120 Participants Needed

Jaspr Health App for Suicidal Thoughts

DM
AK
AR
AK
Overseen ByAngela Kelley Brimer, MS
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Evidence-Based Practice Institute, Seattle, WA
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The central purpose of this project is to evaluate and facilitate access to evidence-based best practices for individuals struggling with suicidal ideation and co-occurring behavioral problems, including alcohol misuse, and provide assistance to the patients while they are waiting to receive care, as they are receiving care, and after they return home. While WisePath is highly innovative in how it delivers these best practices, the content is well-established and known to reduce suicidality and alcohol misuse. We will conduct a 12-week intent-to-treat RCT with 120 suicidal adults 22 years and older who may also be experiencing alcohol misuse. Participants will be randomly assigned to WisePath (n=60) or an active control condition (n=60) including a control suicide prevention self-help app plus an electronic wellness resources brochure containing links to health and wellness materials, psychoeducation about suicide, depression, self-help recovery-focused resources (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-Step programs, Moderation Management, etc.), and phone/text information for the 988 Suicide \& Crisis Lifeline. Participants will be assessed at baseline, 4, 8 and 12 weeks.

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 might be best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.

What data supports the effectiveness of the Jaspr Health App for Suicidal Thoughts treatment?

Research shows that mental health apps, like the Virtual Hope Box and WellPATH, are found to be beneficial and easy to use for people at risk of suicide, suggesting that similar apps can be helpful in managing suicidal thoughts.12345

Is the Jaspr Health App for Suicidal Thoughts safe for use in humans?

Research on similar mental health apps shows they are generally safe and well-accepted by users. Studies found high satisfaction and usability ratings, suggesting these apps can be safely integrated into mental health care.13567

How is the Jaspr2.0 treatment for suicidal thoughts different from other treatments?

Jaspr2.0 is unique because it uses a tablet-based app to deliver evidence-based practices directly to patients in emergency departments, providing timely and personalized support for those experiencing suicidal thoughts. Unlike traditional treatments, it adapts to the individual's needs in real-time, offering a more accessible and immediate intervention.89101112

Research Team

LA

Linda A. Dimeff, PhD

Principal Investigator

Chief Executive Officer

Eligibility Criteria

Adults over 18 with suicidal thoughts, who have seen their primary care provider in the past year, use a smartphone with data, and may misuse alcohol can join. Those with severe depression or alcohol dependence, acute suicidal tendencies, or significant drug abuse cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

Scores 1 or greater on Item 9 of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
I am 18 years old or older.
To ensure a sufficient sample of individuals who misuse alcohol, no fewer than 35% of the sample will be comprised of individuals who score 8 or more on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), indicating a harmful or hazardous level of drinking.
See 3 more

Exclusion Criteria

You are currently feeling very suicidal or have had recent thoughts of hurting yourself.
I have severe depression based on my PHQ-9 score.
Alcohol dependence (AUDIT score of 15 or greater)
See 1 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2 weeks
1 visit (virtual)

Treatment

Participants are randomly assigned to either the WisePath app or an active control condition for 12 weeks

12 weeks
4 assessments (virtual) at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in suicidal ideation, alcohol misuse, and other behavioral health concerns

4 weeks
1 visit (virtual)

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Active-Control app + electronic wellness resources brochure
  • Jaspr2.0
Trial OverviewThe trial is testing Jaspr2.0 app against an active control (Virtual Hope Box + wellness resources) for helping adults manage suicidal ideation and alcohol misuse. It's a randomized study assessing participants at multiple points over 12 weeks.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: WisePath for AdultsExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
WisePath is designed to help support individuals during challenging moments and while experiencing behavioral concerns. The app is designed for people who struggle with depression, sleep problems, have feelings of wanting to die, or want to harm themselves, and/or misuse alcohol. WisePath includes specific tools for those who are experiencing suicidality, including creating a safety plan and teaching skills and strategies to get through distressing moments. You have been assigned to use the WisePath app while you are in this study.
Group II: Active-Control app + electronic wellness resources brochureActive Control1 Intervention
Well-regarded suicide prevention self-help app, plus an electronic wellness resources brochure containing links to health and wellness materials, psychoeducation about suicide, depression, self-help recovery-focused resources (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous, other 12-Step programs, Moderation Management, etc.), and phone/text information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Evidence-Based Practice Institute, Seattle, WA

Lead Sponsor

Trials
9
Recruited
29,800+

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Collaborator

Trials
865
Recruited
1,091,000+

Findings from Research

The WellPATH app, used during a 12-week psychotherapy intervention for middle-aged and older adults after suicide-related hospitalization, showed high feasibility and acceptability, with participants and therapists expressing satisfaction with the app.
Case studies indicated that using WellPATH helped patients reduce negative emotions and improve their ability to regulate emotions, suggesting potential benefits for suicide prevention.
An Emotion Regulation Tablet App for Middle-Aged and Older Adults at High Suicide Risk: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Two Case Studies.Kiosses, DN., Monkovic, J., Stern, A., et al.[2022]
The Virtual Hope Box (VHB) app was found to be more regularly used and preferred by high-risk patients and their clinicians compared to a traditional hope box, indicating its potential effectiveness in helping patients cope with negative thoughts and stress.
Patients reported that the VHB was beneficial, easy to set up, and expressed a strong likelihood of continued use and recommendation to others, suggesting its practicality as a therapeutic tool.
A Virtual Hope Box smartphone app as an accessory to therapy: proof-of-concept in a clinical sample of veterans.Bush, NE., Dobscha, SK., Crumpton, R., et al.[2022]
The study evaluated the feasibility of two mental health apps, BackUp and mEMA, for treating depressed outpatients with suicidal ideation, involving 17 participants over a 3-month period.
Both apps were found to be usable and acceptable, scoring above the thresholds for usability and satisfaction, but the study did not meet the criteria for sufficient uptake, indicating that further exploration is needed for integrating these apps into routine mental healthcare.
The feasibility of using smartphone apps as treatment components for depressed suicidal outpatients.Nuij, C., van Ballegooijen, W., de Beurs, D., et al.[2023]

References

An Emotion Regulation Tablet App for Middle-Aged and Older Adults at High Suicide Risk: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Two Case Studies. [2022]
A Virtual Hope Box smartphone app as an accessory to therapy: proof-of-concept in a clinical sample of veterans. [2022]
The feasibility of using smartphone apps as treatment components for depressed suicidal outpatients. [2023]
Suicide Prevention Mobile Apps for Indian Users: An Overview. [2021]
Clinical Considerations for Digital Resources in Care for Patients With Suicidal Ideation. [2023]
Smartphone-based safety plan for suicidal crisis: The SmartCrisis 2.0 pilot study. [2023]
Development and pilot testing of an online monitoring tool of depression symptoms and side effects for young people being treated for depression. [2015]
MYPLAN -mobile phone application to manage crisis of persons at risk of suicide: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. [2022]
Using a Tablet-Based App to Deliver Evidence-Based Practices for Suicidal Patients in the Emergency Department: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. [2023]
SERO - A New Mobile App for Suicide Prevention. [2022]
11.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions for Suicide Prevention: Promise, Challenges, and Future Directions. [2023]
A Systematic Evaluation of Mobile Health Applications for the Prevention of Suicidal Behavior or Non-suicidal Self-injury. [2023]