Digitally Enhanced Stepped-Care for Depression in Primary Care
Purpose
This pilot, three-arm randomized clinical trial (N=40; 2:1:1) will evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a digitally enhanced stepped-care approach for depression treatment in primary care. Participants will be randomized to: (1) stepped-care beginning with a self-guided Behavioral Activation app (Moodivate), with stepping to clinician-delivered telebehavioral health Behavioral Activation at Week 2 based on app engagement and early PHQ-9 change; (2) telebehavioral health Behavioral Activation; or (3) Moodivate alone. The primary endpoint is feasibility of the stepped-care approach, defined as continued engagement after stepping (≥1 Moodivate use/week for >4 weeks or ≥4 therapy sessions). The secondary endpoint is change in PHQ-9 scores from baseline through Week 12. The study will be conducted within MUSC Primary Care clinics across South Carolina using remote screening, e-consent, and REDCap assessments.
Condition
- Depression
Eligibility
- Eligible Ages
- Over 18 Years
- Eligible Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- elevated depression symptoms (score of >=10 on the PHQ-9) - age >=18 years - owns an iOS or Android smartphone - willing to use Moodivate - willing to engage in telehealth depression treatment - access to email or text messaging (for assessments) - English fluency
Exclusion Criteria
- current receipt of psychosocial depression treatment (e.g., individual or group therapy) - current suicidal ideation, defined as a response >=1 ("several days") on PHQ-9 item nine - does not live in the state of South Carolina
Study Design
- Phase
- N/A
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel Assignment
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- None (Open Label)
Arm Groups
| Arm | Description | Assigned Intervention |
|---|---|---|
|
Experimental Digitally-Enhanced Stepped Care |
Participants randomized to the Digitally-Enhanced Stepped Care condition will be instructed to utilize a Behavioral Activation therapy focused mobile application called "Moodivate" regularly, at least once per day, for the treatment of depressed mood among cancer survivors. Participants in the Digitally-Enhanced Stepped Care group will receive a download code to download the Moodivate mobile application. Moodivate is a mobile app for individuals with elevated symptoms of depression. Within the app, users identify values, create activities, schedule activities, and rate mood daily. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaire measures at baseline and weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12. App engagement will be passively monitored for two weeks following initial download to determine whether care needs to be stepped up to guideline-concordant standard care. |
|
|
Experimental Moodivate Only |
Participants randomized to the Moodivate condition will be instructed to utilize Moodivate regularly, at least once per day, for the treatment of depressed mood. Participants in the Moodivate group will receive a download code to download the Moodivate mobile application. Moodivate is a mobile app for individuals with elevated symptoms of depression. Within the app, users identify values, create activities, schedule activities, and rate mood daily. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaire measures at baseline and weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12. |
|
|
Active Comparator Telebehavioral Health |
Participants randomized to the Telebehavioral Health condition will receive 8 sessions of telehealth-delivered Behavioral Activation therapy with a mental health provider over a 10 week period. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaire measures at baseline and weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. |
|
Recruiting Locations
More Details
- Status
- Recruiting
- Sponsor
- Medical University of South Carolina
