50 Participants Needed

MAPS App for Suicidal Thoughts

Recruiting at 1 trial location
CC
Overseen ByCheryl Cordeiro
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Butler Hospital
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The primary aim of the present study is leverage existing infrastructure to develop novel technological features for a novel personalized smartphone intervention system, called the Mobile Application to Prevent Suicide (MAPS), and to establish feasibility, acceptability, safety, and estimate key parameters for primary outcomes (i.e., suicidal ideation and behavior; re-hospitalization), and target mechanisms.

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 doctor.

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

Research suggests that mobile apps can be useful in managing suicidal thoughts by providing safety planning and self-monitoring tools, which are considered acceptable and usable by patients. Although the integration of such apps into routine treatment needs further exploration, they have shown potential in increasing safety and self-management for individuals at risk of suicide.12345

Is the MAPS app for suicidal thoughts safe to use?

Research on similar apps shows they are generally safe and well-received by users, with high satisfaction and usability ratings. However, more studies are needed to fully understand their integration into regular treatment.12367

How is the MAPS App treatment for suicidal thoughts different from other treatments?

The MAPS App treatment is unique because it uses a mobile application to help prevent suicide by providing features like mood tracking, safety planning, and access to support networks, which are not typically part of traditional in-person therapy. This app-based approach allows for continuous self-monitoring and management of suicidal thoughts, offering a flexible and accessible option for individuals at risk.12389

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults aged 18-70 who have experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviors in the past month. Participants must own a smartphone and be able to read, write, and understand English to complete study tasks. It's not suitable for individuals with severe psychotic or manic symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria

Owns a smartphone
Able to read, write, and understand English well enough to complete study procedures
I have had thoughts or actions of suicide in the last month.

Exclusion Criteria

Current psychotic or manic symptoms severe enough to interfere with completion of study procedures

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive the Mobile Application to Prevent Suicide (MAPS) intervention, including Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) and ecological momentary assessment prompts for one month

4 weeks
Daily virtual check-ins via app

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including emergency department visits and rehospitalization

6 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • EMA Monitoring Only
  • Mobile Application to Prevent Suicide (MAPS)
Trial Overview The trial is testing a new personalized smartphone app called MAPS designed to prevent suicide. The study will assess how practical and acceptable this technology is, its safety, and its potential impact on reducing suicidal thoughts, behaviors, and re-hospitalization.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Mobile Application to Prevent Suicide (MAPS)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants receiving MAPS will receive the Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) which will be uploaded into the smartphone app. They will be prompted four times per day to complete a brief ecological momentary assessment "check-in" inquiring about their cognitions, affect, and behavior, including suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Based on these responses, they will be provided with coping strategies from their safety plans and from a database of coping strategies created by study staff. They will also have access to emergency phone numbers, the coping strategies database, and can communicate with their study clinician through a text-like interface in the app. They will receive this intervention for one month.
Group II: EMA Monitoring Only (EMO)Active Control1 Intervention
Participants in this condition will receive the Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) and will receive ecological momentary assessment prompts on the same schedule as the MAPS condition. However, they will not have access to any other MAPS features.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Butler Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials
133
Recruited
16,700+

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator

Trials
3,007
Recruited
2,852,000+

Brown University

Collaborator

Trials
480
Recruited
724,000+

Findings from Research

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]
Out of 69 assessed depression and suicide prevention apps, only 5 (7%) included all six recommended suicide prevention strategies, highlighting a significant gap in adherence to evidence-based guidelines.
Several popular apps provided incorrect crisis helpline numbers, raising concerns about the safety and reliability of mental health resources available to users, particularly given that some apps had over a million downloads.
Suicide prevention and depression apps' suicide risk assessment and management: a systematic assessment of adherence to clinical guidelines.Martinengo, L., Van Galen, L., Lum, E., et al.[2022]
The mobile app developed as part of the SERO suicide prevention program aims to reduce suicides and suicide attempts by enhancing self-management for individuals at risk, incorporating strategies like safety planning and mood tracking.
The app's design was informed by collaboration among health professionals, individuals at risk, and their families, ensuring it addresses real needs and integrates essential suicide prevention strategies effectively.
SERO - A New Mobile App for Suicide Prevention.Meier, L., Gurtner, C., Nuessli, S., et al.[2022]

References

The feasibility of using smartphone apps as treatment components for depressed suicidal outpatients. [2023]
Suicide prevention and depression apps' suicide risk assessment and management: a systematic assessment of adherence to clinical guidelines. [2022]
SERO - A New Mobile App for Suicide Prevention. [2022]
Suicide Prevention Mobile Apps for Indian Users: An Overview. [2021]
Clinical Considerations for Digital Resources in Care for Patients With Suicidal Ideation. [2023]
Development and pilot testing of an online monitoring tool of depression symptoms and side effects for young people being treated for depression. [2015]
Smartphone-based safety plan for suicidal crisis: The SmartCrisis 2.0 pilot study. [2023]
User Engagement and Usability of Suicide Prevention Apps: Systematic Search in App Stores and Content Analysis. [2021]
Smartphone-based safety planning and self-monitoring for suicidal patients: Rationale and study protocol of the CASPAR (Continuous Assessment for Suicide Prevention And Research) study. [2023]
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