AMPERE EMA App for Suicidal Ideation

(AMPERE Trial)

Overseen By Tess Grover, BA

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Washington

Disqualifiers: Non-English, No smartphone, Severe conditions, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

50 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to create and test a smartphone app called the AMPERE EMA app, designed to monitor suicide risk in young adults. Developed with input from patients and healthcare providers, the app will be evaluated for its practicality in managing risk. Participants will use the app for two months and complete online surveys to provide feedback. Young adults aged 16-30 who are currently receiving care for active thoughts of suicide may be suitable candidates. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative solutions for mental health care.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on using a mobile app to monitor suicidal thoughts, so you may not need to change your medication routine.

What prior data suggests that the AMPERE EMA app is safe for use in young adults experiencing suicidality?

Research has shown that the AMPERE EMA app builds on earlier work using smartphone apps to track and predict suicidal thoughts. This app employs Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), collecting data in real-time. Studies on similar apps have demonstrated their effectiveness in predicting changes in suicidal thoughts, which is promising for both safety and effectiveness.

Although specific safety data for the AMPERE EMA app is not available, similar apps have been used safely in other studies. These apps gather self-reported information through user-friendly interfaces and are generally well-tolerated, as they don't involve medication or physical procedures, making them low-risk compared to other treatments.

In summary, the AMPERE EMA app relies on previously safe and effective technologies. It aims to help young adults manage suicidal thoughts without introducing physical risks. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the AMPERE EMA app because it provides a novel way to monitor and understand suicidal thoughts through real-time self-reporting on a smartphone. Unlike traditional methods, which often rely on periodic clinical assessments, this app offers continuous risk monitoring, which can lead to more timely interventions. By empowering patients to report their feelings as they occur, the app could lead to more personalized and effective mental health care, potentially transforming how suicidal ideation is managed.

What evidence suggests that the AMPERE EMA app is effective for monitoring suicide risk?

Research has shown that apps like the AMPERE EMA, which participants in this trial will use, can help identify suicide risk. These apps gather real-time information from users, highlighting risk factors for suicidal thoughts. Early studies on similar apps, such as the Emma app, suggested they might help predict and prevent suicidal behaviors by offering timely insights into a person's mental state. By focusing on real-world, moment-to-moment data, these tools aim to improve traditional methods for managing suicide risk among young adults. Although more research is needed, these tools offer a promising way to monitor and manage suicidal thoughts. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Ian M Bennett, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Washington

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young adults aged 16-30 who are receiving care at the University of Washington Primary Care for suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Participants must have a record of these issues in the past year or an attempt, and be able to consent.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 16 and 30 years old.

* Receiving care at University of Washington Primary Care for suicidal ideation as determined by Electronic Health Record problem list or PHQ-9 suicide risk item \>0 in previous year and/or recent (past year) history of suicide attempt and/or active suicidal ideation.

I can legally agree to join the study.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Co-design and Development

Co-design a prototype EMA suicide risk monitoring system with patients and health care providers using Human Centered Design (HCD) methods.

Not specified

Pilot Testing

Participants download and use the EMA prototype for two months, completing weekly depression screeners and daily surveys on mood, activity level, sleep, diet, substance use, and social support.

8 weeks

3 online surveys at 0, 1, and 2 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after using the EMA prototype.

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• AMPERE EMA app

Trial Overview The study is testing an app called AMPERE EMA designed to assess suicide risk in real-time. It involves co-designing this tool with input from patients and providers, then evaluating its acceptability and usability over two months.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Use of AMPERE EMA prototype Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

An EMA risk monitoring system using a smartphone EMA app to collect self-reported data from participating patients experiencing suicidal ideation.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Washington

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,858

Recruited

2,023,000+

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator

Trials

3,007

Recruited

2,852,000+

Citations

1. psychiatry.uw.edu psychiatry.uw.edu/project/ampere-augmented-momentary-personal-ecological-risk-evaluation/

AMPERE (Augmented Momentary Personal Ecological Risk ... EMA (ecological momentary assessment) systems show promise as indicators of suicide risk and as a means of enhancing existing resources. However, little is ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7584985/

A Digital Companion, the Emma App, for Ecological ... Emma is a smartphone app developed for the assessment, prevention, and, ultimately, prediction of suicidal behaviors. It was designed by integrating evidence- ...

3. psychiatry.uw.edu psychiatry.uw.edu/targeted_condition/suicide-ideation/

Targeted Condition: Suicidal Ideation The AMPERE study leverages existing work on EMAs and human-centered design principles to develop and pilot a prototype suicide risk monitoring system to support ...

4. uw.cloud-cme.com uw.cloud-cme.com/Assets/uw/activities/12295/Brochure_12295.pdf

DS2554: AMPERE Suicide Prevention ECHO - UW CME The goal of the project is to develop a suicide risk monitoring system that will improve risk management for young adults experiencing ...

5. researchprotocols.org researchprotocols.org/2022/7/e37583/

Proximal Risk for Suicide: Protocol for an Ecological ... This proposed project aims to identify risk factors that best predict near-time changes in suicidal ideation and examine potential interactions ...

6. jmir.org jmir.org/2025/1/e63192

The Application of AI to Ecological Momentary Assessment ... This review aims to (1) synthesize empirical research applying AI strategies to EMA data in the study of suicidal ideation and behaviors;

7. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40245396/

The Application of AI to Ecological Momentary Assessment ... In the application of AI to EMA data to predict suicidal ideation, studies reported mean area under the curve (0.74-0.86), sensitivity (0.64 ...