Adapted Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Depression in Patients With Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Cognitive behavioral therapy for major depressive disorder (MDD) was adapted for individuals with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) (CBT-TBI). A structured, treatment manual was developed.

The primary aim is to evaluate the acceptability and tolerability of, and adherence to, CBT-TBI in a randomized waitlist-controlled, 12-week pilot trial (N=40).

The exploratory aim is to evaluate the potential efficacy of CBT-TBI for MDD in the randomized pilot trial (N=40) and possible moderators and mediators of outcome.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Traumatic Brain Injury; Major Depressive Disorder
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for individuals with TBI; Other: Waitlist Control

Detailed Description

The primary aim of this study is to develop a highly acceptable, manualized treatment (CBT-TBI) for MDD in patients with moderate to severe TBI. Initial feasibility data from a small, open pilot will inform the randomized controlled trial. Primary analyses will examine feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. The investigators will then pilot test the efficacy of the intervention to reduce depressive symptoms (IDS-C) after 12 weeks compared to a waitlist control group.

The proposed study involves the following points of contact: (1) Obtaining informed consent and screening (may be broken up into multiple visits), (2) biweekly clinician assessments of depressive and neuropsychiatric symptoms (weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10), (3) weekly self-report assessments of depressive symptoms for those receiving the intervention, (4) 12 weekly individual CBT-TBI sessions for those randomized to the intervention, (5) a comprehensive assessment at week 12 (primary endpoint), which includes the neuropsychological battery, and (6) a 3-month follow-up assessment for those who received the intervention. The week 12 visit can be split into two parts, with the neuropsychological assessment occurring during the second part, in order to accommodate subjects' potential limitations due to fatigue. Procedures for this study were all conducted remotely after March 17, 2020.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 62
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Massachusetts
    • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114
      • Massachusetts General Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adults aged 18 and older
2. English language proficiency
3. Ability to provide written, informed consent; OR consent provided by legally authorized representative with assent from subject
4. Ability to see and hear (hearing or visual loss cannot impair ADLs or in-room conversation)
5. Has access to a smartphone/tablet/computer with internet and video capabilities for virtual sessions
6. Having been hospitalized for moderate to severe TBI that occurred at least 3 months prior to study entry

7. Meeting ANY ONE of the following severity criteria, as documented in electronic medical record (EPIC) or available outside records:

   1. GCS 3-12 with GCS motor score ≤ 5 within 4 hours after injury
   2. GCS 3-12 with GCS motor score =6 within 4 hours after injury AND documented intracranial abnormalities on imaging
   3. GCS 13-15 within 4 hours after injury AND documented intracranial abnormalities on imaging
   4. Loss of consciousness (LOC) > 30 min.
   5. Post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) > 24 hours
8. Out of PTA at the time of enrollment (GOAT>75)
9. Clinically significant depressive symptoms: meets criteria for Major Depressive Episode on the MINI or has a total score ≥ 23 on the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - Clinician rated (IDS-C)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Uncontrolled medical illness
2. Behavioral dyscontrol, defined as the presence of verbally or physically aggressive behavior in the past month, as evidenced in medical records, pre-screening interviews, or observed by any study staff
3. Presents with PTSD as the primary diagnosis, as determined by a clinician
4. Substance use disorder, moderate or severe, within the past 6 months
5. Has bipolar disorder, a primary psychotic disorder or current psychotic symptoms, or acute suicidality or homicidality
6. Currently receiving regular (≥ 2 times/ mo.) psychosocial treatment for depression
7. Has participated in CBT for depression within the past 6 months
8. Individuals with history of dementia or severe cognitive impairment that is not related to TBI (e.g., cognitive impairment requiring assistance with basic activities of daily living, such as getting ready in the morning)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Active Group; Participants who are randomized to begin the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for individuals with TBI immediately after screening. This treatment is a version of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) adapted specifically for patients who have experienced a moderate to severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).	Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for individuals with TBI; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for depression that has been adapted for a population who has experienced a moderate to severe Traumatic Brain Injury. This is a 12 week long treatment for depression with weekly visits that challenges negative thoughts and behaviors. This version has been specifically developed for the study to account for specific cognitive needs of individuals who have experienced a moderate to severe TBI.
Other: Waitlist Control; Participants who are randomized to be put on a waitlist after screening. After 12 weeks of being on the waitlist, participants will be offered the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for individuals with TBI	Other: Waitlist Control; Participants will be randomized to a waitlist. They will attend biweekly study sessions for 12 weeks to track progress, but will receive their treatment as usual.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Feasibility - retention/completion rates	For examining the feasibility of treatment with CBT-TBI, descriptive analyses will be conducted to assess participants' retention/completion rates across study visits.	12 weeks
Feasibility - drop out rates	For examining the feasibility of treatment with CBT-TBI, descriptive analyses will be conducted to assess participants' drop-out rates across study visits.	12 weeks
Feasibility - randomization, recruitment rates	For examining the feasibility of treatment with CBT-TBI, descriptive analyses will be conducted to assess rate of recruitment and randomization (number randomized/number consented).	12 weeks
Acceptability - satisfaction with treatment	Descriptive analyses will be conducted to assess participants' satisfaction with CBT-TBI (Satisfaction with Therapy and Therapist Scale - Revised).	12 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Efficacy - Treatment Response [Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - Clinician Rated (IDS-C)] (Exploratory Aim)	The IDS-C is a 30-item clinician rated scale that assesses severity of depression. Scores range from 0 to 84, with higher scores indicative of greater depression severity. Descriptive analyses will be performed for percentage of responders (defined as 50% improvement on the IDS-C total) and remitters (≤6 on IDS-C total) at the end of treatment. The percent of responders and remitters in each group will be computed in order to estimate an effect size for a larger trial.	12 weeks
Efficacy - Treatment Response [Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - Clinician Rated (IDS-C)] (Exploratory Aim)	The IDS-C is a 30-item clinician rated scale that assesses severity of depression. Scores range from 0 to 84, with higher scores indicative of greater depression severity. Change in depressive severity (IDS-C total) scores from baseline to post-treatment will also be analyzed.	12 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital
• Collaborators: Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Bae S, Kamynina E, Guetterman HM, Farinola AF, Caudill MA, Berry RJ, Cassano PA, Stover PJ. Provision of folic acid for reducing arsenic toxicity in arsenic-exposed children and adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Oct 18;10(10):CD012649. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012649.pub2.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 23, 2017
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 18, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): November 28, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 4, 2017
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 10, 2017
• First Posted (Actual): October 11, 2017

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 10, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 5, 2023
• Last Verified: April 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Mood Disorders; Craniocerebral Trauma; Trauma, Nervous System; Depressive Disorder; Brain Injuries; Wounds and Injuries; Brain Injuries, Traumatic; Depressive Disorder, Major
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2016P002823

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No