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TODAY! A Mobile App Study

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Depression, Anxiety
Interventions
Behavioral: TODAY! App and Coaching
Registration Number
NCT03534167
Lead Sponsor
Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to conduct a small randomized controlled trial (RCT) for a 10-week mobile phone intervention using principles of Cognitive Behavior Therapy to target general and minority stressors and treat anxiety and depression in young men romantically/sexually attracted to men.

Detailed Description

Investigators will conduct a double-arm RCT to develop the infrastructure and collection of data needed to power a larger RCT (e.g., rates of consent, retention rates). Clinical outcomes will be assessed for the purpose of detecting unexpected deterioration. Investigators will also collect usability feedback regarding the intervention which may be used to refine the treatment. Usage data will be used to identify under-used lessons and tools and improve their usefulness/appeal. Compliance with assessments will be monitored and used to improve retention protocols.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Male
Target Recruitment
22
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Were assigned male at birth and identify as a man
  2. Report romantic/sexual attraction to men;
  3. Ages 14-24 years;
  4. Resides in the Chicago metro area (i.e., Chicago or suburbs of Cook County)
  5. Presents with clinically significant depressive or anxiety symptoms, per a 10+ on the PHQ-9 or 5+ on the GAD-7
  6. Currently owns a mobile phone that is compatible with the intervention application, and believes they will be able to keep using this mobile phone for the next 10 weeks
  7. Fluent in English.
Exclusion Criteria
  1. Has visual, hearing, voice, or motor impairment that would prevent completion of study procedures or use of the Internet or mobile phone.
  2. Per self-reported history or the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) 7 (Adult version for participants ages 17-24 years and Kid version for ages 14-16 years), has ever been diagnosed with a psychotic disorder or bipolar disorder, or is currently diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder, or has been diagnosed in the past two years with posttraumatic stress disorder, dissociative disorder, or eating disorder; or evidences another condition that indicates this intervention may be insufficient to meet the youth's needs. If substance abuse disorder is currently present, PI or designated individual will use clinical judgement to determine whether severity/impairment related to substance use indicates this intervention may be insufficient to meet the youth's needs.
  3. Has been hospitalized for psychiatric reasons or has attempted suicide in the last year, or has a score of 4 or more (i.e., "high" to "severe" suicidality) on the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, or reports non-suicidal self-injury of a nature that suggests this intervention may be insufficient to meet the youth's needs.
  4. Is concurrently participating in another behavioral intervention research study
  5. Reports currently being in DCFS custody and under 21.
  6. Reports currently being in psychotherapy.
  7. Initiation, discontinuation, or adjustment of antidepressant medication in the past 4 weeks. Individuals excluded solely for this reason will be allowed to retake the baseline assessments (and be compensated accordingly) to determine eligibility after they have been on a stable antidepressant regimen for 4 weeks, if the study is still enrolling at that time.
  8. Less than an 8th grade reading level.
  9. Does not have an email address and does not obtain one within 1 week of the telephone screening.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
TODAY! App and CoachingTODAY! App and CoachingRCT participants will be randomized into a 10-week intervention condition during which they will receive the CBT modules through the TODAY! app. In addition to the mobile app, participants will receive coaching from the study Coach who is trained in Motivational Interviewing principles. Participants will complete mood and behavior assessments at 4 time-points over the course of 22 weeks.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) 9-itemsAssessed at baseline, 5 weeks, 10 weeks and 22 weeks

The PHQ-9 is a brief validated depression module. This study will measure change in PHQ-9 scores.

Change in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) 7-item QuestionnaireAssessed at baseline, 5 weeks, 10 weeks and 22 weeks

The GAD-7 is a brief measure assessing anxiety. This study will measure change in GAD-7 scores.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Usability feedbackAssessed at baseline, 5 weeks, 10 weeks and 22 weeks. Data regarding usage will be generated on the back end

Usability feedback data will be qualitative, and it may be used to refine intervention components rather than formal analysis. Data entered by the participant into the mobile phone application may also be analyzed for utilization patterns and internal improvements.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

🇺🇸

Chicago, Illinois, United States

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