Trial results for a study investigating a bundled intervention for depression and anxiety in older adults undergoing cardiac procedures were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2026-04-09, with 105 participants enrolled.
Background
Depression and anxiety are significant concerns for older adults, particularly those undergoing cardiac surgery. These mental health conditions can complicate recovery, impact quality of life, and potentially affect long-term outcomes in this vulnerable patient population. Addressing these symptoms effectively is crucial for comprehensive patient care. This study aimed to evaluate a bundled intervention combining behavioral activation and medication optimization as a potential strategy to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in this specific demographic, comparing it against usual care.
Trial design
This completed study, designated as Phase NA, enrolled 105 participants. The trial investigated conditions including Cardiac Surgery, Older Adults, Depression, and Anxiety. The study tested a bundled intervention comprised of behavioral activation and medication optimization. While specific primary outcomes were not detailed in the data, the trial's objective was to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. The intervention was compared against a Control (Treatment as Usual) arm.
Key results
The trial reported key measurements for the PHQ-ADS (Patient Health Questionnaire-Anxiety and Depression Scale) across both groups:
- For the Behavioral Activation and Medication Optimization group, the least squares mean PHQ-ADS scores were:
- 18.39 (Standard Error 1.15) points
- 12.33 (Standard Error 1.21) points
- 9.72 (Standard Error 1.23) points
- For the Control (Treatment as Usual) group, the least squares mean PHQ-ADS scores were:
- 18.59 (Standard Error 1.16) points
- 11.67 (Standard Error 1.19) points
- 12.60 (Standard Error 1.20) points
What this means
The reported results indicate that the bundled intervention of behavioral activation and medication optimization led to a lower PHQ-ADS score in the intervention group (9.72 points) compared to the control group (12.60 points) at the final reported measurement. Given that lower PHQ-ADS scores suggest reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, these findings suggest that this bundled approach may offer a beneficial strategy for managing mental health symptoms in older adults undergoing cardiac procedures. Further research with statistical analyses would be needed to confirm these preliminary observations.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT05575128, titled "Behavioral Activation and Medication Optimization In Older Adults Undergoing Cardiac Procedures", were posted on 2026-04-09 on clinicaltrials.gov.