Smartphone App for Mental Health Screening in Young Cancer Patients

Overseen By Olivia Borge

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Stanford University

Disqualifiers: Significant disability, Language proficiency

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 20

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a smartphone app designed to help young cancer patients manage their mental health. The app uses digital phenotyping, which tracks behaviors and patterns through technology, to identify those at risk and quickly connect them with mental health services. Participants will use the app, which includes Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) via the My Personal Health Dashboard (MyPHD) Smartphone App, along with a smartwatch for 10 days, followed by assessments. It suits young people aged 10-25 who have been diagnosed with cancer within the last 2 to 18 months and can use a smartphone and smartwatch. As an unphased trial, this study provides an opportunity to contribute to innovative mental health solutions for young cancer patients.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this smartphone app is safe for mental health screening in young cancer patients?

Research shows that using smartphone apps for Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) is generally safe. Studies have found that EMA can collect real-time data without causing harm. For example, one study examined young people's use of a mental health app and found no serious negative effects. Another study tested a similar app with cancer patients and found it was well-tolerated.

These apps monitor mental health by asking questions throughout the day, aiming to spot issues early. While research is ongoing, early results suggest they are safe for everyday use. As with any tool, participants should inform the study team of any concerns. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using the My Personal Health Dashboard (MyPHD) smartphone app for mental health screening in young cancer patients because it offers a personalized and real-time approach to monitoring mental health. Unlike traditional methods that rely on periodic assessments, this app uses Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) to gather data continuously, providing insights into the user's mental state as they go about their daily lives. By combining smartphone technology with smartwatch data, it allows for a more comprehensive picture of mental health, potentially leading to earlier interventions and better outcomes for young cancer patients.

What evidence suggests that this smartphone app is effective for mental health screening in young cancer patients?

Research has shown that smartphone apps like My Personal Health Dashboard, which participants in this trial will use, effectively gather real-time information on mental health. Studies have found that these apps track mood, stress, and other psychological factors by collecting data throughout the day. This method provides a clearer picture of how a person's mental state changes over time. Early findings suggest that this approach can help identify changes in mental health, allowing for quicker support for those who need it. The app's ability to continuously gather and analyze information makes it a promising tool for supporting the mental health of young cancer patients. ^{1 2 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Victoria Cosgrove, PhD

Principal Investigator

Stanford University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adolescents and young adults with cancer. It aims to use a smartphone app called MyPHD to monitor their mental health status in real-time.

Inclusion Criteria

Willing to carry smartphone on their person for duration of study participation

I am between 10 and 25 years old.

I was diagnosed with cancer between 2 and 18 months ago.

Exclusion Criteria

Lack of proficiency in English or Spanish

I do not have a disability that stops me from completing study tasks.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Digital Phenotyping Intervention

Participants receive the digital phenotyping intervention, including wearing a smartwatch and using a smartphone-based EMA app

10 days

Baseline, Day 10

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for psychosocial outcomes and device adherence

2 months

Baseline, Day 10, 2 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) via My Personal Health Dashboard (MyPHD) Smartphone App

Trial Overview The study tests the effectiveness of the My Personal Health Dashboard (MyPHD) Smartphone App, which uses Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) to track psychological well-being in young cancer patients.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Digital Phenotyping Arm Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

All participants (adolescents and young adults with cancer) will receive the digital phenotyping intervention, which includes wearing a smartwatch and using a smartphone-based EMA app over a 10-day period, with psychosocial assessments at baseline, day 10, and 2 months

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Stanford University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,527

Recruited

17,430,000+

Citations

1. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2022.880430/full

Smartphone-Based Ecological Momentary Assessment for ... Results: The app developed provides a system for continuously collecting, merging, and processing data related to patient's health and physical activity. It ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9545782/

Smartphone‐based Ecological Momentary Assessment to ... This study assessed the feasibility of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) for real‐world, real‐time capture of scanxiety using patients' personal smartphone.

3. ichgcp.net ichgcp.net/amp/clinical-trials-registry/NCT07220343

Digital Phenotyping for Psychosocial Screening in ... - ICH GCP Participants will respond to ecological momentary assessments (EMA) via smartphone to actively report on sleep, mood, stress, and eating habits ...

4. mhealth.jmir.org mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e65106

Health-Promoting Effects and Everyday Experiences With a ... This study aimed to explore young people's everyday experiences using an AI-based mHealth app for mental health promotion based on ecological momentary ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8663593/

Smartphone-Delivered Ecological Momentary Interventions ... This systematic review aims to assess the characteristics of smartphone-delivered EMIs using self-reported EMAs in relation to their effects on health ...

6. ichgcp.net ichgcp.net/clinical-trials-registry/NCT07220343

Digital Phenotyping for Psychosocial Screening in ... - ICH GCP The overall goal of the proposed study is to use digital phenotyping to identify and triage at-risk patients and accelerate access to critical ...

7. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/256102638_A_Smartphone_Ecological_Momentary_AssessmentIntervention_App_for_Collecting_Real-Time_Data_and_Promoting_Self-Awareness

(PDF) A Smartphone Ecological Momentary Assessment ... We have designed a flexible ecological momentary assessment/intervention smartphone (EMA/EMI) "app". We examine the utility of this app for collecting ...