Waitlist-Control Trial of Smartphone CBT for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The investigators are testing the efficacy of Smartphone-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). The investigators hypothesize that participants receiving app-CBT will have greater improvement in QIDS-C scores than those in the waitlist condition at treatment endpoint (week 8).

Detailed Description
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The primary aims of this study are to test the efficacy of a Smartphone-based CBT treatment for adults with MDD recruited nationally. Eligible subjects (N=112) will be randomly assigned to 8 weeks of Smartphone-delivered CBT for MDD either immediately, or after a 8-week long waiting period (50-50 chance). The investigators hypothesize that Smartphone-delivered CBT for MDD will be feasible and acceptable to individuals with MDD, and that it will lead to greater reductions in MDD symptom severity compared to the passage of time (waitlist control).

Official Title
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Smartphone Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized, Waitlist-control Trial

Conditions
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Major Depressive Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Smartphone-delivered CBT for MDD


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: At least 18 years of age Current diagnosis of primary DSM-5 MDD, based on MINI Currently living in the United States Exclusion Criteria: Psychotropic medication changes within 2 months prior to enrollment (Participants taking psychotropic medication must have been on a stable dose for at least 2 months prior to enrollment and not change medication during study period) Past participation in ≥ 4 sessions of CBT for depression Current severe substance use disorder Lifetime bipolar disorder or psychosis Acute, active suicidal ideation as indicated by clinical judgment and/or a score ≥ 2 on the suicidal ideation subscale of the C-SSRS Concurrent psychological treatment Does not own a supported mobile Smartphone with a data plan Lack of technology literacy that would interfere with ability to engage with smartphone treatment

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Smartphone-delivered CBT for MDD<br>8-week Smartphone delivered CBT for MDD. | Device: Smartphone-delivered CBT for MDD<br>* 8-week Smartphone-delivered CBT for MDD. In-person cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an empirically supported treatment for MDD. The app-delivered CBT in this project includes modules such as cognitive skills (e.g., cognitive restructuring, core belief work), behavioral activation, and perceptual retraining/mindfulness skills.<br>|
| Other: 8 Week Waitlist Control<br>8-week waitlist control. (Note: participants will be crossed over to 8-week Smartphone-delivered CBT for MDD following the 8-week waitlist control). | Device: Smartphone-delivered CBT for MDD<br>* 8-week Smartphone-delivered CBT for MDD. In-person cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an empirically supported treatment for MDD. The app-delivered CBT in this project includes modules such as cognitive skills (e.g., cognitive restructuring, core belief work), behavioral activation, and perceptual retraining/mindfulness skills.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Difference in MDD severity (QIDS-C) at the end of treatment/waitlist period. | The Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology- Clinician version (QIDS-C) is a clinician-administered interview that assesses depressive symptom severity in the past seven days. It contains 16 items ranging from 0-3, which are summed to generate a total score of depressive symptom severity (range=0-27). | Endpoint (week 8) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Difference in functional impairment at the end of treatment/waitlist period | Participants who receive app-CBT will have greater improvement on functional impairment (SDS). The SDS uses a Likert scale from 0 (not at all) to 10 (extremely) to assess impairment in occupational, social, and family domains. Higher scores indicate greater impairment. | Endpoint (week 8) | 
| Difference in quality of life at the end of treatment/waitlist period | Participants who receive app-CBT will have greater improvement on quality of life, assessed using The Quality of Life, Enjoyment, and Satisfaction Questionnaire - Short Form (Q-LES-Q). The Q-LES-Q-SF is a self-report measure of subjective quality of life, containing Likert items ranging from 1 (Very Poor) to 5 (Very Good). Total scores are presented as a percentage of the maximum value (i.e., ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater quality of life). | Endpoint (week 8) |