Depression Prevention Programs for Adolescents

(P2P Trial)

Overseen By Matthew Lowther, MSW, MPH

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Illinois at Chicago

Must not be taking: Antidepressants, Antianxiety

Disqualifiers: Major depression, Schizophrenia, Bipolar, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 8 sessions

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests two programs aimed at preventing depression in teens. One program, CATCH-IT, is an online tool that helps teens reduce depression risks and boost protective factors, involving parents in the process. The other program, TEAMS, includes eight sessions that teach stress management and mood improvement techniques based on cognitive-behavioral therapy, a type of talk therapy. Teens who have experienced depression in the past, are not currently diagnosed, and are experiencing some depressive symptoms might be a good fit for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers teens a unique opportunity to access innovative programs that could enhance their mental health.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you have been using medication therapy for depression, anxiety, or other internalizing disorders for less than 3 months.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research shows that both CATCH-IT and TEAMS are effective and safe for teenagers. CATCH-IT, an online program, helps prevent depression. Previous studies found it safe and effective, with no serious side effects, making it a good option for teens.

TEAMS is a group program that teaches teens to manage stress and negative emotions. Several studies have shown it effectively prevents depression in teenagers. The research reports no major side effects, indicating TEAMS is also safe for teens.

Both programs have undergone testing in various studies and are designed to help teens manage stress and prevent depression without significant risk. This should reassure those considering joining the trial about their safety. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these treatments for preventing depression in adolescents because they offer unique approaches compared to traditional options like antidepressants or in-person therapy sessions. TEAMS stands out with its group-based format, teaching teens cognitive-behavioral strategies to handle stress and negative moods in a supportive environment. CATCH-IT is different because it's an internet-based program, making it accessible and flexible, targeting risk factors and strengthening protective factors in at-risk teens. Both programs incorporate cognitive-behavioral therapy principles but in innovative ways that fit the digital and social habits of today's adolescents.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for preventing depression in adolescents?

Research has shown that the CATCH-IT program, one of the treatments in this trial, successfully helps prevent depression in teens. This online program lowers risk factors and strengthens protective factors. Studies have found it to be safe, practical, and effective.

The TEAMS program is another treatment option in this trial. It includes eight group sessions where teens learn to handle stress and low mood using cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques. Multiple studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in preventing depression in adolescents.

Both programs in this trial aim to support teens before depression becomes a bigger problem, and evidence supports their potential to do so. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Tracy RG Gladstone, PhD

Principal Investigator

Wellesley College, Wellesley Centers for Women

Benjamin W Van Voorhees, MD, MPH

Principal Investigator

University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Medicine

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for teens aged 13-19 with a history of depression but not currently depressed, showing elevated depressive symptoms without severe drug/alcohol abuse or high-risk psychiatric conditions. They shouldn't be on recent medication for mood disorders or engaged in cognitive therapy.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 13 and 19 years old.

Adolescent must be experiencing an elevated level of depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Score = 5-18)

I am a teenager who has had depression in the past but not now.

Exclusion Criteria

Did not complete phone assessment with MINI Kid

I am not interested in participating in the trial anymore.

I am not comfortable being audio recorded during group sessions.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either the CATCH-IT or TEAMS intervention for depression prevention

8 sessions

Sessions conducted online or in-person

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

18 months

Assessments at 2, 6, 12, and 18 months

Open-label extension (optional)

Participants may continue to engage with the intervention for further support

Long-term

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• CATCH-IT
• TEAMS

Trial Overview The PATH 2 Purpose study compares two programs: CATCH-IT and TEAMS, aimed at preventing depression among adolescents. Participants are randomly assigned to one of the interventions across various locations, assessing their effectiveness and experiences during COVID-19.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: CATCH-IT Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Competent Adulthood Transition with Cognitive-behavioral \& Interpersonal Training (CATCH-IT) is an internet-based depression prevention program that targets decreasing modifiable risk factors while enhancing protective factors in at-risk adolescents, and that includes a parent program. It has been shown to be safe, feasible, and efficacious.

Group II: TEAMS Active Control 1 Intervention

Teens Achieving Mastery over Stress (TEAMS) is an 8-session group depression prevention program teaching teens how to deal with stress and negative moods, and ways to manage low mood based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) principles and strategies. Efficacy has been demonstrated by several trials over time.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Illinois at Chicago

Lead Sponsor

Trials

653

Recruited

1,574,000+

Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Collaborator

Trials

1,432

Recruited

2,506,000+

Brown University

Collaborator

Trials

480

Recruited

724,000+

Mile Square Health Center

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

1,000+

University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

680+

Wellesley College

Collaborator

Trials

6

Recruited

3,100+

Advocate Health Care

Collaborator

Trials

57

Recruited

1,412,000+

University of Louisville

Collaborator

Trials

353

Recruited

76,400+

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

Collaborator

Trials

592

Recruited

27,110,000+

Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

640+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be an effective treatment for major depressive disorders in adolescents, with a meta-analysis revealing an overall effect size of 1.27 and 63% of patients experiencing clinically significant improvement after treatment.

The article aims to summarize various psychosocial interventions for depressed adolescents, making it easier for clinicians to access and utilize these resources in their practice.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychosocial treatments for adolescent depression. Lewinsohn, PM., Clarke, GN.[2019]

In a study of 114 depressed adolescents from a juvenile justice center, factors such as earlier onset of major depressive disorder (MDD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and low family cohesion were identified as predictors of recovery time over a 1-year follow-up.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) led to faster recovery compared to a life skills-tutoring control, particularly for White adolescents with recurrent MDD and good coping skills, highlighting the importance of tailored treatment approaches.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Predicting time to recovery among depressed adolescents treated in two psychosocial group interventions. Rohde, P., Seeley, JR., Kaufman, NK., et al.[2019]

The family-based interpersonal psychotherapy (FB-IPT) showed high treatment compliance (88%) and led to significant reductions in depressive and anxiety symptoms among 16 preadolescents aged 9-12, indicating its feasibility and acceptability as a treatment option.

Preadolescents receiving FB-IPT alone experienced similar improvements in depressive symptoms and global functioning as those who also received antidepressant medication, suggesting that FB-IPT can be effective on its own.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Family-based interpersonal psychotherapy for depressed preadolescents: an open-treatment trial. Dietz, LJ., Mufson, L., Irvine, H., et al.[2021]

In a study involving 88 clinically depressed adolescents, manualized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) did not show superior effectiveness compared to Treatment As Usual (TAU) in reducing depressive symptoms, with both treatments yielding similar outcomes.

At post-treatment, 41.6% of adolescents receiving CBT and 31.8% receiving TAU were below the clinical cut-off for depressive symptoms, indicating that while both treatments were effective, CBT needs further refinement to enhance its efficacy in clinical practice.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness and moderators of individual cognitive behavioral therapy versus treatment as usual in clinically depressed adolescents: a randomized controlled trial. Stikkelbroek, Y., Vink, G., Nauta, MH., et al.[2021]

The 'Training for Awareness, Resilience and Action' (TARA) program is a novel group-treatment designed specifically for adolescents and young adults with depression, targeting mechanisms identified through neuroscientific research, and has shown preliminary efficacy in treating this age group.

This study will be the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) to compare TARA with standard treatments for major and persistent depressive disorders in patients aged 15-22, using a variety of outcome measures to comprehensively evaluate its effectiveness over time.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinical Effectiveness of Training for Awareness Resilience and Action Online Compared to Standard Treatment for Adolescents and Young Adults With Depression: Study Protocol and Analysis Plan for a Pragmatic, Multi-Center Randomized Controlled Superiority Trial. Ekbäck, E., Granåsen, G., Svärling, R., et al.[2021]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6286074/

Effect of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Humanistic and ... CATCH-IT indicates competent adulthood transition with cognitive behavioral humanistic and interpersonal training; CES-D10, Center for ...

2. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24800110/

Pilot Study of Implementation of an Internet-Based Depression ... The CATCH-IT intervention model consists of primary care screening to assess risk, a primary care physician interview to encourage participation, and 14 online ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0163834311002507

Adolescent and parent experiences with a primary care/ ... This article describes a mixed-methods approach to understand the experience of adolescents involved in the Internet-based intervention for depression, ...

4. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04290754

PATH 2 Purpose: Primary Care and Community-Based ... This study is a comparative effectiveness trial evaluating the efficacy of two evidence-based cognitive-behavioral prevention (CBP) programs: Teens Achieving ...

5. jmir.org jmir.org/2020/10/e16802/

24-Month Outcomes of Primary Care Web-Based ... Objective: This study compares CATCH-IT (Competent Adulthood Transition with Cognitive Behavioral Humanistic and Interpersonal Training), an ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10923135/

PATHway: Intervention optimization of a prevention program ... National Institute of Mental Health. CATCH-IT. Competent Adulthood Transition with Cognitive-Behavioral Humanistic and Interpersonal Therapy. MOST. Multiphase ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782915000330

Development of a technology-based behavioral vaccine to ... In this paper, we describe the research and development process of CATCH-IT (Competent Adulthood Transition with Cognitive-behavioral, Humanistic and ...

8. today.uic.edu today.uic.edu/online-program-helps-prevent-teen-depression/

Online program helps prevent teen depression A new study published in JAMA Network Open highlights the positive effect of one web-based intervention, called CATCH-IT, on preventing depressive episodes ...