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NCT Number: NCT06831435

Effectiveness of Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for the Treatment of Depression: a Real-world Study

The project proposes to develop a digital product based on cognitive behavioral therapy for the assisted treatment of depression. The digital cognitive behavioral therapy in this study is conducted based on a self-developed mobile applet. The therapy is developed by psychotherapists, which is conducted for a total of 8 weeks, with weekly sessions including AI-guided course work and homework. This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic effects of CBT-based digital products for depression in patients through a real-world study, and to explore its genetic and neuroimaging mechanisms.

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Key information

Age range

14 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Peking University Sixth Hostipal

Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100191, China

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Weihua Yue

CONTACT

[email protected]

86-010-82805307

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 14-60 years (including 14 and 60), no gender restriction;
  • HAMD >= 14;
  • Written informed consent obtained from the patient; written informed consent obtained from the guardian for minors.

Exclusion criteria

  • Persons with severe suicidal tendencies (item 10 of the MADRS scale ≥ 5).

Treatment and study plan

a digital product based on CBT

Device

The digital cognitive behavioral therapy in this study is conducted based on a self-developed mobile applet. The therapy is developed by psychotherapists, which is conducted for a total of 8 weeks, with weekly sessions including Al-guided course work and homework.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change from baseline in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD)

    Time frame: Week 4 and 8 of treatment duration

    The outcome is assessed by 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) Scale. Total HAMD scores range from 0 to 52, with higher scores indicating more severe depressive symptoms. The change of HAMD from baseline to 8-week (after intervention) was used as the primary outcome.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change from baseline in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)

    Time frame: Week 4 and 8 of treatment duration

    The outcome is assessed by Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Total MADRS score ranges from 0 to 60, with higher scores indicating greater severity of depression. The change of MADRS from baseline to 8-week (after intervention) was used.

  2. Change from baseline in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)

    Time frame: Week 4 and 8 of treatment duration

    The outcome is assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The PANSS consists of 30 items, divided into three subscales: Positive Symptoms (7 items), Negative Symptoms (7 items), and General Psychopathology (16 items). Each item is rated on a 7-point scale from 1 (absent) to 7 (extreme), with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms. The total PANSS score ranges from 30 to 210, with higher scores reflecting greater symptom severity.

  3. Response to treatment

    Time frame: Week 4 and 8 of treatment duration

    Reduction rate of Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) or Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score ≥50% was recognized as response to treatment.

  4. Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness (CGI-S)

    Time frame: Week 4 and 8 of treatment duration

    The outcome was assessed by the Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness (CGI-S) scale. It is rated on a 7-point scale. Higher scores indicate more severe symptoms.

  5. Change from baseline in Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA)

    Time frame: Week 4 and 8 of treatment duration

    The outcome is assessed by 14-item Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). Total score ranges from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating greater severity of anxiety. The change of HAMA from baseline to 8-week (after intervention) was used.

  6. Change from baseline in Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS)

    Time frame: Week 4 and 8 of treatment duration

    This outcome is assessed by Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS). Total score ranges from 22 to 88, with higher scores indicating greater severity of rumination. The change of RRS from baseline to 8-week (after intervention) was used.

  7. Change from baseline in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)

    Time frame: Week 4 and 8 of treatment duration

    This outcome is assessed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Total score ranges from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating greater severity of sleep problems. The change of PSQI from baseline to 8-week (after intervention) was used.

  8. Change from baseline in Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC)

    Time frame: Week 4 and 8 of treatment duration

    This outcome is assessed by Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater resilience. The change of CD-RISC from baseline to 8-week (after intervention) was used.

  9. Change from baseline in Thinc-Integrated Tool(THINC-it)

    Time frame: Week 8 of treatment duration

    Cognitive function was assessed by Thinc-Integrated Tool(THINC-it) using digital device. The change of THINC-it from baseline to 8-week (after intervention) was used.

  10. Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)

    Time frame: Week 4 and 8 of treatment duration

    This outcome is assessed by Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ), which is used to assess the positive symptom of bipolar. A positive screening for bipolar disorder is determined when there are ≥7 of the 13 screening symptoms present, at least one "yes" response in the second section indicating the co-occurrence of several symptoms, and a severity level of "moderate" or "serious problem" in the third section.

  11. Rating Scale for Side Effects(SERS)

    Time frame: Week 4 and 8 of treatment duration

    This outcome is assessed by Rating Scale for Side Effects (SERS), which assess 13 side-effects. Total score ranges from 13 to 52, with higher scores indicating more side-effects.

  12. Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-3 (CSQ-3)

    Time frame: Week 8 of treatment duration

    User's satisfaction was assessed by Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-3 (CSQ-3). Total score ranges from 3 to 12. with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction.

  13. Change from baseline in Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS)

    Time frame: Week 4 and 8 of treatment duration

    The outcome is assessed by the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). The YMRS consists of 11 items that assess the severity of manic symptoms, including mood, speech, motor activity, sexual interest, sleep, and other behaviors. Each item is rated on a scale from 0 to 4, with higher scores indicating greater severity of manic symptoms. The total YMRS score can range from 0 to 44, with higher scores reflecting more severe mania.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Weihua Yue

CONTACT

[email protected]

86-010-82805307

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Peking University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Feb 18, 2025
Registry last updated
Dec 15, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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