Creating a digital tool to help treat depression in teenagers

Developing a Digital Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention for Adolescent Depression Treatment in Primary Care

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · NIH-11074566

This study is testing a helpful app called Sidekick that uses your smartphone and wearable devices to keep track of your sleep and activity, so it can offer support to teens dealing with depression when they need it most.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON (nih funded)
Locations1 site (SEATTLE, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11074566 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research aims to develop a digital intervention called Sidekick to support adolescents suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) in primary care settings. By utilizing smartphones and wearable devices, the intervention will monitor sleep patterns and physical activity levels, providing timely support when needed. The project will involve optimizing algorithms and conducting user testing to ensure the tool effectively engages adolescents and addresses their mental health needs. The goal is to create a scalable solution that can be easily integrated into existing healthcare practices.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents diagnosed with major depressive disorder who may benefit from innovative digital interventions.

Not a fit: Patients who are not adolescents or those without a diagnosis of major depressive disorder may not receive benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide adolescents with a more accessible and effective way to manage their depression and improve their overall well-being.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using digital tools for mental health interventions, indicating that this approach could be effective.

Where this research is happening

SEATTLE, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.