Assess Improvement of Suicide Ideation by the Empower Veteran Program using PHQ-9 Open Access
Chen, Shiyu (Spring 2020)
Published
Abstract
Background: For veterans undergoing major depression, the Empower Veteran Program (EVP) is a 10-week program which provides better access and self-care training than traditional therapy. However, the effect of this intervention program has not been evaluated. In addition, it is unknown who would benefit most from this program. The objective of the study is to focus on the PHQ-9 data to assess the impact of the EVP program based on before and after survey results.
Methods: A total of 639 Veteran patients enrolled in Week 1 or 2 of the EVP’s 10-week program through the Atlanta VA Health Care System (AVAHCS). Demographic and baseline descriptive statistics from the baseline Quality Improvement (QI) clinical assessment were summarized stratified by subjects who completed at least 8 weeks of the 10-week program (Completers) and those who did not complete at least 8 weeks of the program (non-completers). The nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is shown to be a reliable and validated measure of depression severity. A random intercept mixed linear model and fixed effect multiple linear regression model were used for analyzing the impact of EVP program on PHQ-9 measurement.
Results: Veterans enrolling in the EVP program had more serious mental health illnesses compared to a normal population, as indicated by a larger mean score of Quality Improvement (QI) assessments. Completers and non-completers were significantly different for some assessments (pvalue< 0.05). Comparing the PHQ-9 data pre and post completion, the EVP significantly reduced the PHQ-9 scores. Women veterans benefited more than men veterans from the EVP. In addition, EVP showed different impact on patients with different symptoms of depression at week 1. Comparing the baseline PHQ-9 total scores to the endline PHQ-9 scores, greater change in the total score was observed among participants with higher level depression. This suggests that veterans who have more severe depression likely benefit the most from EVP.
Conclusion: EVP generated meaningful improvements for veterans who are suffering from chronic pain based on the PHQ-9 survey. Female veterans benefitted more in terms of depression symptoms than their male counterparts. Moreover, veterans who had more severe depression at baseline, benefited the most from EVP.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. METHODS
2.1 PATIENT POPULATION AND DATA COLLECTION
2.2 Statistical Analysis
2.2.1 Descriptive Analysis
2.2.2 Correlation among the Baseline Quality Improvement (QI) Assessments
2.2.3 PHQ-9 measurement Assessment over the 10 - week EVP
3. RESULTS
3.1 STUDY POPULATION
4. DISCUSSION
REFERENCE
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