Feasibility of a Technology-Based Intervention for Depression Referral Uptake in Cancer Survivors

NCT07091968 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: Pro00142801
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Depression is very common in cancer survivors but there are challenges to linking those in need of treatment efficiently to care. In this study, investigators will test the feasibility and acceptability of a new text-based approach to connect cancer survivors with depression with care.

Conditions

Cancer; Depression

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Feasibility and Acceptability

  The co-primary outcomes are acceptability and feasibility of the technology-enabled referral intervention. Acceptability will be measured using the System Usability Scale (SUS) at 6 weeks, with a score ≥80 indicating high acceptability. Feasibility will be assessed by determining whether key components of the intervention were successfully delivered and engaged with over the course of the 4 week intervention, including: (1) initiation of text-based contact, (2) delivery of tailored messages, and (3) access of the automated referral link by the participant. Additionally, participant engagement will be evaluated by tracking whether they opened the initial message, viewed the embedded video, and read the tailored text messages. These outcomes will be summarized using a Bayesian beta-binomial approach to determine go/no-go decision thresholds for future scale-up.

  6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Referral Uptake

  6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Technology-Enabled Tailored Referral

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in the intervention arm will receive a technology-enabled, text-based referral platform designed to improve depression referral uptake. The platform includes an initial text with a brief video explaining common barriers, tailored text messages based on participant-identified barriers, and an automated referral link. Messages are mapped to stages of readiness using the Transtheoretical Model and sent every two days over a two-week period to non-responders or decliners. This approach aims to engage survivors with depression care through personalized, accessible, and stage-matched communication.

Behavioral: Technology-Enabled Tailored Referral

Usual Care Referral

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the usual care arm will receive a printed flyer with information on local and virtual mental health treatment resources. The flyer includes contact details for emergency services, psychiatric urgent care, psychological oncology programs, support groups, and behavioral health clinics in the Charleston area, many of which offer telehealth options. No personalized messages or follow-up outreach will be provided.

Interventions

Technology-Enabled Tailored Referral BEHAVIORAL

Participants in the intervention arm will receive a technology-enabled, text-based referral platform designed to improve depression referral uptake. The platform includes an initial text with a brief video explaining common barriers, tailored text messages based on participant-identified barriers, and an automated referral link. Messages are mapped to stages of readiness using the Transtheoretical Model and sent every two days over a two-week period to non-responders or decliners. This approach aims to engage survivors with depression through personalized, accessible, and stage-matched communication.

Technology-Enabled Tailored Referral

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• age \> 18 years
• diagnosis of cancer
• upcoming appointment in an HCC or HCN oncology clinic within 14 days
• English proficiency
• ownership of a cellphone with SMS text capability.
• elevated depressive symptoms at screening (as measured by \> 3 on the PHQ-2)

You may not qualify if:

• cognitive impairment as evaluated by attending physician
• currently receiving counseling for depression

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medical University of South Carolina: lead

Study Sites (1)

Medical University of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neoplasms; Depression

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Study Officials

• Katherine Sterba, PhD

  Medical University of South Carolina

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Lily P Research Assistant/Coordinator, MPH

CONTACT

843-792-5182; lir301@musc.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor-Faculty

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 21, 2025
• First Posted: July 29, 2025
• Study Start: January 16, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Last Updated: February 3, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)