StressNCT03545282
Intervention Trial to Reduce Mental Health Disparities in Latina Immigrant Women
A study testing Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA) in people with Stress and Depression, run by University of Washington at 2 sites in United States.
Trial summary
Latina immigrant women are particularly vulnerable to depression and anxiety due to the social and economic stressors they face, including high levels of poverty, low levels of education, family obligations, exposure to violence, and limited access to community resources. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Stress, Depression, Anxiety
- What is being tested?
- Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA)
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 226 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- 26 Sep 2018to 1 Jan 2022
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- To be eligible for study participation, participants must be at least 18 years of age, female, speak Spanish, must self-identify as Latina, and have been born outside of the United States.
Who cannot join
- Participant screened for high levels of depressive symptoms (as indicated by a score of 20 or higher on the PHQ-9) which indicates severe symptoms. Participants with scores above 20 were referred to the licensed mental health counselor on the study team. If these women are not already receiving mental health treatment, they will be referred to mental health providers offering low-cost services in Spanish. The counselor will discuss participation in the program with the potential participants and make the final determination about their ability to participate based on the care they are currently receiving and the severity of their symptoms.
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country.
United States2 sites
Casa Latina
Seattle, Washington, 98144
El Centro de la Raza
Seattle, Washington, 98144
About this study
Official title: ALMA: A Randomized Control Trial of an Intervention to Reduce Mental Health Disparities in Mexican Immigrant Women
Latina immigrant women are particularly vulnerable to depression and anxiety due to the social and economic stressors they face, including high levels of poverty, low levels of education, family obligations, exposure to violence, and limited access to community resources. ALMA aims to prevent and reduce depression and anxiety among Latina immigrant women. Women attend 8 weekly sessions in a group format to teach and encourage women to use coping strategies to reduce depression and anxiety. The intervention aims to increase participants' social ties and the social support they receive from other Latina immigrant women. The program also helps decrease the stigma associated with mental health and connects women to mental health services when needed.
Read the detailed description
The proposed study aims to test the efficacy of the Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA) intervention in a randomized control trial. ALMA is an 8-week program offered in a group format to teach women new coping strategies and enhance their social ties and social support to prevent and reduce their depression and anxiety. Aim 1 of the proposed study is to refine the ALMA intervention and study procedures, using information learned from focus groups and cognitive interviews with Mexican immigrant women. Aim 2 is to determine the efficacy of the ALMA intervention to reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms using a randomized control study design. We will recruit women from community-based organizations serving Latino immigrants to participate in the program, which will be offered in community settings. We will assess process outcomes of recruitment, retention, fidelity, and participant satisfaction through observations and in-depth interviews with participants. We will assess the efficacy of the intervention by comparing changes in women's depressive and anxiety symptoms in the intervention and attention control groups at four time points (pre-intervention, post-intervention, 6 months, 9 months). Aim 3 is to assess the potential impact of the intervention on both individual (stigma, stress, coping strategies) and interpersonal (social support, social ties) factors, and whether the impact of the intervention is mediated by these factors. The research team includes investigators in psychology, medicine, social work and public health, as well as community-based organizations serving Latina immigrants. The study uses rigorous methods to test an innovative program that integrates both culturally relevant and evidenced-based strategies to address significant mental health disparities in a high-risk and underserved population. Findings will help inform future research and practice. Given the growth of the Latino population, identifying interventions that reduce mental health disparities among Mexican immigrant women can have a significant public health impact.
- Conditions
- Stress, Depression, Anxiety
- Being tested
- Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA)
- Keywords
- Mental Health, Minority Health, Latina
- Medical subject headings
- Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Psychological Well-Being
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA)Behavioural
In a series of 8 weekly sessions, the program uses a group format to teach and encourage women to use coping strategies to reduce depression and anxiety. Over the course of the eight ALMA sessions, 25 women are (1) engaged in activities to identify coping strategies they are currently using and encouraged to continue to use them; (2) introduced to new coping strategies (e.g. mindfulness techniques, increased social ties and social support); and, (3) provided resources for seeking additional help if needed.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the intervention was changed to online synchronous delivery via Zoom over 6 weekly sessions.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| ALMA Intervention Group | Experimental | Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA). This group receives the intervention after baseline assessment. Receives: Behavioral: Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA) |
| ALMA Delayed Intervention Control Group | Other | Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA). This group receives the intervention five months after the baseline assessment (after the post-intervention, and 3 month assessments have been completed). Receives: Behavioral: Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Depressive Symptoms
Frequency of depressive symptoms as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 in the last two weeks. The PHQ-9 is a multipurpose instrument for screening, diagnosing, monitoring and measuring the severity of depression. Scores range from 0 to 27. In general, a total of 10 or above is suggestive of the presence of depression. Depression Severity: 0-4 none, 5-9 mild, 10-14 moderate, 15-19 moderately severe, 20-27 severe. Higher scores indicate a worse outcome.
Measured: Baseline, 2 months after baseline (post-intervention for intervention group), 4 months after baseline, and 6 months after baseline. Outcomes reported at baseline, 2 and 4 months after baseline for both intervention and control groups.
Anxiety Symptoms
Frequency of anxiety symptoms as measured by the General Anxiety Disorders 7 in the last two weeks. Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) is a self-reported questionnaire for screening and severity measuring of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Scores range from 0 to 21. Scores ≥10. Anxiety Severity: 1-4 minimal symptoms, 5-9 mild symptoms, 10-14 moderate symptoms, 15-21 severe symptoms. Higher scores indicate a worse outcome.
Measured: Baseline, 2 months after baseline (post-intervention for intervention group), 4 months after baseline, and 6 months after baseline. Outcomes reported at baseline, 2 and 4 months after baseline for both intervention and control groups.
Secondary outcomes (1)
Stress
Frequency of perceived stress in the last month. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is a classic stress assessment instrument. Individual scores on the PSS can range from 0 to 40 with higher scores indicating higher perceived stress. Scores ranging from 0-13 would be considered low stress. Scores ranging from 14-26 would be considered moderate stress. Scores ranging from 27-40 would be considered high perceived stress. Higher scores indicate worse outcomes.
Measured: Baseline, 2 months after baseline (post-intervention for intervention group), 4 months after baseline, and 6 months after baseline. Outcomes reported at baseline, 2 and 4 months after baseline for both intervention and control groups.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Jun 2018
- Study start26 Sep 2018
- Primary completion15 Dec 2021
- Study completion1 Jan 2022
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (5)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for StressStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of WashingtonThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 226 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Washington
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, India Ornelas, University of Washington
- Investigators
- India J Ornelas, PhD, MPH, Principal investigator, University of Washington
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03545282
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- STUDY00003331
- Other IDs
- R01MD012230
- Status last verified
- May 2024
- First submitted
- 11 May 2018
- Last updated
- 24 May 2024
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Abarca GJ, Tornberg-Belanger SN, Ryan D, Price C, Rao D, Ornelas IJ. Understanding the Relationship Between Social Stressors, Trauma, and Somatic Symptoms Among Latina Immigrant Women. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2023 Feb;10(1):387-394. doi: 10.1007/s40615-022-01230-9. Epub 2022 Mar 7.
PubMed 35257311Ornelas IJ, Tornberg-Belanger S, Balkus JE, Bravo P, Perez Solorio SA, Perez GE, Tran AN. Coping With COVID-19: The Impact of the Pandemic on Latina Immigrant Women's Mental Health and Well-being. Health Educ Behav. 2021 Dec;48(6):733-738. doi: 10.1177/10901981211050638. Epub 2021 Oct 21.
PubMed 34672827Ryan D, Tornberg-Belanger SN, Perez G, Maurer S, Price C, Rao D, Chan KCG, Ornelas IJ. Stress, social support and their relationship to depression and anxiety among Latina immigrant women. J Psychosom Res. 2021 Oct;149:110588. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110588. Epub 2021 Jul 30.
PubMed 34371256Ornelas IJ, Rao D, Price C, Chan G, Tran A, Aisenberg G, Perez G, Maurer S, Nelson AK. Promoting mental health in Latina immigrant women: Results from the Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma intervention trial. Soc Sci Med. 2023 Mar;321:115776. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115776. Epub 2023 Feb 16.
PubMed 36809698Ornelas IJ, Perez G, Maurer S, Gonzalez S, Childs V, Price C, Nelson AK, Perez Solorio SA, Tran A, Rao D. Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma: In-Person and Online Delivery of an Intervention to Promote Mental Health Among Latina Immigrant Women. J Integr Complement Med. 2022 Oct;28(10):821-829. doi: 10.1089/jicm.2022.0491. Epub 2022 Jun 20.
PubMed 35723668
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 May 2024. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- ALMA: A Randomized Control Trial of an Intervention to Reduce Mental Health Disparities in Mexican Immigrant Women
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03545282
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- STUDY00003331
- Conditions
- Stress, Depression, Anxiety
- Keywords
- Mental Health, Minority Health, Latina
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 226 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of WashingtonUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
- Study start
- 26 Sep 2018 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Dec 2021 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Jan 2022 (actual)
- First posted
- 4 Jun 2018 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 24 May 2024
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Latina immigrant women are particularly vulnerable to depression and anxiety due to the social and economic stressors they face, including high levels of poverty, low levels of education, family obligations, exposure to violence, and limited access to community resources. ALMA aims to prevent and reduce depression and anxiety among Latina immigrant women. Women attend 8 weekly sessions in a group format to teach and encourage women to use coping strategies to reduce depression and anxiety. The intervention aims to increase participants' social ties and the social support they receive from other Latina immigrant women. The program also helps decrease the stigma associated with mental health and connects women to mental health services when needed.
Detailed description
The proposed study aims to test the efficacy of the Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA) intervention in a randomized control trial. ALMA is an 8-week program offered in a group format to teach women new coping strategies and enhance their social ties and social support to prevent and reduce their depression and anxiety. Aim 1 of the proposed study is to refine the ALMA intervention and study procedures, using information learned from focus groups and cognitive interviews with Mexican immigrant women. Aim 2 is to determine the efficacy of the ALMA intervention to reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms using a randomized control study design. We will recruit women from community-based organizations serving Latino immigrants to participate in the program, which will be offered in community settings. We will assess process outcomes of recruitment, retention, fidelity, and participant satisfaction through observations and in-depth interviews with participants. We will assess the efficacy of the intervention by comparing changes in women's depressive and anxiety symptoms in the intervention and attention control groups at four time points (pre-intervention, post-intervention, 6 months, 9 months). Aim 3 is to assess the potential impact of the intervention on both individual (stigma, stress, coping strategies) and interpersonal (social support, social ties) factors, and whether the impact of the intervention is mediated by these factors. The research team includes investigators in psychology, medicine, social work and public health, as well as community-based organizations serving Latina immigrants. The study uses rigorous methods to test an innovative program that integrates both culturally relevant and evidenced-based strategies to address significant mental health disparities in a high-risk and underserved population. Findings will help inform future research and practice. Given the growth of the Latino population, identifying interventions that reduce mental health disparities among Mexican immigrant women can have a significant public health impact.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| ALMA Intervention Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA)Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA). This group receives the intervention after baseline assessment. |
| ALMA Delayed Intervention Control Group | Other | Behavioral: Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA)Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA). This group receives the intervention five months after the baseline assessment (after the post-intervention, and 3 month assessments have been completed). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- To be eligible for study participation, participants must be at least 18 years of age, female, speak Spanish, must self-identify as Latina, and have been born outside of the United States.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Participant screened for high levels of depressive symptoms (as indicated by a score of 20 or higher on the PHQ-9) which indicates severe symptoms. Participants with scores above 20 were referred to the licensed mental health counselor on the study team. If these women are not already receiving mental health treatment, they will be referred to mental health providers offering low-cost services in Spanish. The counselor will discuss participation in the program with the potential participants and make the final determination about their ability to participate based on the care they are currently receiving and the severity of their symptoms.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA)In a series of 8 weekly sessions, the program uses a group format to teach and encourage women to use coping strategies to reduce depression and anxiety. Over the course of the eight ALMA sessions, 25 women are (1) engaged in activities to identify coping strategies they are currently using and encouraged to continue to use them; (2) introduced to new coping strategies (e.g. mindfulness techniques, increased social ties and social support); and, (3) provided resources for seeking additional help if needed. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the intervention was changed to online synchronous delivery via Zoom over 6 weekly sessions. | Behavioural | ALMA Delayed Intervention Control Group, ALMA Intervention Group |
Primary outcome
Depressive Symptoms
Time frame: Baseline, 2 months after baseline (post-intervention for intervention group), 4 months after baseline, and 6 months after baseline. Outcomes reported at baseline, 2 and 4 months after baseline for both intervention and control groups.
Frequency of depressive symptoms as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 in the last two weeks. The PHQ-9 is a multipurpose instrument for screening, diagnosing, monitoring and measuring the severity of depression. Scores range from 0 to 27. In general, a total of 10 or above is suggestive of the presence of depression. Depression Severity: 0-4 none, 5-9 mild, 10-14 moderate, 15-19 moderately severe, 20-27 severe. Higher scores indicate a worse outcome.
Anxiety Symptoms
Time frame: Baseline, 2 months after baseline (post-intervention for intervention group), 4 months after baseline, and 6 months after baseline. Outcomes reported at baseline, 2 and 4 months after baseline for both intervention and control groups.
Frequency of anxiety symptoms as measured by the General Anxiety Disorders 7 in the last two weeks. Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) is a self-reported questionnaire for screening and severity measuring of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Scores range from 0 to 21. Scores ≥10. Anxiety Severity: 1-4 minimal symptoms, 5-9 mild symptoms, 10-14 moderate symptoms, 15-21 severe symptoms. Higher scores indicate a worse outcome.
1 secondary outcome
Stress
Time frame: Baseline, 2 months after baseline (post-intervention for intervention group), 4 months after baseline, and 6 months after baseline. Outcomes reported at baseline, 2 and 4 months after baseline for both intervention and control groups.
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 24 May 2024.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Background: PubMed 35257311Abarca GJ, Tornberg-Belanger SN, Ryan D, Price C, Rao D, Ornelas IJ. Understanding the Relationship Between Social Stressors, Trauma, and Somatic Symptoms Among Latina Immigrant Women. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2023 Feb;10(1):387-394. doi: 10.1007/s40615-022-01230-9. Epub 2022 Mar 7.
- Background: PubMed 34672827Ornelas IJ, Tornberg-Belanger S, Balkus JE, Bravo P, Perez Solorio SA, Perez GE, Tran AN. Coping With COVID-19: The Impact of the Pandemic on Latina Immigrant Women's Mental Health and Well-being. Health Educ Behav. 2021 Dec;48(6):733-738. doi: 10.1177/10901981211050638. Epub 2021 Oct 21.
- Background: PubMed 34371256Ryan D, Tornberg-Belanger SN, Perez G, Maurer S, Price C, Rao D, Chan KCG, Ornelas IJ. Stress, social support and their relationship to depression and anxiety among Latina immigrant women. J Psychosom Res. 2021 Oct;149:110588. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110588. Epub 2021 Jul 30.
- Results publication: PubMed 36809698Ornelas IJ, Rao D, Price C, Chan G, Tran A, Aisenberg G, Perez G, Maurer S, Nelson AK. Promoting mental health in Latina immigrant women: Results from the Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma intervention trial. Soc Sci Med. 2023 Mar;321:115776. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115776. Epub 2023 Feb 16.
- Results publication: PubMed 35723668Ornelas IJ, Perez G, Maurer S, Gonzalez S, Childs V, Price C, Nelson AK, Perez Solorio SA, Tran A, Rao D. Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma: In-Person and Online Delivery of an Intervention to Promote Mental Health Among Latina Immigrant Women. J Integr Complement Med. 2022 Oct;28(10):821-829. doi: 10.1089/jicm.2022.0491. Epub 2022 Jun 20.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
India J Ornelas, PhD, MPH principal investigator
University of Washington
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA) in people with Stress and Depression, run by University of Washington at 2 sites in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 May 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 24 May 2024). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Depressive Symptoms (time frame: Baseline, 2 months after baseline (post-intervention for intervention group), 4 months after baseline, and 6 months after baseline. Outcomes reported at baseline, 2 and 4 months after baseline for both intervention and control groups.). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03545282, which also lists 5 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 May 2024.