Completed

Drug Treatment of Depression in the Nursing Home Aged

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What is being collected

Data Collection

Collected from today forward - Prospective
Who is being recruted

Mental Disorders
+2

+ Behavioral Symptoms
+ Depression
Over 65 Years
See all eligibility criteria
How is the trial designed

Cohort

Tracking disease incidence in order to identify risk factors and understand disease progression over time.
Observational
Study Start: November 2003
See protocol details

Summary

Principal SponsorUniversity of Pennsylvania
Last updated: January 13, 2026
Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner
Study start date: November 1, 2003Actual date on which the first participant was enrolled.

There are approximately 1.6 million nursing home residents in the United States. More than one third of these residents are taking antidepressant medications (ADs). Although ADs are effective, evidence suggests that they can lead to significant adverse events, including an increased risk of falls and bone fractures. Many depressed nursing home residents suffer from an initial episode of late-life depression and do not meet guideline-based recommendations for maintenance treatment. This study will examine the benefits and risks of long-term AD treatment in depressed nursing home residents whose single episode of depression has been in continuous remission for at least six months. Participants will be randomly assigned to either continue or discontinue AD treatment. Participants will be monitored over a period of one year for recurrence of depression and related symptoms, as well as for the occurrence of falls, fractures, and other adverse events. Medical chart review, self-reported mood symptoms, and depression scales will be used to assess participants.

Official TitleDrug Treatment of Depression in the Nursing Home Aged 
NCT00076622
Principal SponsorUniversity of Pennsylvania
Last updated: January 13, 2026
Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Protocol

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.
Design Details
94 patients to be enrolledTotal number of participants that the clinical trial aims to recruit.
Cohort
These studies follow a group of individuals with common characteristics (such as a condition or birth year) over a specific period to study health outcomes or exposures.

How participants are selected
Participants are chosen using a random method, so everyone has a known and fair chance of being selected. This approach helps ensure the results reflect the broader population.
Another way to select participants is through a non-probability sample, where participants are selected without randomization, often based on availability or willingness to take part.

How information is collected
Researchers start collecting data from the present day forward, following participants over time to observe outcomes. This approach helps identify how exposures or behaviors may lead to health events in the future.

Other Ways to Collect Data
Retrospective: These studies use existing medical records or past data.
Cross-sectional: These studies collect data at one single point in time.
Others: Some studies use a mix of approaches or less common designs depending on the research goal.

Eligibility

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria: person's general health condition or prior treatments.
Conditions
Criteria
Any sexBiological sex of participants that are eligible to enroll.
Over 65 YearsRange of ages for which participants are eligible to join.
Healthy volunteers not allowedIf individuals who are healthy and do not have the condition being studied can participate.
Conditions
Pathology
Mental Disorders
Behavioral Symptoms
Depression
Depressive Disorder
Mood Disorders
Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Current use of antidepressant medication * Have been in remission from first episode of depression for 6 months or longer * Currently residing in a long term care or assisted living facility Exclusion Criteria: * Bedridden * Severe cognitive impairment

Study Plan

Find out more about all the medication administered in this study, their detailed description and what they involve.
Study Objectives
Study Objectives
Primary Objectives

The GDS scale measures presence and severity of depressive symptoms in older adults. Scores range from zero (no depression symptoms) to thirty (severe depression symptoms).

Secondary Objectives

The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) measures cognitive function in multiple domains, including memory, orientation, language, and executive function. Scores range from zero (severe cognitive impairment) to thirty (intact cognitive function).

Study Centers

These are the hospitals, clinics, or research facilities where the trial is being conducted. You can find the location closest to you and its status.
This study has 1 location
Suspended
University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, United StatesSee the location
CompletedOne Study Center