09-30
Last updated
2019-09-27

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

Conditions

Mental Health, Rural Health, Veterans Health

Keywords

Mental Health, Veterans Health, Rural, Motivational Interviewing

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate health problems among rural Veterans. The research project also aims to test a new telephone-based approach for helping Veterans who need treatment connect with the appropriate care. This study will help us to better understand the kinds of problems Veterans experience. The study will also help us to find better ways to help Veterans get the help they may need.

Detailed description

Project Background: One in five Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)/Operation New Dawn (OND) Veterans resides in rural areas and primarily receives care from VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). Compared to their urban counterparts, rural Veterans experience a significantly greater MH burden and poorer outcomes. Nevertheless, less than 10% of OEF/OIF/OND Veterans with a new PTSD diagnosis attend a minimum number of sessions required for evidence-based treatment, with rurality being one of the strongest predictors of poor engagement. The investigators' pilot study in urban OEF/OIF/OND Veterans demonstrated that telephone Motivational Interviewing (MI) delivered by research staff significantly improved MH treatment initiation and retention in care. However, the investigators do not know whether telephone MI will have as strong an effect on MH treatment engagement when implemented by VA staff in CBOCs serving rural Veterans. Project Objectives: As a part of the Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research (CeMOHR) CREATE application to improve rural Veterans' access to evidence-based mental healthcare, the overall goal of this project is to adapt, implement and test an MI-based coaching intervention to improve MH services engagement at CBOCs serving rural Veterans. The specific aims of this project are: (1) Conduct a developmental formative evaluation of perceived barriers to MH treatment engagement and adapt the MI-based treatment engagement intervention and implementation strategy to the needs of stakeholders; (2) Conduct a randomized multi-site pragmatic effectiveness trial comparing MH Referral alone with MH Referral plus MI-based coaching; and (3) Conduct an implementation-focused formative evaluation and use this information to make mid-course corrections to the implementation strategy based on stakeholder and key informant input. Methods: The investigators will conduct the pragmatic effectiveness trial of the telephone motivational coaching intervention to determine whether, in comparison to MH Referral alone, telephone MI coaching improves MH treatment initiation and retention, the use of e-health MH resources, and perceived need and readiness for and access to MH treatment among rural Veterans who use CBOCs (Aim 2). Impact: This research will help close the knowledge gap about barriers to care and preferences for MH services among rural Veterans. In addition, information from this project will be used to develop implementation toolkits for MH treatment engagement interventions for rural Veterans. Finally, this project will determine the effectiveness of a telephone Motivational Interviewing engagement intervention using e-health adjuncts, thereby filling a gap in the scientific literature about whether novel interventions can be used by VA staff in CBOCs to overcome rural-urban disparities in MH treatment engagement.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALMotivational Coaching

Telephone-based Motivational Interviewing aimed at getting Veterans to engage or retain mental health treatment

Sponsors

VA Office of Research and Development
Lead SponsorFED

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* a Veteran over age 18 * a resident of VISN 16 or 21 catchment areas receiving care at a CBOC with no plans to re-locate within 8 months of enrollment * positive for 1 or more of the following disorders: PTSD, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, high-risk drinking, and/or illicit substance use

Exclusion criteria

* hearing- impaired, * no working telephone, * Veterans with self-reported (and/or CPRS-confirmed) diagnoses of schizophrenia, psychosis or bipolar disorder, or active suicidality or homicidality * received mental health treatment within the last 60 days and/or has future appointments for mental health treatment in the next 30 days

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Mental Health (MH) Treatment Engagement26 monthsMotivational Coaching (vs. Control) on MH treatment initiation. This will be measured by self-report and by checking the subjects medical record. The investigators will adjust by clustering for CBOC and region as well as potential confounding by other covariates

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Mental Health (MH) Treatment Retention26 monthsMotivational Coaching (vs. Control) on MH treatment retention. This will be measured by self-report and by checking the subjects medical record. The investigators will adjust by clustering for CBOC and region as well as potential confounding by other covariates

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Mental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.26 monthsDepression, anxiety, panic, PTSD, tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine, inhalants, sedatives, hallucinogen, opioid, and QOL domains: physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment. Ranges of scores: depression: 0-27, anxiety: 0-4, panic: 0-4, PTSD: PTSD: 0-80., tobacco: 0-31, alcohol: 0-39, cannabis use: 0-39, cocaine: 0-39, amphetamine: 0-39, inhalants: 0-39, sedatives: 0-39, hallucinogen: 0-39, opioid: 0-39, QOL physical health: 4-20, QOL psychological health: 4-20, QOL social relationships: 4-20, QOL environment: 4-20. Higher scores mean worse outcomes for mental health symptoms and substance use scores; higher scores mean worse outcomes for quality of life measures.
Self-care Activities26 monthsFive types of self-care activities to relieve stress: internet or mobile applications, community groups (church groups, gun clubs), community classes (Yoga, cooking), alternative treatments (acupuncture, chiropractor, massage), and other self-care activities (meditation, fishing, walking).

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

(1) CBOC providers will refer veterans; (2) VA administrative data will be used to identify veterans; (3) veteran self-referral; (4) snowball sampling

Pre-assignment details

Baseline assessment was used to determine mental health eligibility. Those who did not score high enough on mental health symptoms AND/OR had recently had recently had a mental health visit and/or a schedule mental health visit were excluded.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Motivational Coaching
Telephone based Motivational Coaching sessions Motivational Coaching: Telephone-based Motivational Interviewing aimed at getting Veterans to engage or retain mental health treatment
140
Referral Alone
This is the current standard of care
140
Total280

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicMotivational CoachingReferral AloneTotal
Age, Continuous50.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.1
51.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.8
50.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.4
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
7 Participants13 Participants20 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
131 Participants127 Participants258 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Mental Health Treatment Experiences in the last 5 years
Counseling by chaplain or other religious person
6 Participants10 Participants16 Participants
Mental Health Treatment Experiences in the last 5 years
Counseling by Social Worker
19 Participants18 Participants37 Participants
Mental Health Treatment Experiences in the last 5 years
Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment
5 Participants5 Participants10 Participants
Mental Health Treatment Experiences in the last 5 years
Internet/Mobile Application treatment program/supp
9 Participants10 Participants19 Participants
Mental Health Treatment Experiences in the last 5 years
Marital, relationship or family counseling
13 Participants8 Participants21 Participants
Mental Health Treatment Experiences in the last 5 years
Mental Health- Individual or Group Counseling
73 Participants76 Participants149 Participants
Mental Health Treatment Experiences in the last 5 years
Primary Care
50 Participants43 Participants93 Participants
Mental Health Treatment Experiences in the last 5 years
Psychiatric medication
81 Participants85 Participants166 Participants
Mental Health Treatment Experiences in the last 5 years
Research study
7 Participants4 Participants11 Participants
Mental Health Treatment Experiences in the last 5 years
Self-help group
10 Participants5 Participants15 Participants
Mental Health Treatment Experiences in the last 5 years
Substance Abuse Treatment
8 Participants12 Participants20 Participants
Mental Health Treatment Experiences in the last 5 years
Telephone counseling program
10 Participants16 Participants26 Participants
PCL-525.0 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 19
27.6 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 18.1
26.3 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 18.6
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
5 Participants3 Participants8 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
2 Participants0 Participants2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
28 Participants36 Participants64 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
8 Participants9 Participants17 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
1 Participants1 Participants2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
8 Participants15 Participants23 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
87 Participants76 Participants163 Participants
Readiness Ruler: Assessment of Motivation for Treatment
How confident are you that you would get treatment
5.9 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.4
6.4 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.3
6.1 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.4
Readiness Ruler: Assessment of Motivation for Treatment
How important is it for you to receive treatment r
5.2 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.1
5.9 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.5
5.5 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.3
Readiness Ruler: Assessment of Motivation for Treatment
How ready are you to receive treatment right now f
6.2 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.3
6.9 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.4
6.6 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.4
Region of Enrollment
United States
139 Participants140 Participants279 Participants
Severity Measure for Depression-Adult (PHQ-9)11.3 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.1
12.2 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.9
11.8 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6
Severity Measure for Generalized Anxiety Disorder-Adult1.5 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.9
1.5 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.9
1.5 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.9
Severity Measure for Panic Disorder-Adult0.8 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1
0.9 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1
0.8 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1
Sex: Female, Male
Female
27 Participants17 Participants44 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
112 Participants123 Participants235 Participants
WHO - ASSIST V3
Alcohol
7.8 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.4
7.6 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.7
7.7 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.5
WHO - ASSIST V3
Amphetamine
0.2 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.9
0.5 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.6
0.4 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.3
WHO - ASSIST V3
Cannabis
3.2 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.8
3.5 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6
3.3 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.4
WHO - ASSIST V3
Cocaine
0.5 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.5
0.8 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.3
0.7 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.9
WHO - ASSIST V3
Hallucinogens
0.1 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.4
0.2 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.6
0.1 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.5
WHO - ASSIST V3
Inhalants
0.01 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.2
0.2 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.6
0.1 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.1
WHO - ASSIST V3
Opioids
0.2 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.5
0.9 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4
0.6 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.3
WHO - ASSIST V3
Sedatives
0.8 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.1
0.4 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.1
0.6 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.3
WHO - ASSIST V3
Tobacco
8.6 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.9
8.3 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.9
8.5 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.9
WHOQOL-BREF
Environment
14.6 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.9
14.1 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.9
14.3 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.9
WHOQOL-BREF
Physical Health
12.0 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.7
11.9 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.3
12.0 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.5
WHOQOL-BREF
Psychological Health
13.3 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.1
12.9 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.6
13.1 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.8
WHOQOL-BREF
Social Relationships
13.0 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.2
12.7 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4
12.8 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.1

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 1400 / 140
other
Total, other adverse events
4 / 1402 / 140
serious
Total, serious adverse events
3 / 1402 / 140

Outcome results

Primary

Mental Health (MH) Treatment Engagement

Motivational Coaching (vs. Control) on MH treatment initiation. This will be measured by self-report and by checking the subjects medical record. The investigators will adjust by clustering for CBOC and region as well as potential confounding by other covariates

Time frame: 26 months

Population: Including 272 patients who provided primary outcome data (excluding those who withdrew).

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Motivational CoachingMental Health (MH) Treatment Engagement78 Participants
Referral AloneMental Health (MH) Treatment Engagement74 Participants
Comparison: Compare 2 groups in regard to time to first mental health treatment using Cox proportional hazards regression.p-value: 0.6695% CI: [0.81, 1.58]Regression, Cox
Secondary

Mental Health (MH) Treatment Retention

Motivational Coaching (vs. Control) on MH treatment retention. This will be measured by self-report and by checking the subjects medical record. The investigators will adjust by clustering for CBOC and region as well as potential confounding by other covariates

Time frame: 26 months

Population: Including patients who provided primary outcome data.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Motivational CoachingMental Health (MH) Treatment Retention67 Participants
Referral AloneMental Health (MH) Treatment Retention62 Participants
Other Pre-specified

Mental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.

Depression, anxiety, panic, PTSD, tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine, inhalants, sedatives, hallucinogen, opioid, and QOL domains: physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment. Ranges of scores: depression: 0-27, anxiety: 0-4, panic: 0-4, PTSD: PTSD: 0-80., tobacco: 0-31, alcohol: 0-39, cannabis use: 0-39, cocaine: 0-39, amphetamine: 0-39, inhalants: 0-39, sedatives: 0-39, hallucinogen: 0-39, opioid: 0-39, QOL physical health: 4-20, QOL psychological health: 4-20, QOL social relationships: 4-20, QOL environment: 4-20. Higher scores mean worse outcomes for mental health symptoms and substance use scores; higher scores mean worse outcomes for quality of life measures.

Time frame: 26 months

Population: Including patients who reported mental health symptoms, substance use, and quality of life.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Motivational CoachingMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.tobacco8.8 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 9.5
Motivational CoachingMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.inhalants0 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0
Motivational CoachingMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.panic0.6 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.9
Motivational CoachingMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.sedatives0.5 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.9
Motivational CoachingMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.alcohol7.1 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.7
Motivational CoachingMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.halluninogens0.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.1
Motivational CoachingMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.anxiety1.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.9
Motivational CoachingMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.opioid0.5 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.7
Motivational CoachingMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.cannabis3.1 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 4.8
Motivational CoachingMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.QOL physical health domain12.6 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.7
Motivational CoachingMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.PTSD25.1 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 18.4
Motivational CoachingMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.QOL psychological health domain13.4 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.8
Motivational CoachingMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.cocaine0.7 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.9
Motivational CoachingMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.QOL social relationships domain13.3 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.9
Motivational CoachingMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.depression9.4 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 6.2
Motivational CoachingMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.QOL environment domain14.4 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.5
Motivational CoachingMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.amphetamine0.3 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.6
Referral AloneMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.QOL environment domain13.6 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.6
Referral AloneMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.depression11.1 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 6.5
Referral AloneMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.anxiety1.3 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.8
Referral AloneMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.panic0.7 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.9
Referral AloneMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.PTSD29.7 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 16.7
Referral AloneMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.tobacco9.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 10
Referral AloneMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.alcohol7.7 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 8.6
Referral AloneMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.cannabis4.6 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 6.7
Referral AloneMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.cocaine0.9 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.5
Referral AloneMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.amphetamine0.7 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.5
Referral AloneMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.inhalants0.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.4
Referral AloneMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.sedatives0.8 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.1
Referral AloneMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.halluninogens0.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.8
Referral AloneMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.opioid0.9 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.8
Referral AloneMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.QOL physical health domain12.0 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.1
Referral AloneMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.QOL psychological health domain12.7 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.5
Referral AloneMental Health Symptoms, Substance Use Scores and Quality of Life (QOL) Measures.QOL social relationships domain12.1 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.8
Other Pre-specified

Self-care Activities

Five types of self-care activities to relieve stress: internet or mobile applications, community groups (church groups, gun clubs), community classes (Yoga, cooking), alternative treatments (acupuncture, chiropractor, massage), and other self-care activities (meditation, fishing, walking).

Time frame: 26 months

Population: Including participants who responded to survey questions during follow-up.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Motivational CoachingSelf-care ActivitiesCommunity groups59 Participants
Motivational CoachingSelf-care ActivitiesAlternative treatments40 Participants
Motivational CoachingSelf-care ActivitiesCommunity classes31 Participants
Motivational CoachingSelf-care ActivitiesSelf-care activities111 Participants
Motivational CoachingSelf-care ActivitiesInternet or mobile applications84 Participants
Referral AloneSelf-care ActivitiesSelf-care activities109 Participants
Referral AloneSelf-care ActivitiesInternet or mobile applications63 Participants
Referral AloneSelf-care ActivitiesCommunity groups52 Participants
Referral AloneSelf-care ActivitiesCommunity classes16 Participants
Referral AloneSelf-care ActivitiesAlternative treatments38 Participants

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026