Depression, Experiential Diversity, and Behavioral Novelty

NCT05767554 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: STUDY00003773
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 77
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of the study is to test whether changes in behavioral patterns are related to changes in depression. Depression is a psychological condition that involves persistent sad mood and/or an inability to enjoy pleasurable activities. Very stable behavioral patterns may be related to symptoms of depression. The aim of this study is to learn more about the relationship between symptoms of depression and behavioral patterns that are collected via global positioning system location data from a smart phone.

Conditions

Depression

Keywords

Behavioral activation; Mobile sensing

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Patient Health Questionnaire-8 Total Score over 5 Weeks

  Level of depression symptoms assessed weekly by the Patient Health Questionnaire - 8 via smart phone survey. The PHQ-8 ranges from 0-24 with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms of depression.

  Baseline and 5 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale over 5 Weeks

  Baseline and 5 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Brief modified behavioral activation

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants randomized to the behavioral activation condition will meet with a graduate level clinician for one hour.

Behavioral: Brief modified behavioral activation

Measurement-only control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants who are not randomized to the active condition will take part in a measurement-only control condition. They will participate in all portions of the study except for the in-person behavioral activation session. They will complete a baseline and fill out daily surveys.

Interventions

Brief modified behavioral activation BEHAVIORAL

The clinician will deliver psychoeducation about the nature of depression and the rationale behind the behavioral activation model (i.e. increasing level of activation can begin a positive feedback cycle of reward and improvements in mood state). Participants will be encouraged to add new, enjoyable activities to their daily schedules. Clinicians will emphasize the importance of novelty and increased engagement with the surrounding environment in the psychoeducational portion and in activity scheduling.

Brief modified behavioral activation

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18-25
• Possession and daily use of a smart phone
• Able to speak and read English
• Patient Health Questionnaire -8 (PHQ-8) \> 10
• Behavioral Activation for Depression (BADS) Activation Subscale \< 16
• Ability to complete all study procedures

You may not qualify if:

• Self-reported lifetime diagnosis of agoraphobia or bipolar disorder
• Severe neurodevelopmental disorder
• Major travel plans within study period

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Texas at Austin: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Texas at Austin Institute of Mental Health Research

Austin, Texas, 78712, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depression

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Study Officials

• Christopher G Beevers, PhD

  University of Texas at Austin

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor of Psychology

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 2, 2023
• First Posted: March 14, 2023
• Study Start: April 21, 2023
• Primary Completion: March 31, 2024
• Study Completion: March 31, 2024
• Last Updated: August 12, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)