A Study of Brief Behavioral Activation for the Treatment of Depression in Older Adult Cancer Survivors

Brief Behavioral Activation for the Treatment of Depression in Older Adult Cancer Survivors

The purpose of this study is to find out if a psychotherapy method called behavioral activation (BA) can be successfully delivered by telephone or videoconference (remotely) and can effectively treat depression in Older Adult Cancer Survivors (OACS)

Inclusion Criteria:

• As per self-report or medical record, ≥65 years old

• As per self-report or medical record, has a history of cancer

• As per medical record and/or clinician confirmation:

  • a patient in MSK Survivorship Clinics AND/OR
  • no evidence of disease (NED) AND/OR
  • 6 months or more post-treatment (patients on maintenance hormonal therapies are eligible)

• Fluent in English, as per self-reported fluency of "well" or "very well"*

• As per self-report, able to communicate over video-conference and/or phone for sessions

• Elevated score on the PHQ-9: ≥5 (N/A for Training Case participants)

• Received a Blessed Orientation-Memory-Concentration Scale (BOMC) score of ≤ 11 (N/A for Training Case participants)

Exclusion Criteria:

• As per PI determination, requires a higher level of care for current passive or active suicidal ideation than current protocol is able to provide. If a participant receives a score of > 0 on item 9 of the PHQ-9, they will be referred to study PI for further evaluation. They will be excluded from participation in this study if the PI determines they would be appropriate for a higher level of care than BA may be able to provide.
• As per self-report or as documented in the medical record, current untreated (e.g., no medication, no therapy) major psychotic disorder (schizotypal personality disorder, schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder). Patients diagnosed with a major psychiatric disorder will be reviewed by the study PI to determine eligibility prior to consent.
• As per self-report or medical record, currently taking antidepressant medication for < 3 month
• As per medical record, patient has impaired decision-making capacity