Kandoo App for Depression

(Kandoo Trial)

Overseen By Lindsay Alexander

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Child Mind Institute

Disqualifiers: Eating disorder, Manic episode, Psychotic disorder, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 9

Duration: 8 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if a digital app called Kandoo can help young people manage depression more effectively than traditional paper methods. Participants will use either the Kandoo app or paper tools to track their activities while undergoing Brief Behavioral Activation, a treatment that focuses on increasing engagement in positive activities. The study will compare changes in depression symptoms before and after the treatment in both groups. Ideal participants are patients at certain clinics who experience mild-to-moderate depression, have access to a smartphone, and can use the internet. As an unphased trial, this study offers an opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could improve depression management for others.

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 is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that the Kandoo app is safe for use in treating depression?

Research shows that the Kandoo app, tested to help with depression, is generally safe. Young people use the app on smartphones and tablets to manage their depression symptoms. Although detailed safety information is not yet available, as a digital tool, it lacks the physical side effects that medications might have. The main focus is on its effectiveness in treatment, specifically whether it reduces depressive symptoms, rather than causing harm. As this is a new area of study, solid data remains limited, but app-based treatment typically poses fewer safety risks compared to other treatment types. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Kandoo app because it offers a modern twist on managing depression through digital convenience. Unlike traditional methods that use paper and pencil for tracking activities, Kandoo leverages technology to provide a more engaging and user-friendly experience. This app-based approach helps streamline the process of Brief Behavioral Activation by making it easier for users to log their activities and progress, potentially leading to better adherence and outcomes. By integrating technology, Kandoo aims to enhance accessibility and effectiveness for individuals managing depression.

What evidence suggests that the Kandoo app is effective for treating depression?

Studies have shown that Brief Behavioral Activation (BBA) reduces depression symptoms in both adults and teens. Research indicates that mobile health apps like Kandoo can help patients manage their condition, stay engaged with treatment, and improve mental health. In this trial, some participants will use the Kandoo app, a fun, game-like digital tool that makes tracking activities more engaging, enhancing traditional treatment methods. Others will use traditional paper and pencil worksheets for tracking. A review of app-based treatments found that these apps can significantly help people with moderate to severe depression. These findings suggest that using Kandoo along with BBA could be a promising way to manage depression in young people. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Michael Milham, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

Child Mind Institute

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young individuals with symptoms of mood disorders or depression. Participants will use either traditional paper tools or the Kandoo smartphone app as part of an 8-week treatment program. They must be willing to have their depressive symptoms and overall functioning assessed before and after the treatment.

Inclusion Criteria

Internet connectivity

Currently enrolled as a patient in the CMI clinic or Fort Health Virtual Outpatient Mental Health Clinic

I am either male or female.

Exclusion Criteria

Any neurologic impairment that limits the ability to use a touch screen

Current exclusionary psychiatric conditions are: eating disorder, manic episode (any current or history), psychotic episode or psychotic disorder, active suicidality, homicidal

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive an 8-week Brief Behavioral Activation treatment protocol, augmented with Kandoo for the experimental group, or using traditional paper-pencil tracking for the control group.

8 weeks

8 weekly sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for depressive symptoms and global functioning 6 weeks after the completion of the treatment.

6 weeks

1 visit (virtual or in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Kandoo

Trial Overview

The study tests if using the Kandoo app, which gamifies activity scheduling and self-monitoring, is more effective than standard paper-based methods in treating depression over an 8-week period. It measures changes in depressive symptoms, global functioning, and patient goals.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Brief Behavioral Activation with Kandoo Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will use Kandoo to track their activities while receiving Brief Behavioral Activation treatment.

Group II: Brief Behavioral Activation with traditional paper pencil tracking Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will use paper and pencil worksheets to track their activities while receiving Brief Behavioral Activation treatment.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Child Mind Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

4

Recruited

1,400+

Fort Health

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

200+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The Behavioral Apptivation mobile application was developed to support Brief Behavioral Activation Treatment for Depression (BATD), which is a well-supported psychotherapy for treating depression.

Initial pilot testing of the app in a small open-label trial showed feasibility for use alongside individual BATD therapy, suggesting it could enhance clinical practice for treating depressive symptoms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development and Preliminary Feasibility Study of a Brief Behavioral Activation Mobile Application (Behavioral Apptivation) to Be Used in Conjunction With Ongoing Therapy. Dahne, J., Kustanowitz, J., Lejuez, CW.[2020]

A smartphone-based intervention (SBI) combining group psychoeducation and 14 days of app training showed high usability and engagement among participants, indicating it is user-friendly and well-received.

The pilot trial with 16 individuals suggested that the SBI effectively reduced depressive symptoms compared to a waitlist control, providing preliminary evidence for its efficacy in treating depression.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Blending group-based psychoeducation with a smartphone intervention for the reduction of depressive symptoms: results of a randomized controlled pilot study. Lukas, CA., Berking, M.[2021]

A systematic review of mobile health apps for depression found that 74% of the evaluated apps had acceptable quality, with 32% scoring 4.0 or higher on the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS), indicating their potential effectiveness.

These high-quality apps can enhance patient self-management and treatment engagement, suggesting they may be valuable tools for individuals with depression who face barriers to traditional treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluating Commercially Available Mobile Apps for Depression Self-Management. Myers, A., Chesebrough, L., Hu, R., et al.[2022]

A study involving 235 participants showed that the app-based intervention ImproveYourMood+ significantly reduced depressive symptoms and negative automatic thoughts over a 3-week period, with effects lasting up to one month after the intervention.

The most effective features of the app included mood monitoring, content delivery, and just-in-time prompts, indicating that comprehensive, multi-modal approaches may enhance user experience and treatment outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exploring the features of an app-based just-in-time intervention for depression. Everitt, N., Broadbent, J., Richardson, B., et al.[2021]

Citations

1.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06825637

The Use of SmartPhone App (Kandoo) to Enhance Efficacy ...

Research demonstrates that BBA is clinically effective at decreasing depressive symptoms in adults and adolescents. The treatment has outcomes ...

2.

withpower.com

withpower.com/trial/kandoo-app-for-depression-9d681

Kandoo App for Depression · Info for Participants

Research shows that mobile health apps for depression self-management can improve patient self-management, treatment engagement, and mental health outcomes, ...

3.

childmind.org

childmind.org/science/applied-digital-technologies/brief-behavioral-activation-kandoo-trial/

Brief Behavioral Activation | Kandoo Initiative

Improve outcomes for youth with mild-to-moderate depression; Access Kandoo, a gamified digital platform that augments clinical interventions. Sign Up to Learn ...

4.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10660171/

App-Based Interventions for Moderate to Severe Depression

This systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 randomized clinical trials of app interventions with 1470 participants found a significant medium effect size ...

5.

withpower.com

withpower.com/clinical-trials/for-depression-near-new-york-ny?page=2

Top Depression Clinical Trials near New York, NY | Power

Beyond determining the overall effectiveness of BBA augmented with Kandoo, the sample diversity and availability of clinical behavioral observations of the ...

6.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11443057/

Evaluating a mobile app's effects on depression and ...

Primary outcomes were self-reported severity measures for depression and generalized anxiety, and urine drug screens (UDS). Secondary outcomes ...

7.

childmind.org

childmind.org/science/applied-digital-technologies/center-for-product-development/

Center for Product Development

We are exploring a clinically informed journaling app that gives teens a safe and private space to get in tune with their emotions and express their thoughts ...