Smartphone App for Serious Mental Illness

Overseen By Alexander Stehle Young, MD MSHS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

Disqualifiers: Under 18, Conservator, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

96 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a mobile app for Veterans with serious mental illness. The app tracks movement, sleep, and social interactions using smartphone data. It aims to detect early signs of worsening mental health and alert users and their healthcare providers for timely intervention.

Who Is on the Research Team?

Alexander Stehle Young, MD MSHS

Principal Investigator

VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, West Los Angeles, CA

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adult Veterans at the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Healthcare Center diagnosed with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder. Participants must have had a risk of symptom exacerbation in the past year and own a smartphone with a data plan.

Inclusion Criteria

You need to have a smartphone with internet access.

I've had significant mental health care needs in the past year.

I have had significant mental health care needs in the past year.

Exclusion Criteria

I am under 18 years old.

I have a legal guardian or representative.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

User-Centered Design

Conduct user-centered design of passive mobile self-tracking to support Veterans' management of their mental health

3 months

Passive Self-Tracking

Participants use a mobile application to passively self-track their behaviors and psychiatric symptoms

9 months

Monthly virtual check-ins

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the main study period

3 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Mobile Self-Tracking

Trial Overview The study tests an app that uses mobile phone data to monitor sociability, activity, and sleep as indicators of mental health status. It aims to detect early signs of relapse in patients with serious mental illnesses for timely intervention.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: mobile application Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants use a mobile application on their smartphone

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

VA Office of Research and Development

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,691

Recruited

3,759,000+