Single-Session Interventions for Depression

Overseen By Benjamin T Kaveladze, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Northwestern University

Disqualifiers: Under 18, Non-English speakers, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether new digital single-session interventions (SSIs) can reduce depression in American adults. It tests 11 different SSIs, such as mindfulness, expressive writing, and cognitive reappraisal, against a simple control activity. Participants will engage in these brief online sessions to determine which ones most effectively improve mood. This trial suits individuals experiencing moderate depression who can access the internet for two sessions over four weeks. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could shape future mental health treatments.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

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

Research has shown that many single-session treatments (SSIs) for depression have been safe in past studies. Mindfulness techniques, such as Mindful Attention Skills and Mindful Acceptance, are typically safe and have been linked to reduced depression and anxiety. Studies suggest these mindfulness methods can improve mental health with minimal risks.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Skills have also been tested for safety and show promise in reducing depression symptoms. Although some individuals may experience worsening symptoms, the therapy is generally safe, especially with professional guidance.

Cognitive Reappraisal, which involves changing thoughts about negative situations, is another well-researched method. Research suggests it can help reduce negative feelings and is generally safe for mental health use.

Expressive Writing, even when aided by AI, has been shown to improve mental health. Experts indicate it is a safe way to help individuals express and process their thoughts and feelings.

Moral Elevation, which involves feeling inspired by acts of kindness, has been linked to positive emotions. Studies have not identified significant safety concerns with this approach.

Lastly, Personalized Intervention Recommenders and other digital tools are becoming more common. Reviews show these digital mental health tools are generally well-received, with ongoing research ensuring their safety and effectiveness.

Overall, these treatments are designed to be safe and helpful, with the potential to improve mental health through various innovative methods. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these single-session interventions for depression because they offer quick, accessible ways to manage symptoms without the need for prolonged therapy. Unlike traditional treatments like antidepressants or weekly therapy sessions, these interventions can provide immediate tools for coping with negative thoughts and emotions. For example, the "Interactive Cognitive Reappraisal" teaches participants to reframe negative thoughts in a single session, while the "Inner Child Healing Walk" uses breathing exercises and positive affirmations to promote self-compassion. These innovative approaches aim to empower individuals by offering practical strategies that can be easily integrated into daily life, potentially transforming how depression is managed.

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

Research shows that single-session interventions (SSIs) can effectively reduce symptoms of depression. In this trial, participants may receive different SSIs, such as "5 Habits to Beat Depression," which studies have shown can significantly reduce depression and anxiety, especially when offered online. Another option in this trial is the "Interactive Cognitive Reappraisal" method, which involves learning to change negative thoughts and has shown promise in improving mental health, with some studies indicating small to medium benefits. Additionally, participants might experience the "Inner Child Healing Walk" or other mindfulness-based activities, which can help lower stress and anxiety. Overall, these digital interventions provide a quick and easy way to address depression symptoms. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for American adults who can access the internet to complete sessions over four weeks, read and write English fluently, have moderate depression (scoring at least 10 on the PHQ-9), pass attention checks, and are at least 18 years old. Those not participating seriously will be excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

I can access the internet to complete 3 sessions in 4 weeks.

I passed the attention and bot checks in the survey.

I can read and write English fluently.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Intervention

Participants engage in a single-session intervention (SSI) to address depression, which includes various digital formats such as videos, interactive exercises, and audio programs.

Immediate post-intervention

1 session (digital)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in depression symptoms and other psychological measures at week 4.

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• 5 Habits to Beat Depression
• All about Trout
• Behavioral Activation (Action Brings Change Project 10-Minute Version)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Skills
• Expressive Writing (AI-supported)
• Inner Child Healing Walk
• Interactive Cognitive Reappraisal
• Mindful Acceptance
• Mindful Attention Skills
• Moral Elevation
• Personalized Intervention Recommender
• Reframing Negative Thoughts
• Savoring Strategies

Trial Overview

The study tests if new digital single-session interventions (SSIs) for depression are effective. It compares 11 innovative SSIs with different content and styles against a passive control group and an established SSI in terms of their ability to alleviate symptoms of depression.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: SSI 9: Personalized Intervention Recommender Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Identifies the kinds of depression one struggles most with and offers a personalized recommendation for future depression support options.

Group II: SSI 8: Savoring Strategies Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

An SSI introducing savoring strategies to improve mood.

Group III: SSI 7: Inner Child Healing Walk Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

An interactive journey to reconnect and heal one's inner child through breathing exercises, positive affirmations, and supportive animal companions.

Group IV: SSI 6: Expressive Writing (AI-supported) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants describe a persistent negative thought they struggle with and a large language model system helps them to consider a story in which someone learns to overcome that thought.

Group V: SSI 5: Interactive Cognitive Reappraisal Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

An interactive SSI where participants learn how to reframe negative thoughts.

Group VI: SSI 4: 5 Habits to Beat Depression Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A clinical psychologist and science communicator describes his top 5 one-minute habits to beat depression.

Group VII: SSI 3: Mindful Attention Skills Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A series of videos teach mindfulness skills: how to release thoughts and re-evaluate.

Group VIII: SSI 2: Moral Elevation Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Users learn about moral elevation, then watch a touching video where a man does good deeds for people in his community. Finally, they plan a positive action they can take to help others in their own life.

Group IX: SSI 1: Mindful Acceptance Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A clinical psychologist explains a few ways to use mindful acceptance to deal with difficult thoughts and feelings.

Group X: SSI 11: Reframing Negative Thoughts Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

An audio-only program in which users are guided to reflect on how they might challenge negative automatic thoughts and beliefs they struggle with.

Group XI: SSI 10: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Skills Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Presents videos from dialectical behavioral therapy on various ways to control negative emotions.

Group XII: Passive control (All About Trout) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The passive control condition aims to hold one's attention for 8-10 minutes without influencing depressive symptoms or mood (a three-minute video, multiple-choice questions, two-minute reading passage, three-minute writing exercise, all about trout).

Group XIII: Behavioral Activation (Action Brings Change Project) Active Control 1 Intervention

A behavioral activation SSI where users learn about negative thought spirals, share advice with an imagined peer, and create an "action plan" of helpful activities to engage in in the future.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Northwestern University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,674

Recruited

989,000+

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator

Trials

3,007

Recruited

2,852,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A study involving 128 participants with major depressive episodes found that a Health Action Process Approach (HAPA)-based internet-delivered behavioral activation intervention significantly reduced clinician-rated depressive symptoms compared to a control group, with a strong effect size at 8 weeks (d = 0.79).

The intervention group also showed improvements in self-rated depressive symptoms, behavioral activation, and various motivational and volitional outcomes, indicating that the HAPA framework effectively enhances treatment for depression.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a Web-Based Behavioral Activation Intervention on Depressive Symptoms, Activation, Motivation, and Volition: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Mueller-Weinitschke, C., Bengel, J., Baumeister, H., et al.[2023]

A web-based behavioral activation intervention called Bounce Back Now (BBN) was developed to help adolescents with depression, showing promising feasibility based on usability evaluations with 24 adolescents and preliminary data from 2,000 disaster-affected youth.

The intervention received positive feedback from users and demonstrated moderate levels of access, suggesting that web-based approaches could effectively improve treatment access for adolescents who might not seek traditional therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility assessment of a brief, web-based behavioral activation intervention for adolescents with depressed mood. Davidson, TM., Yuen, EK., Felton, JW., et al.[2014]

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