A Scalable Psychological Intervention to Reduce Psychological Distress Among Workers of Assisted Living Facilities

Summary

The current study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a stepped-care program (Doing What Matters \[DWM\] and Problem Management Plus \[PM+\]) in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms amongst long-term care workers (LTCWs), following changes in care due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conditions

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Psychological Distress

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Doing What Matters (DWM)

The original DWM program consists of a self-help guide called 'Doing What Matters in Times of Stress', that is complemented with pre-recorded audio exercises. The audio material imparts key information about stress management and guides participants through individual exercises. Additionally, participants are guided by a briefly trained helper. In this study, DWM will be delivered as an online intervention. The DWM intervention, i.e. both the audio recordings and the self-help guide, has been adapted for use on a smartphone or other device with internet access. The format of DWM is innovative in that it seeks to ensure that key intervention components are delivered as intended through the use of pre-recorded audio, without the burden of extensive training and supervision. In the online application tool a new module is released every week so participants will be asked to go through the entire DWM intervention within 5 weeks with weekly guidance from a helper.

BEHAVIORAL

Problem Management Plus (PM+)

PM+ is a new, brief, psychological intervention program based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques. The manual involves the following empirically supported elements: problem solving plus stress management, behavioral activation, facing fears, and accessing social support. Across the five 90-minute sessions participants may talk to trained non-professional. PM+ has four core features, and it is brief. In this study, the delivery mode of the PM+ intervention will be flexible, with remote delivery in phases of the pandemic when physical distancing rules apply. This is a future-oriented attempt towards a more holistic mental health care system that can flexibly switch between modes of delivery (e.g. remotely (e.g. Zoom) or face-to), depending on the needs and the specific containment measures that apply, and the specific preferences and needs of the participant.

BEHAVIORAL

Psychological First Aid (PFA)

PFA is a brief intervention consisting of a 15-min call that assess the immediate concerns and needs of an individual in order to connect individuals to help and resources.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• VU University of Amsterdam

  collaborator OTHER

• Universidad Autonoma de Madrid

  collaborator OTHER

• Fundació Sant Joan de Déu

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Josep Maria Haro, MD,PhD · Fundació Sant Joan de Déu

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-09-27

Primary Completion

2024-05-31

Completion

2024-09-30

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations