Trial results for a study evaluating a bundled intervention for Depression and Anxiety in older adults undergoing orthopedic surgery were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2026-04-09, showing the intervention group achieved a least squares mean PHQ-ADS score of 16.84 points at one measurement point, compared to 19.35 points in the control group.

Background

Depression and anxiety are significant concerns for older adults, particularly when facing major medical events like orthopedic surgery. These conditions can impact recovery, quality of life, and overall surgical outcomes. Addressing mental health proactively in the perioperative period is crucial for improving patient well-being and potentially facilitating better physical recovery. Current approaches often involve standard care, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to support this vulnerable population.

Trial design

This completed study, with a phase of NA, enrolled 116 participants. The trial focused on older adults undergoing Orthopedic Surgery who also experienced Depression and Anxiety. The study tested the effectiveness of a bundled intervention, which included behavioral activation and medication optimization, against a control group receiving usual care. The primary aim was to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, as measured by the PHQ-ADS (Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety and Depression Scale).

Key results

The trial results reported several least squares mean scores for the PHQ-ADS (Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety and Depression Scale) across the intervention and control groups:

What this means

The posted trial results suggest that a bundled intervention combining behavioral activation and medication optimization may be beneficial for older adults experiencing depression and anxiety in the context of orthopedic surgery. Across multiple measurements of the PHQ-ADS, the intervention group consistently demonstrated lower least squares mean scores compared to the control group receiving usual care. For instance, one measurement showed the intervention group with a score of 16.84 points versus 19.35 points in the control group, indicating a reduction in symptom severity. Another measurement similarly showed scores of 11.26 points for the intervention group compared to 13.09 points for control, and a third measurement showed 9.08 points versus 10.48 points. These findings imply that integrating targeted mental health support, such as behavioral activation and medication optimization, into perioperative care could lead to improved mental health outcomes for this patient population.

Source

The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT05697835, titled "Perioperative Mental Health in Orthopedic Surgery", were posted on 2026-04-09 on clinicaltrials.gov.