Pilot Feasibility Trial to Evaluate a Technology-Enabled Approach to Enhance Depression Referral Uptake Among Cancer Survivors
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrollment
- 60
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Feasibility and Acceptability
Study Overview
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 Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Supportive Care
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to — (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
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
Arms & Interventions
Technology-Enabled Tailored Referral
Participants in the intervention arm will receive a technology-enabled, text-based referral platform designed to improve depression referral uptake. The platform includes an initial text with a brief video explaining common barriers, tailored text messages based on participant-identified barriers, and an automated referral link. Messages are mapped to stages of readiness using the Transtheoretical Model and sent every two days over a two-week period to non-responders or decliners. This approach aims to engage survivors with depression care through personalized, accessible, and stage-matched communication.
Intervention: Technology-Enabled Tailored Referral (Behavioral)
Usual Care Referral
Participants in the usual care arm will receive a printed flyer with information on local and virtual mental health treatment resources. The flyer includes contact details for emergency services, psychiatric urgent care, psychological oncology programs, support groups, and behavioral health clinics in the Charleston area, many of which offer telehealth options. No personalized messages or follow-up outreach will be provided.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Feasibility and Acceptability
Time Frame: 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 Outcomes
- Referral Uptake(6 weeks)
Investigators
Katherine Sterba
Professor-Faculty
Medical University of South Carolina