RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07220486

Behavioral Health Program for Short-Stay Nursing Facility Residents & Care Partners

Building Resilience in Skilled Nursing Care: A Behavioral Health Intervention for Residents & Care Partners

Sponsor

Massachusetts General Hospital

Enrollment

100 participants

Start Date

Nov 5, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Depression Caregiver Feasibility Studies Nursing Home Resident Skilled Nursing Facility

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to test a behavioral health program (Interventions for Stressful Transitions in Later Life, InSTILL) for skilled nursing facility residents and their primary support person. The main questions it aims to answer is whether the program is program is feasible, satisfactory, and helpful. The researchers will compare the InSTILL program to minimally enhanced usual care. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the InSTILL program or minimally enhanced usual care. Participants will complete assessments at three timepoints (all) and a brief-exit interview.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria3

Patient and care partner both aged ≥ 18 years
Patient with care partner (known person providing regular health-related, socioemotional, or practical support) willing to participate
Patient reporting depression symptoms on a screening tool (Patient Health Questionnaire)

Exclusion Criteria5

Patient intended length of nursing facility stay \< 7 days
Patient evidencing more than mild impairment on a cognitive screen (Brief Interview for Mental Status)
Patient's roommate in skilled nursing facility already enrolled in study/intervention
Either patient or care partner reporting high risk of suicidality, based on a standardized safety assessment tool
Either patient or care partner participating in newly initiated psychotherapy

Interventions

BEHAVIORALInterventions for Stressful Transitions in Later Life

The Interventions for Stressful Transitions in Later Life (InSTILL) intervention is for skilled nursing facility residents and their care partners experiencing elevated levels of psychological distress. The intervention is designed to improve life management skills, emotion regulation skills, and dyadic coping skills with the goal of reducing depression symptoms among both dyad members (i.e., resident and care partner).