Telehealth Program for Stress in Older Adults

(TIP-OA Trial)

Overseen By Soham Rej, MD, MSc

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Lady Davis Institute

Disqualifiers: Inability to give consent

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 11

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a telephone program designed to help older adults manage stress, particularly from social isolation due to COVID-19. Volunteers make friendly weekly telehealth phone calls to older adults to determine if these calls improve mental health and reduce stress. The trial also gathers feedback from both participants and volunteers about their experiences. Eligible participants are aged 60 or older, live in Montreal, can speak English or French, and are comfortable making decisions about their research participation. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance mental health support for older adults.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on evaluating a telephone program, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required.

What prior data suggests that this telehealth program is safe for older adults?

Research has shown that telehealth programs, such as the Telehealth Intervention Program for Older Adults (TIP-OA), are generally safe for older adults. Past studies indicate that participants have found these programs engaging, remaining active and involved over time. Reports of serious side effects or problems are absent, as the program primarily involves friendly phone calls. This suggests that telehealth is a safe option and may help reduce stress and improve mental health in older adults. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores a unique approach to managing stress in older adults through a telehealth program. Unlike traditional options like in-person therapy or medication, this program offers weekly phone calls from trained volunteers, providing social support and connection without needing to leave home. This method can be especially beneficial for older adults who may be isolated or have mobility issues. By focusing on emotional support and accessibility, the trial aims to uncover how such programs can improve mental health and quality of life for seniors.

What evidence suggests that the Telehealth phone calls are effective for reducing stress in older adults?

Research has shown that the Telehealth Intervention Program for Older Adults (TIP-OA), which participants in this trial will experience, may help reduce stress and improve mental health. One study found that weekly friendly phone calls, a key component of TIP-OA, boosted mental health for older adults. These calls provide social support and help lessen feelings of loneliness. Participants in that study reported feeling less stressed, as shown by a stress survey. Additionally, telehealth programs like TIP-OA can increase engagement and connection, which is especially helpful for older adults during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, early findings suggest this approach can positively affect mental health and stress levels. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Soham Rej, MD/MSc

Principal Investigator

Lady Davis Institute

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals aged 60 or older living in Montreal who speak English or French. Participants must be able to give consent and are interested in a telehealth program aimed at reducing isolation's impact on mental health.

Inclusion Criteria

Program Users must be TIP-OA Program Users

Program Users must be residing in Montreal

Volunteers must be TIP-OA program volunteers

Exclusion Criteria

Volunteers: None

Stakeholders: None

I am unable to give consent for medical procedures.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Initial assessment of mental health outcomes using various scales

1 week

1 visit (virtual)

Intervention

Weekly friendly phone calls from trained volunteers to older adults

8 weeks

8 calls (telephone)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in mental health outcomes

8 weeks

2 assessments (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Telehealth phone calls

Trial Overview The study evaluates the Telehealth Intervention Program for Older Adults (TIP-OA), where volunteers make weekly friendly phone calls to assess its effectiveness in reducing stress and improving mental health among seniors.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Volunteers - Qualitative Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

15 volunteers taking part in the semi-structured interviews and 16 volunteers participating in the focus groups. The interviews and focus groups will evaluate their roles, experiences, and challenges volunteering with the TIP-OA program.

Group II: Stakeholders - Qualitative Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

18 stakeholders (clinicians, community partners, TIP-OA team members) will participate in focus groups and interviews. Specifically, 10 clinicians will participate in one focus group and 8 community partners/team members will participate in interviews. The interviews and focus groups will evaluate their roles, experiences, and challenges volunteering with the TIP-OA program.

Group III: Program Users - Quantitative Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The Telehealth Intervention Program (TIP-OA) for older adults was created during the COVID-19 pandemic to support the health of older adults who are isolated or have mental health/cognitive issues. Within the TIP-OA program, trained volunteers provide friendly phone calls once a week to older adults (age 60+). 200 participants will be recruited for the quantitative component of the study.

Group IV: Program Users - Qualitative Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Interviews will be conducted with 25 participants regarding their perceptions and experiences in the TIP-OA program.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Lady Davis Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

50

Recruited

6,600+

Citations

1. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S106474812200224X

Telehealth Intervention Program for Older Adults (TIP-OA) ... TIP-OA is a novel and ongoing intervention program, we aim to identify predictors of treatment response based on client baseline risk ratings and demographic ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9592737/

Results from the Telehealth Intervention Program for older ... The aim of this study was to document the impact of a weekly friendly telephone support (TIP-OA) in improving mental health outcomes and fear of ...

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04523610

Telehealth Intervention Program for Older Adults (TIP-OA) This study evaluates the effectiveness of the clinical service TIP-OA in 1) reducing stress (Perceived Stress Scale), 2) improving the mental health of service ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10440646/

Perceptions and Uses of Telehealth in the Care of Older ... The majority of respondents (55%) selected “telehealth improves healthcare for older adults by enhancing engagement between stakeholders” as a top advantage.

5. library.samhsa.gov library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/pep21-06-02-001.pdf

Telehealth for the Treatment of Serious Mental Illness and ... The table below provides a list of potential outcomes, illustrative outcome indicators, and qualitative and quantitative data sources that program managers,.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8861729/

A Study of the Telehealth Intervention Program for Seniors ... In this paper, we assess factors of retention—patients remaining active participants—in a CTP called the Telehealth Intervention Programs for Seniors (TIPS) ...

7. seniorcitizens.westchestergov.com seniorcitizens.westchestergov.com/nutrition-health-and-safety/telehealth-intervention-programs-for-seniors

Telehealth Intervention Programs for Seniors - Senior Citizens TIPS is a telehealth trailblazer because it combines three key elements to help seniors age successfully.

8. agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jgs.18556

Improving older adults' telehealth through a novel community ... This training model demonstrates benefits from a community–academic partnership to design, implement, and evaluate a longitudinal, one-on-one telehealth ...

9. bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-024-02518-x

Telemedicine in primary care of older adults: a qualitative study We conducted a qualitative study to explore the challenges associated with TM use among older adults and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in primary care ...