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Get ActivE Study for At-risk Youth

Geospatial and Ecological Momentary Assessment Technology and Activity Engagement for At-risk Youth (Get ActivE)

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
12 Years to 18 Years
Sex
All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

Not stated in the study description — ask the study team about visits and procedures.

Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This study tests whether the Vira app with a health coach can help teens with depression enjoy activities more. It is for teens ages 12–18 who have depression and trouble feeling enjoyment. Teens will be assigned by chance to use either Vira with coaching or the EARS app.

The study will adapt and deploy a digital Behavioral Activation app with mobile sensing, supported by health coaches, that encourages youth to engage in positive activities. The study has the potential to offer a low-cost and scalable behavioral intervention that may decrease risk of suicide among at-risk youth. This research will examine specifically whether an intervention involving an app called Vira, combined with health coaching (GET ActivE) can improve enjoyment for teens coping with depression. Research participants will be randomly assigned to one of two study intervention. One study intervention involves a) downloading an app called Vira and engaging by responding to a daily question, and b) participating in a conversation via text, phone, or messages through an appt with a health coach. The health coach will use the Vira app and principles from evidence-based therapy and behavior change to provide users with insights to sustain well-being and better manage risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors such as depressed mood and behavioral withdrawal. The second study intervention involves downloading an app called EARS and responding to a daily question.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • Age 12–18.
  • Have moderate to severe depression, with a score above 11 on the PHQ-9-M depression survey.
  • Have trouble feeling enjoyment, with a score above 1 on the survey question about enjoyment.
  • Can speak and read English well enough to take part.
  • Are willing to download the app on their smartphone.

Who can't join

  • Have mania (an unusually high-energy or irritable mood), psychosis (trouble knowing what is real), or a developmental disability that prevents understanding the study steps. The study team will check health records and do a phone screening.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Adolescents age 12-18 * Current moderate to severe depression (PHQ-9-M \> 11) * Current clinically significant anhedonia, operationalized as PHQ-9-M anhedonia item score \> 1 * English language fluency and literacy level sufficient to engage in study protocol * Willing to download the app on their smart phones Exclusion Criteria: * Evidence of mania, psychosis, or developmental disability precluding comprehension of study procedures per electronic health record review and phone screen.

Study sites (2)

PA