What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for depression, such as mobile health applications and cognitive-behavioral therapies, generally have minimal physical side effects but may include initial increases in anxiety or emotional discomfort as patients confront challenging thoughts and feelings. These treatments are designed to improve psychological well-being and reduce depressive symptoms through structured activities and engagement. In contrast, pharmacological treatments for depression, such as antidepressants, can have side effects including nausea, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and insomnia. It is important for patients to discuss potential side effects with their healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment plan.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

The FDA has approved several pharmacological treatments for depression, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine. Additionally, non-pharmacological treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other forms of psychotherapy have been widely recognized for their effectiveness in treating depression. Emerging treatments, such as psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, have shown promise in clinical trials for treatment-resistant depression. These treatments, like the RRE Mobile Health Application, aim to enhance psychological well-being and reduce depressive symptoms through structured, supportive interventions.

What other types of research exist?

Promising alternatives to the RRE Mobile Health Application for treating depression in 2024 include: 1) Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) platforms, which have shown effectiveness in reducing depressive symptoms through structured online sessions. 2) Mobile apps offering mindfulness and meditation practices, such as Headspace or Calm, which provide guided sessions to improve mental health. 3) Social network-based interventions, like the Tobacco Status Project, which leverage peer support and community engagement to enhance psychological wellbeing. 4) Digital platforms incorporating real-time monitoring and feedback, similar to the SmokeFree.gov initiative, which can offer personalized support and interventions based on user data.

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Behavioral Intervention

RRE App for Preventing Teen Depression

N/A

Recruiting

Led By Chieh Li, EdD

Research Sponsored by Northeastern University

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Be younger than 65 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up 5-7 minutes

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial tests a mobile app called RRE to help Chinese American teenagers feel better mentally. The app provides relaxation exercises and stress management activities with guidance from a virtual companion. Participants can earn rewards for using the app.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for Chinese American adolescents aged 14-18, who can read at a sixth-grade level or higher. It's not suitable for those with severe depression or anxiety needing more treatment than the app provides, or other mental disorders.

What is being tested?

The study tests if a mobile app called Relax, Reflect, and Empower (RRE) can improve psychological well-being and reduce depressive symptoms in participants compared to a control group receiving wellness check-in texts over three months.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this intervention involves using an application designed to promote wellbeing, there are no direct physical side effects expected. However, users may experience varying emotional responses based on their engagement with the content.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ 5-7 minutes

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~5-7 minutes

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 5-7 minutes for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9)

Secondary study objectives

Coping self-efficacy scale (CSES)

Flourishing Scale

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Relax, Reflect, and Empower applicationExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants in the RRE group will select an Avatar from a pool of 20 Avatars as their companion over the 3 months. The Avatar wellness check-in in the RRE group includes a daily brief check-in of 5-minute/day (4 days/week), and a weekly full wellness check-in of 15 minutes/week for 3 months. The daily brief check-in includes a wellbeing and mood check and a 3-minute relaxation meditation. The weekly full wellness check-in includes reflection activities in addition to the daily check-in activities.

Group II: Daily check-in text messagesActive Control1 Intervention

Participants will receive a wellness check-in text message 5 days/week \[4 daily wellness check-in (2-3 minutes/day) +1 weekly wellness check-in (4-5 minutes/week)\] for 3 months.

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Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Common treatments for depression include pharmacotherapy, such as antidepressants, and psychological therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Antidepressants work by altering neurotransmitter levels in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, to improve mood and emotional state. CBT helps patients identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors, while MBCT combines cognitive therapy with mindfulness strategies to prevent relapse. The RRE Mobile Health Application, which promotes psychological wellbeing and reduces depressive symptoms through culturally sensitive content and engagement, likely incorporates elements of CBT and mindfulness. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for depression patients as it helps them comprehend how treatments can alter their mental state, providing a sense of control and encouraging adherence to therapy.

Psychological therapies for anxiety and depression in children and adolescents with long-term physical conditions.Electronic behavioral interventions for headache: a systematic review.