Antidepressant Augmentation versus Switch in Treatment-Resistant Geriatric Depression.

BACKGROUND: The benefits and risks of augmenting or switching antidepressants in older adults with treatment-resistant depression have not been extensively studied. METHODS: We conducted a two-step, open-label trial involving adults 60 years of age or older with treatment-resistant depression. In step 1, patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to augmentation of existing antidepressant medication with aripiprazole, augmentation with bupropion, or a switch from existing antidepressant medication to bupropion. Patients who did not benefit from or were ineligible for step 1 were randomly assigned in step 2 in a 1:1 ratio to augmentation with lithium or a switch to nortriptyline. Each step lasted approximately 10 weeks. The primary outcome was the change from baseline in psychological well-being, assessed with the National Institutes of Health Toolbox Positive Affect and General Life Satisfaction subscales (population mean, 50; higher scores indicate greater well-being). A secondary outcome was remission of depression. RESULTS: In step 1, a total of 619 patients were enrolled; 211 were assigned to aripiprazole augmentation, 206 to bupropion augmentation, and 202 to a switch to bupropion. Well-being scores improved by 4.83 points, 4.33 points, and 2.04 points, respectively. The difference between the aripiprazole-augmentation group and the switch-to-bupropion group was 2.79 points (95% CI, 0.56 to 5.02; P = 0.014, with a prespecified threshold P value of 0.017); the between-group differences were not significant for aripiprazole augmentation versus bupropion augmentation or for bupropion augmentation versus a switch to bupropion. Remission occurred in 28.9% of patients in the aripiprazole-augmentation group, 28.2% in the bupropion-augmentation group, and 19.3% in the switch-to-bupropion group. The rate of falls was highest with bupropion augmentation. In step 2, a total of 248 patients were enrolled; 127 were assigned to lithium augmentation and 121 to a switch to nortriptyline. Well-being scores improved by 3.17 points and 2.18 points, respectively (difference, 0.99; 95% CI, -1.92 to 3.91). Remission occurred in 18.9% of patients in the lithium-augmentation group and 21.5% in the switch-to-nortriptyline group; rates of falling were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In older adults with treatment-resistant depression, augmentation of existing antidepressants with aripiprazole improved well-being significantly more over 10 weeks than a switch to bupropion and was associated with a numerically higher incidence of remission. Among patients in whom augmentation or a switch to bupropion failed, changes in well-being and the occurrence of remission with lithium augmentation or a switch to nortriptyline were similar. (Funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute; OPTIMUM ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02960763.).

Risk for Complicated Grief After the COVID-19 Death of a Marital Partner in Late Life.

OBJECTIVE: To identify 1) complicated grief symptom clusters among acutely-bereaved older adults who have lost a spouse to COVID-19 and 2) if spousal death due to COVID-19 increased risk of developing probable PGD METHODS: Eighty adults participating in a randomized controlled trial for depression prevention (mean age [± SD] = 70.4 [6.6]) completed the Inventory of Complicated Grief, every 3 months over a maximum of 15 months. Twenty-four percent (n = 19) of participants lost a spouse to COVID-19; 76% (n = 61) lost a spouse to other causes of death. Adjusted linear regression examined the associations between COVID-19 bereavement and six symptom clusters: yearning and preoccupation, anger and bitterness, shock and disbelief, estrangement from others, hallucinations, and behavior change. RESULTS: Compared to the non-COVID-19 group, the COVID-19 bereaved group reported greater shock and disbelief, hallucinations of the deceased, and estrangement from others. COVID-19 death was also associated with higher risk for probable prolonged grief disorder (PGD) at 12 months (odds ratio = 4.38, p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Older adults who have lost a spouse to COVID-19 present with specific symptoms of distress and may eventually require clinical care for PGD.

Effect of modernized collaborative care for depression on depressive symptoms and cardiovascular disease risk biomarkers: eIMPACT randomized controlled trial.

Although depression is a risk and prognostic factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), clinical trials treating depression in patients with CVD have not demonstrated cardiovascular benefits. We proposed a novel explanation for the null results for CVD-related outcomes: the late timing of depression treatment in the natural history of CVD. Our objective was to determine whether successful depression treatment before, versus after, clinical CVD onset reduces CVD risk in depression. We conducted a single-center, parallel-group, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial. Primary care patients with depression and elevated CVD risk from a safety net healthcare system (N = 216, Mage = 59 years, 78% female, 50% Black, 46% with income <$10,000/year) were randomized to 12 months of the eIMPACT intervention (modernized collaborative care involving internet cognitive-behavioral therapy [CBT], telephonic CBT, and/or select antidepressants) or usual primary care for depression (primary care providers supported by embedded behavioral health clinicians and psychiatrists). Outcomes were depressive symptoms and CVD risk biomarkers at 12 months. Intervention participants, versus usual care participants, exhibited moderate-to-large (Hedges' g = -0.65, p < 0.01) improvements in depressive symptoms. Clinical response data yielded similar results - 43% of intervention participants, versus 17% of usual care participants, had a ≥ 50% reduction in depressive symptoms (OR = 3.73, 95% CI: 1.93-7.21, p < 0.01). However, no treatment group differences were observed for the CVD risk biomarkers - i.e., brachial flow-mediated dilation, high-frequency heart rate variability, interleukin-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, ß-thromboglobulin, and platelet factor 4 (Hedges' gs = -0.23 to 0.02, ps ≥ 0.09). Our modernized collaborative care intervention - which harnessed technology to maximize access and minimize resources - produced clinically meaningful improvements in depressive symptoms. However, successful depression treatment did not lower CVD risk biomarkers. Our findings indicate that depression treatment alone may not be sufficient to reduce the excess CVD risk of people with depression and that alternative approaches are needed. In addition, our effective intervention highlights the utility of eHealth interventions and centralized, remote treatment delivery in safety net clinical settings and could inform contemporary integrated care approaches. Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02458690.

The Relationship Between Objectively Measured Step Count, Clinical Characteristics, and Quality of Life Among Depressed Patients Recently Hospitalized With Systolic Heart Failure.

OBJECTIVE: Physical activity (PA) can improve symptoms of both depression and heart failure (HF), but objective activity data among recently hospitalized HF patients with comorbid depression are lacking. We examined PA and the relationship between daily step counts and mood, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and heart health among patients enrolled in a clinical trial treating HF and comorbid depression. METHODS: We screened hospitalized patients with systolic HF (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] ≤45%) and New York Heart Association class II-IV symptoms for depression using the two-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) and telephoned screen-positive patients to administer the PHQ-9 2 weeks after discharge. If the patient scored PHQ-9 ≥10 and agreed to continue in our study, we administered our baseline assessment and mailed them an armband accelerometer. We instructed patients to wear the armbands for 7 days before returning them and classified their data as "usable" if they wore it ≥10 hours per day on ≥4 separate days. RESULTS: We mailed accelerometers to 531 depressed HF patients, and 222 (42%) returned them with usable data. Their median age was 64 years, 54% were women, 23% were non-White, and they walked a median of 1170 steps daily. Higher median daily step counts were associated with lower New York Heart Association class and better physical- and HF-specific HRQoL, but not mood symptoms, mental HRQoL, or LVEF. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with HF and comorbid depression are generally sedentary after hospital discharge. Although mood symptoms and LVEF were unrelated to objective PA, patients with higher step counts self-reported better HRQoL.Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02044211.

The Impact of Optimism and Pain Interference on Response to Online Behavioral Treatment for Mood and Anxiety Symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore a) if high pain interference has a negative effect on response to computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (cCBT) for anxiety and depression and b) whether high optimism can buffer the negative effects of pain interference on cCBT outcomes. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of data on 403 participants from the randomized controlled clinical trial "Online Treatment for Mood and Anxiety Disorders in Primary Care." It examined the impact of cCBT, with and without access to an Internet support group, on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), mood, and anxiety symptoms. RESULTS: High versus low pain interference had a negative effect on response to cCBT for physical HRQoL regardless of high or low optimism level (between group difference = -3.46 [-5.89 to -1.03], p = .005, or -4.06 [-6.28 to -1.85], p < .001, respectively). However, in the context of low optimism/high pain interference only negatively impacted the effect of cCBT on mental HRQoL (3.68 [0.63 to 6.73], p = .018) and anxiety symptoms (-2.61 [-4.87 to -0.35], p = .024). Although the pattern of effects was similar for depressive symptoms, the between-group differences were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: High optimism may buffer against the negative effects of pain interference on treatment response from cCBT. Primary care patients who report high pain interference yet also lack optimism may not receive as much benefit from cCBT as other groups. Furthermore, this study found an unexpected positive effect of low optimism on treatment response. For depressed and anxious patients with low pain interference, low optimism enhanced the impact of cCBT on mental HRQoL.Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01482806.

Racial Differences in the Effectiveness of Internet-Delivered Mental Health Care.

BACKGROUND: Computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (cCBT) can improve mental health outcomes in White populations; however, it is unknown whether racial and ethnic minority populations receive clinical benefits from cCBT. OBJECTIVE: To study race differences in the impact of cCBT use on mental health outcomes among White and African American primary care patients. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a three-arm randomized controlled clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Primary care physicians (PCPs) referred 2,884 patients aged 18-75; 954 met eligibility criteria (including elevated mood and/or anxiety symptoms indicated as a score ≥ 10 on Patient Health Questionnaire or Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale); 704 were randomized in 3:3:1 ratio to receive either (1) the cCBT program (cCBT-only), (2) cCBT plus access to an Internet Support Group (cCBT+ISG), or (3) their PCP's usual care (UC). After exclusions, this study analyzed 689 patients: 590 receiving cCBT, in the combined cCBT-only and cCBT+ISG groups (91 African American, 499 White), and 99 receiving UC (22 African American, 77 White). INTERVENTION(S): We used the Beating the Blues cCBT program that consisted of eight 50-min Internet-delivered interactive sessions and "homework" assignments to complete between weekly sessions. College graduate-level care coaches provided six months of remote support. MAIN MEASURE(S): After prior analyses demonstrated no effect of the ISG program, we combined the cCBT-only and cCBT+ISG groups (cCBT) to compare to UC at 6-month follow-up. Controlling for sociodemographic factors, baseline symptoms, and treatment arm, we examined race differences for impact of cCBT versus UC on the mental health-related quality-of-life (Short-form 12 Health Survey), and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) anxiety, and depression. RESULTS: Compared to UC, cCBT had no effect on quality of life (d = 0.10; p = 0.40), depression (d = - 0.19; p = 0.10), or anxiety (d = - 0.16; p = 0.18) for Whites. However, for African American patients, cCBT was associated with significant 6-month decrease in depression (d = - 0.47, p < 0.01) and anxiety scores (d = - 0.54, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: cCBT may be an efficient and scalable first step to eliminating disparities in mental health care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01482806. https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01482806?term=rollman&rank=4.

Bypassing the blues: Insomnia in the depressed post-CABG population.

BACKGROUND: BACKGROUND: Recovery from coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery often is complicated by depression and insomnia, resulting in poorer health-related quality of life and clinical outcomes. We explored the relationships among depression, insomnia, quality of life, and the impact of a collaborative care strategy on reducing insomnia in patients after CABG surgery. METHODS: METHODS: Patients with a Patient Health Questionnaire score ≥10 were randomized to nurse-delivered collaborative care for depression (n = 150) or their physician's usual care (n = 152). A convenience sample of patients without depression (n = 151) served as the control group. Using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale sleep questions, we created an "insomnia index." RESULTS: RESULTS: At baseline, 63% of participants who were depressed vs 12% of those who were not depressed reported insomnia. Compared with usual care, fewer collaborative care participants reported insomnia at 8 months, and they tended to have a lower insomnia score (insomnia index change score −0.95 and −1.47, respectively; P = .05) with no time-by- randomization interaction, Cohen's d = 0.22 (95% confidence interval, −0.001 to 0.43). Participants with baseline insomnia reported greater improvements in mental health­related quality of life (Medical Outcomes Survey 36-item Short Form Mental Component Summary score; −3.32, P = .02), but insomnia was not a significant moderator of the effect of collaborative care. CONCLUSIONS: CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to examine the long-term impact on insomnia among post-CABG patients treated for depression. Future collaborative care studies could consider including a therapeutic focus for insomnia.

Blended Collaborative Care to Treat Heart Failure and Comorbid Depression: Rationale and Study Design of the Hopeful Heart Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Despite numerous improvements in care, morbidity from heart failure (HF) has remained essentially unchanged in recent years. One potential reason is that depression, which is comorbid in approximately 40% of hospitalized HF patients and associated with adverse HF outcomes, often goes unrecognized and untreated. The Hopeful Heart Trial is the first study to evaluate whether a widely generalizable telephone-delivered collaborative care program for treating depression in HF patients improves clinical outcomes. METHODS: The Hopeful Heart Trial aimed to enroll 750 patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (ejection fraction ≤ 45%) including the following: (A) 625 patients who screened positive for depression both during their hospitalization (Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-2]) and two weeks following discharge (PHQ-9 ≥ 10); and (B) 125 non-depressed control patients (PHQ-2(-)/PHQ-9 < 5). We randomized depressed patients to either their primary care physician's "usual care" (UC) or to one of two nurse-delivered 12-month collaborative care programs for (a) depression and HFrEF ("blended") or (b) HrEFF alone (enhanced UC). Our co-primary hypotheses will test whether "blended" care can improve mental health-related quality of life versus UC and versus enhanced UC, respectively, on the Mental Component Summary of the Short-Form 12 Health Survey. Secondary hypotheses will evaluate the effectiveness of our interventions on mood, functional status, hospital readmissions, deaths, provision of evidence-based care for HFrEF, and treatment costs. RESULTS: Not applicable. CONCLUSIONS: The Hopeful Heart Trial will determine whether "blended" collaborative care for depression and HFrEF is more effective at improving patient-relevant outcomes than collaborative care for HFrEF alone or doctors' UC for HFrEF. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02044211.

Optimizing Outcomes of Treatment-Resistant Depression in Older Adults (OPTIMUM): Study Design and Treatment Characteristics of the First 396 Participants Randomized.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence from clinical trials comparing effectiveness and safety of pharmacological strategies in older adults unresponsive to first-line antidepressants is limited. The study, Optimizing Outcomes of Treatment-Resistant Depression in Older Adults (OPTIMUM), tests three hypotheses concerning pharmacotherapy strategies for treatment-resistant late-life depression: 1) augmentation strategies will provide greater improvement than switching monotherapies; 2) augmentation strategies will have lower tolerability and more safety concerns than switching monotherapies; and 3) age will moderate the effectiveness and safety differences between treatment strategies. The authors describe the methodology, processes for stakeholder engagement, challenges, and lessons learned in the early phases of OPTIMUM. METHODS: This pragmatic randomized clinical trial located in five North American regions will enroll 1,500 participants aged 60 years and older unresponsive to two or more antidepressant trials. The authors evaluate two strategies (medication augmentation versus switch) using four medications (aripiprazole, bupropion, lithium, and nortriptyline) via a stepwise, prespecified protocol. Primary outcomes include: 1) symptom remission (Montgomery Asberg Depression scale ≤10); 2) psychological well-being, comprising positive affect, general life satisfaction, and purpose; and 3) safety (rates of serious adverse events and prevalence of falls and fall-related injuries). RESULTS: To date, 396 participants have been randomized. The authors report on four challenges: 1) engagement and recruitment; 2) increasing polypharmacy in older adults, resulting in potentially hazardous scenarios; 3) reporting adverse events and procedure standardization across sites; and 4) dissemination of results. CONCLUSION: Solutions to these challenges, including early inclusion of stake holders, will inform future pragmatic studies in older adults with depression.

Effect of Problem-Solving Therapy Versus Supportive Management in Older Adults with Low Back Pain and Depression While on Antidepressant Pharmacotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: Testing stepped-care approaches that address both depression and low back pain are needed to optimize outcomes in older adults. METHODS: This university-based late-life depression research center assessed 227 adults aged ≥ 60 years with chronic low back pain and depression. In Phase 1 participants received 6 weeks of low-dose venlafaxine (≤150 mg/day). Nonresponders were randomized to 10 weeks of high-dose venlafaxine (up to 300 mg/day) plus problem-solving therapy (PST) or high-dose venlafaxine with supportive management. Definition of response was 2 weeks of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 ≤ 5 and ≥30% pain reduction on a numeric rating scale. Function was measured with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). RESULTS: Of those who completed Phase 1 (N = 209), 78.5% (N = 164) were nonresponders and 139 proceeded to Phase 2, with 68 randomized to venlafaxine/PST and 71 randomized to venlafaxine/supportive management. Of those in venlafaxine/PST, 41.2% (28/68) responded, and of those in venlafaxine/supportive management, 39.4% (28/71) responded. Cumulative proportion responding over time did not differ across the two arms (hazard ratio: 1.07; 95% confidence interval: 0.63-1.80). We observed clinically significant improvements in physical performance (SPPB) and disability (RMDQ) across both Phase 1 and 2, independent of intervention. Over 12 months of follow-up there was no difference between groups for stability of depression, pain, or disability. CONCLUSION: The combination of antidepressant pharmacotherapy and PST was not superior to antidepressant pharmacotherapy and supportive management. Clinically, the rates of response and stability of response over 1 year observed in both groups suggest that these approaches may have clinical utility in these chronically suffering patients.

The Association Between Increased Levels of Patient Engagement With an Internet Support Group and Improved Mental Health Outcomes at 6-Month Follow-Up: Post-Hoc Analyses From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: We recently reported that depressed and anxious primary care patients randomized to a moderated internet support group (ISG) plus computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (cCBT) did not experience improvements in depression and anxiety over cCBT alone at 6-month follow-up. OBJECTIVE: The 1% rule posits that 1% of participants in online communities generate approximately 90% of new user-created content. The aims of this study were to apply the 1% rule to categorize patient engagement with the ISG and identify whether any patient subgroups benefitted from ISG use. METHODS: We categorized the 302 patients randomized to the ISG as: superusers (3/302, 1.0%), top contributors (30/302, 9.9%), contributors (108/302, 35.8%), observers (87/302, 28.8%) and those who never logged in (74/302, 24.5%). We then applied linear mixed models to examine associations between engagement and 6-month changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL; Short Form Health Survey Mental Health Component, SF-12 MCS) and depression and anxiety symptoms (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System, PROMIS). RESULTS: At baseline, participant mean age was 42.6 years, 81.1% (245/302) were female, and mean Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), and SF-12 MCS scores were 13.4, 12.6, and 31.7, respectively. Of the 75.5% (228/302) who logged in, 61.8 % (141/228) created ≥1 post (median 1, interquartile range, IQR 0-5); superusers created 42.3 % (630/1488) of posts (median 246, IQR 78-306), top contributors created 34.6% (515/1488; median 11, IQR 10-18), and contributors created 23.1 % (343/1488; median 3, IQR 1-5). Compared to participants who never logged in, the combined superuser + top contributor subgroup (n=33) reported 6-month improvements in anxiety (PROMIS: -11.6 vs -7.8; P=.04) and HRQoL (SF-12 MCS: 16.1 vs 10.1; P=.01) but not in depression. No other subgroup reported significant symptom improvements. CONCLUSIONS: Patient engagement with the ISG was more broadly distributed than predicted by the 1% rule. The 11% of participants with the highest engagement levels reported significant improvements in anxiety and HRQoL. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01482806; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01482806 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/708Bjlge9).

Telephone-Delivered Stepped Collaborative Care for Treating Anxiety in Primary Care: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Collaborative care for depression is more effective in improving treatment outcomes than primary care physicians' (PCPs) usual care (UC). However, few trials of collaborative care have targeted anxiety. OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact and 12-month durability of a centralized, telephone-delivered, stepped collaborative care intervention (CC) for treating anxiety disorders across a network of primary care practices. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial with blinded outcome assessments. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 329 patients aged 18-64 referred by their PCPs in response to an electronic medical record (EMR) prompt. They include 250 highly anxious patients randomized to either CC or to UC, and 79 moderately anxious patients who were triaged to a watchful waiting (WW) cohort and later randomized if their conditions clinically deteriorated. INTERVENTION: Twelve months of telephone-delivered CC involving non-mental health professionals who provided patients with basic psycho-education, assessed preferences for guideline-based pharmacotherapy, monitored treatment responses, and informed PCPs of their patients' care preferences and progress via the EMR. MAIN MEASURES: Mental health-related quality of life ([HRQoL]; SF-36 MCS); secondary outcomes: anxiety (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale [SIGH-A], Panic Disorder Severity Scale) and mood (PHQ-9). KEY RESULTS: At 12-month follow-up, highly anxious patients randomized to CC reported improved mental HRQoL (effect size [ES]: 0.38 [95 % CI: 0.13-0.63]; P = 0.003), anxiety (SIGH-A ES: 0.30 [0.05-0.55]; P = 0.02), and mood (ES: 0.45 [0.19-0.71] P = 0.001) versus UC. These improvements were sustained for 12 months among African-Americans (ES: 0.70-1.14) and men (ES: 0.43-0.93). Of the 79 WW patients, 29 % met severity criteria for randomization, and regardless of treatment assignment, WW patients reported fewer anxiety and mood symptoms and better mental HRQoL over the full 24-month follow-up period than highly anxious patients who were randomized at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Telephone-delivered, centralized, stepped CC improves mental HRQoL, anxiety and mood symptoms. These improvements were durable and particularly evident among those most anxious at baseline, and among African-Americans and men.

Value-based financially sustainable behavioral health components in patient-centered medical homes.

Because a high percentage of primary care patients have behavioral problems, patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs) that wish to attain true comprehensive whole-person care will find ways to integrate behavioral health services into their structure. Yet in today's health care environment, the incorporation of behavioral services into primary care is exceptional rather than usual practice. In this article, we discuss the components considered necessary to provide sustainable, value-added integrated behavioral health care in the PCMH. These components are to: (1) combine medical and behavioral benefits into one payment pool; (2) target complex patients for priority behavioral health care; (3) use proactive onsite behavioral "teams;" (4) match behavioral professional expertise to the need for treatment escalation inherent in stepped care; (5) define, measure, and systematically pursue desired outcomes; (6) apply evidence-based behavioral treatments; and (7) use cross-disciplinary care managers in assisting the most complicated and vulnerable. By adopting these 7 components, PCHMs will augment their ability to achieve improved health in their patients at lower cost in a setting that enhances ease of access to commonly needed services.

Predictors of Use and Drop Out From a Web-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program and Health Community for Depression and Anxiety in Primary Care Patients: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: A previously reported study examined the treatment of primary care patients with at least moderate severity depressive or anxiety symptoms via an evidence-based computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (CCBT) program (Beating the Blues) and an online health community (OHC) that included a moderated internet support group. The 2 treatment arms proved to be equally successful at 6-month follow-up. OBJECTIVE: Although highly promising, e-mental health treatment programs have encountered high rates of noninitiation, poor adherence, and discontinuation. Identifying ways to counter these tendencies is critical for their success. To further explore these issues, this study identified the primary care patient characteristics that increased the chances patients would not initiate the use of an intervention, (ie, not try it even once), initiate use, and go on to discontinue or continue to use an intervention. METHODS: The study had 3 arms: one received access to CCBT (n=301); another received CCBT plus OHC (n=302), which included a moderated internet support group; and the third received usual care (n=101). Participants in the 2 active intervention arms of the study were grouped together for analyses of CCBT use (n=603) because both arms had access to CCBT, and there were no differences in outcomes between the 2 arms. Analyses of OHC use were based on 302 participants who were randomized to that arm. RESULTS: Several baseline patient characteristics were associated with failure to initiate the use of CCBT, including having worse physical health (measured by the Short Form Health Survey Physical Components Score, P=.01), more interference from pain (by the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Pain Interference score, P=.048), less formal education (P=.02), and being African American or another US minority group (P=.006). Characteristics associated with failure to initiate use of the OHC were better mental health (by the Short Form Health Survey Mental Components Score, P=.04), lower use of the internet (P=.005), and less formal education (P=.001). Those who initiated the use of the CCBT program but went on to complete less of the program had less formal education (P=.01) and lower severity of anxiety symptoms (P=.03). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that several patient characteristics predicted whether a patient was likely to not initiate use or discontinue the use of CCBT or OHC. These findings have clear implications for actionable areas that can be targeted during initial and ongoing engagement activities designed to increase patient buy-in, as well as increase subsequent use and the resulting success of eHealth programs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01482806; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01482806.

Psychosocial predictors of health behavior adherence in heart-failure patients with comorbid depression: a secondary analysis of the Hopeful Heart trial.

BACKGROUND: Depression affects 20-30% of individuals with heart failure (HF), and it is associated with worse health outcomes independent of disease severity. One potential explanation is the adverse impact of depression on HF patients' adherence to the health behaviors needed to self-manage their condition. The aim of this study is to identify characteristics associated with lower adherence in this population, which could help to recognize individuals at higher risk and eventually tailor health behavior interventions to their needs. METHODS: Using data from a randomized, controlled, collaborative care treatment trial in 629 patients with HF and comorbid depression, we performed mixed effects logistic regression analyses to examine the cross-sectional and prospective relationships between medical and psychosocial variables and health behavior adherence, including adherence to medications, a low-sodium diet, and physician appointments. RESULTS: In cross-sectional analyses, married marital status and higher physical health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were associated with greater overall adherence (compared to married, single Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.46, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.26-0.80; other OR = 0.60, CI = 0.38-0.94; p = .012. Physical HRQoL OR = 1.02, CI = 1.00-1.04, p = .047). Prospectively, greater levels of social support were associated with improved overall adherence one year later (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.00-1.08, p = .037). Social support, HF symptom severity, race and ethnicity, and age were predictors of specific types of adherence. Neither depression nor optimism was significantly associated with adherence outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide important preliminary information about risk factors for poor adherence in patients with both HF and depression, which could, in turn, contribute to the development of interventions to promote adherence in this high-risk population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02044211 ; registered 1/21/2014.

Characteristics and engagement among English-language online forums for addiction recovery available in the US.

In developing public resources for the Networks Enhancing Addiction Recovery - Forum Activity Roadmap (NEAR-FAR), we completed a systematic observational study of English-language online forums related to recovery from alcohol or other drug addiction in late 2021. Among 207 identified forums, the majority were classified as "general addiction" or alcohol-focused, though classifications related to other substances were common on websites hosting multiple forums. Commonly used social media platforms such as Reddit, Facebook, or Quora offered easily accessible venues for individuals seeking online support related to a variety of substances. Forums were related to established recovery programs such as 12-step and SMART Recovery as well as other nonprofit and for-profit recovery programs, and to community forums without formal recovery programming. Among 148 forums with any observed user activity, the median time between unique user engagements was 27 days (inter-quartile range: 2-74). Among 98 forums with past-month posting activity, we found a median of <10 posts per week (inter-quartile range: 1-78). This study compares three metrics of observed forum activity (posts per week, responses per post, time between unique user engagements) and operationalizes forum characteristics that may potentiate opportunities for enhanced engagement and social support in addiction recovery.