Pilot Study of a Behavioral Program for Resident Depression in Skilled Nursing Facilities (BRISK-I)

June 15, 2026 updated by: Evan Plys, Massachusetts General Hospital

Building Resilience in Skilled Nursing Care: Open Pilot for a Behavioral Health Intervention

The goal of this clinical trial is to test a behavioral health program (Interventions for Stressful Transitions in Later Life, InSTILL, for Individuals) for skilled nursing facility residents. The main questions it aims to answer is whether the program is program is feasible, satisfactory, and helpful. Participants will join 6 bi-weekly sessions of the InSTILL program. Participants will complete assessments at three timepoints (all) and a brief-exit interview.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
20

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.
  • Name: BRISK Study Coordinator
  • Phone Number: 617-643-9406
  • Email: brisk@mgb.org

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Massachusetts
      • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114
        • Recruiting
        • Massachusetts General Hospital
        • Contact:
          • BRISK Study Coordinator
          • Phone Number: 617-643-9406
          • Email: brisk@mgb.org

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Psychological distress, as indicated by a score Patient Health Questionnaire- 2 ≥ 2 OR Patient Health Questionnaire-9 ≥ 5
  • 5+ chronic conditions based on Elixhauser Comorbidity Index
  • Aged ≥ 18 years
  • Able and willing to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Intended length of SNF stay < 7 days
  • More than mild cognitive impairment, as indicted by Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) <13
  • Participant's roommate is already enrolled in study/intervention
  • High risk of suicide/active documented SI per the PHQ-9, item 9 or otherwise
  • Participation in newly initiated psychotherapy

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: InSTILL for Individuals
Participants in this arm will participate in the Interventions for Stressful Transitions in Later Life (InSTILL), a behavioral health intervention tailored to the needs of short stay nursing facility residents. InSTILL for Individuals includes 6 sessions (2x per week for about 3 weeks) delivered in person or remotely.
Behavioral: Interventions for Stressful Transitions in Later Life (InSTILL) for Individuals
The Interventions for Stressful Transitions in Later Life (InSTILL) intervention is for skilled nursing facility residents experiencing elevated levels of psychological distress. The intervention is designed to improve life management skills and emotion regulation skill with the goal of reducing depression symptoms.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Mean Total Score Treatment Credibility
Time Frame: After session 1 of intervention, an average of 1 week after baseline
3-item self-report measure of participant's belief regarding how helpful the intervention will be for them. Higher scores (min = 0, max = 30) scores indicate greater credibility.
After session 1 of intervention, an average of 1 week after baseline
Mean Total Score Client Satisfaction Questionnaire
Time Frame: Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline
3-item self-report measure assessing patient satisfaction with the program. Higher total scores (min = 3, max = 12) indicate greater satisfaction.
Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline
Percentage of Eligible Participants Enrolled
Time Frame: Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline
Percentage of eligible approached individuals that are enrolled into the study.
Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline
Percentage of Participants with Missing Data
Time Frame: 4 weeks after post-intervention
Percentage of all participants with no measure fully missing at 4-week follow-up.
4 weeks after post-intervention
Attendance Rate
Time Frame: Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline
Percentage of participants completing 4/6 sessions of the intervention.
Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline
Clinician Fidelity
Time Frame: Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline
Percentage of InSTILL sessions delivered with 100% adherence on a study-specific Fidelity Checklist, based on those randomly sampled to be assessed.
Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline
Number of Adverse Events
Time Frame: 4 weeks after post-intervention
Number of adverse events related to participation in the study.
4 weeks after post-intervention
Treatment Acceptability Survey
Time Frame: Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline
Percentage of participants scoring above the scale midpoint on all Treatment Acceptability Survey items (developed for the current study).
Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline
Percentage of Participants Meeting Participant Comprehension Criterion
Time Frame: Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline
Percentage of participants scoring 7+ on a single-item cognitive load question (min=0, max=10)
Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Patient Health Questionnaire-9
Time Frame: Baseline; Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline; 4 weeks after post-intervention
9-item self-report measure of depression symptoms. Higher scores (min=0, max=27) indicate greater depressive symptoms.
Baseline; Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline; 4 weeks after post-intervention
Selection, Optimization, and Compensation (SOC) in Everyday Use
Time Frame: Baseline; Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline; 4 weeks after post-intervention
4-item self-report measure of the application of selection, optimization, and compensation strategies in daily life. Items are averaged for a composite score, with higher scores indicate greater SOC strategy use (Range = 1-6).
Baseline; Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline; 4 weeks after post-intervention
Committed Action Questionnaire
Time Frame: Baseline; Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline; 4 weeks after post-intervention
8-item self-report measure of pursuit of valued goals despite challenges and difficulties. Higher scores indicate greater use and effectiveness of emotional regulation skills (Range = 0-48).
Baseline; Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline; 4 weeks after post-intervention
General Anxiety Disorder-7
Time Frame: Baseline; Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline; 4 weeks after post-intervention
7-item self-report measure of anxiety symptoms. Higher scores indicate higher levels of anxiety symptoms (Range = 0-21).
Baseline; Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline; 4 weeks after post-intervention
Euro QoL-5D 5L
Time Frame: Baseline; Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline; 4 weeks after post-intervention
6-item self-report measure of subjective health-related quality of life. Higher scores indicate worse health-related quality of life (Range = 5-25). The scale also includes a separately scored single-item global health indicator, asked on a 0-100 scale with higher scores indicate higher subjective health-related quality of life.
Baseline; Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline; 4 weeks after post-intervention
COREQ
Time Frame: Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline
4-item self-report of nursing facility satisfaction. Higher averaged scores indicate greater facility satisfaction (Range = 1-5).
Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline
University of Washington Resilience Scale Short Form
Time Frame: Baseline; Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline; 4 weeks after post-intervention
4-item self-report of an individual's perceived resilience. Summed scores will be converted to T-scores using a conversion table.
Baseline; Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline; 4 weeks after post-intervention
Psychotropic medication use
Time Frame: Baseline; Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline; 4 weeks after post-intervention
Chart or self reported psychotropic medication use. Patients will self-report changes to medication, including dosage, at post-intervention and follow-up
Baseline; Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline; 4 weeks after post-intervention
Re-hospitalization
Time Frame: Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline; 4 weeks after post-intervention
Resident re-hospitalization during the study period
Post intervention, an average of 4 weeks after baseline; 4 weeks after post-intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Massachusetts General Hospital

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Evan Plys, PhD, Massachusetts General Hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
November 17, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
October 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 31, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
June 9, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 15, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
June 17, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 17, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 15, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 2024P001945B

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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