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A short intervention targeting psychosomatic care in older adults with complex health care needs–results of a randomized controlled trial
Author(s) -
Wild Beate,
Herzog Wolfgang,
Schellberg Dieter,
Böhlen Friederike,
Brenner Hermann,
Saum KaiUwe,
Maatouk Imad
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.5017
Subject(s) - randomized controlled trial , intervention (counseling) , medicine , gerontology , health care , psychotherapist , psychology , psychiatry , economics , economic growth
Objective The aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to assess the efficacy of a short intervention targeting psychosomatic care in older adults with complex health care needs. Methods Participants were recruited in the frame of the 11‐year follow‐up of a large population‐based study by means of the INTERMED interview. The INTERMED interview is an integrative assessment method to identify bio‐psycho‐social health care needs. Persons with high health care needs (interview score ≥ 17) were invited to take part. Participants were randomized with a 1:1 ratio to a control and an intervention group. The intervention group received a home visit conducted by a doctor trained in psychosomatic medicine. The primary hypothesis stated that the intervention group would have a better outcome with respect to health related quality of life (HRQOL) measured by the 12‐item short‐form health survey (mental component score, MCS) 6 months after randomization (T1). Secondary outcomes were physical HRQOL, health care needs, depression, anxiety, and somatic symptom severity. Results In total, 175 participants were included. At the three‐year follow‐up (T2), 97 participants (55.4%) were included. At T1, we did not find a difference regarding MCS between the intervention and control groups. At T2, the intervention group showed significantly lower health care needs compared with the control group. Regarding HRQOL, depression, and somatic symptom severity the two groups did not differ at T2. Conclusions The primary hypothesis was not confirmed. However, results indicate that a short intervention with complex patients could lead to reduced bio‐psycho‐social health care needs.