Using a Text-message System to Engage Depressed Adolescents in Cognitive-behavioral Therapy Homework

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Major Depressive Disorder; Cognitive Behavior Therapy; Text Messaging
• Interventions: Behavioral: Paper and pen homework; Device: Text message system homework.

• Registration Number: NCT00919932
• Lead Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh

Brief Summary

The primary goal of the pilot is to test the feasibility and utility of using a text-messaging system to engage adolescents in improved homework adherence during cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for major depressive disorder.

Detailed Description

Adolescent major depressive disorder leads to recurrent episodes, increased rates of attempted and completed suicides, and persistent social impairment between episodes (Weissman et al 1999). Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an accepted first-line therapy for mild-moderate depression in adolescents. Integral to CBT is "homework" as it enhances mastery of newly learned coping strategies, facilitates generalization of skills to novel situations, increases self-efficacy, and ultimately reduces vulnerability to relapse (Detweiler et al 1999). Adherence to homework is a recognized problem in adults, and is similarly problematic in adolescents. One method of implementing CBT homework in a manner that is centric to current youth culture is through text messaging. By using a modern modality that many adolescents rely on for daily communication, there is the likelihood that they will find it more engaging than traditional modalities. Thus the potential that a text message system can help improve homework compliance in adolescents is significant, because improved homework adherence may ultimately be linked to improved clinical outcomes for these disorders with high rates of chronic morbidity and mortality.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2009-02
• Study First Submitted: 2009-06-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2009-06-11
• Study First Posted: 2009-06-12
• Primary Completion: 2010-01
• Study Completion: 2010-01
• Status Verified: 2016-01
• Results First Submitted: 2016-01-18
• Results First Submitted QC: 2016-01-18
• Last Update Submitted: 2016-01-18
• Results First Posted: 2016-02-15
• Last Update Posted: 2016-02-15

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 9

Inclusion Criteria

• major depressive disorder
• own a cellular phone with text messaging capabilities

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Exclusion Criteria

• history of psychosis
• history of mental retardation
• active suicidal ideation or intent

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Paper and pen homework	Paper and pen homework	Treatment as usual: therapy homework is completed by paper and pen.
Text-message homework	Text message system homework.	Experimental treatment: therapy homework is completed by text messaging.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Therapy Homework Compliance: Percent Homework Completed	1 month	Number of thought logs completed over the course of the 4 week trial.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Exit Interview	1 month	Verbal interview