Feasibility of a Technology-Based Intervention for Depression Referral Uptake in Cancer Survivors

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Cancer; Depression

• Registration Number: NCT07091968
• Lead Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina

Brief Summary

Depression is very common in cancer survivors but there are challenges to linking those in need of treatment efficiently to care. In this study, investigators will test the feasibility and acceptability of a new text-based approach to connect cancer survivors with depression with care.

Detailed Description

The objectives of this study are 1) to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a technology-enabled approach to improve referral uptake among cancer survivors and 2) to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of this approach to improve referral uptake compared to usual care among cancer survivors.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-07
• Study First Submitted: 2025-07-21
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-07-21
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-07-21
• Study First Posted: 2025-07-29
• Last Update Posted: 2025-07-29
• Study Start: 2025-09-01
• Primary Completion: 2026-06
• Study Completion: 2026-12-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

• age > 18 years
• diagnosis of cancer
• upcoming appointment in an HCC or HCN oncology clinic within 14 days
• English proficiency
• ownership of a cellphone with SMS text capability.
• elevated depressive symptoms at screening (as measured by > 3 on the PHQ-2)

Exclusion Criteria

• cognitive impairment as evaluated by attending physician
• currently receiving counseling for depression

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Feasibility and Acceptability	6 weeks	The co-primary outcomes are acceptability and feasibility of the technology-enabled referral intervention. Acceptability will be measured using the System Usability Scale (SUS) at 6 weeks, with a score ≥80 indicating high acceptability. Feasibility will be assessed by determining whether key components of the intervention were successfully delivered and engaged with over the course of the 4 week intervention, including: (1) initiation of text-based contact, (2) delivery of tailored messages, and (3) access of the automated referral link by the participant. Additionally, participant engagement will be evaluated by tracking whether they opened the initial message, viewed the embedded video, and read the tailored text messages. These outcomes will be summarized using a Bayesian beta-binomial approach to determine go/no-go decision thresholds for future scale-up.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Referral Uptake	6 weeks	Referral uptake is defined as whether a participant initiates a mental health treatment referral at 6 weeks. It will be measured through participant self-report and, when available, verified via electronic health records or provider confirmation.