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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01083628

Text Messaging and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression

This study aims to asses whether adding automated text messaging to group cognitive behavioral therapy for depression increases engagement which may lead to improved outcomes.

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Key information

Conditions

Depression Behavior Behavioral Symptoms

Age range

18 year–100 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

San Francisco General Hospital

San Francisco, California, 94110, United States

About this study

Background: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for depression is efficacious, but effectiveness is limited when implemented in low-income settings due to engagement difficulties including nonadherence with skill-building homework and early discontinuation of treatment. Automated messaging can be used in clinical settings to increase dosage of depression treatment and encourage sustained engagement with psychotherapy.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to test whether a text messaging adjunct (mood monitoring text messages, treatment-related text messages, and a clinician dashboard to display patient data) increases engagement and improves clinical outcomes in a group CBT treatment for depression. Specifically, the investigators aim to assess whether the text messaging adjunct led to an increase in group therapy sessions attended, an increase in duration of therapy attended, and reductions in Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item (PHQ-9) symptoms compared with the control condition of standard group CBT in a sample of low-income Spanish speaking Latino patients.

Methods: Patients in an outpatient behavioral health clinic were assigned to standard group CBT for depression (control condition; n=40) or the same treatment with the addition of a text messaging adjunct (n=45). The adjunct consisted of a daily mood monitoring message, a daily message reiterating the theme of that week's content, and medication and appointment reminders. Mood data and qualitative responses were sent to a Web-based platform (HealthySMS) for review by the therapist and displayed in session as a tool for teaching CBT skills.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Participation in CBT group at San Francisco General Hospital

Exclusion criteria

  • Active suicidality
  • Active and severe psychosis

Treatment and study plan

Group CBT for Depression with MoodText

Behavioral

Mobile phone based text messaging to inquire about mood, cognitions, and behaviors on a daily basis.

Other names: Group CBT for Depression with HealthySMS

Group CBT for Depression

Behavioral

Standard group CBT for depression using BRIGHT manual

Primary outcomes

  1. PHQ-9 Depression Symptoms

    Time frame: 16 weeks

    The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire - 9) is commonly used to screen for depression and to monitor progression of depressive symptoms over time. The scores represent the following depression severity: 0-4: minimal depression, 5-9: mild depression, 10-14: moderate depression, 15-19: moderately severe, 20-27: severe. A score of 10 is often recommended as the cut-off score for diagnosing an episode of depression that may require treatment.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Attendance

    Time frame: 16 weeks

    Number of sessions attended

  2. Duration of Therapy Attended

    Time frame: 16 weeks

    Number of weeks until patients dropped out of therapy

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of California, San Francisco

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Automated Text Messaging to Increase Engagement in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Depression

Acronym: HealthySMS

Important dates

Study start
2014
Primary completion
2016
Study completion
2017
First posted
Mar 10, 2010
Registry last updated
Aug 12, 2019

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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