Improving cognitive skills to enhance therapy for depression in young people

Social Cognitive Training to Enhance the Efficacy of CBT for Depression in Youth: A Developmental Approach

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY · NIH-10684214

This study is looking at whether teaching young people aged 12-17 better social skills can help them get more out of therapy for depression, and it’s for kids who are feeling really down or have been diagnosed with depression.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorVANDERBILT UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10684214 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates how enhancing social cognitive skills in youth can improve the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating depression. The study will involve children and adolescents aged 12-17 who have been diagnosed with depression or exhibit significant depressive symptoms. Participants will receive either a new intervention that combines social cognitive training with CBT or standard care. The goal is to see if improving social cognitive abilities helps these youths better engage with CBT strategies and ultimately reduces their depression levels.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are youths aged 12-17 who have been diagnosed with depression or show clinical levels of depressive symptoms.

Not a fit: Patients outside the age range of 12-17 or those without significant depressive symptoms may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment options for young people suffering from depression.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in enhancing cognitive skills to improve therapeutic outcomes, suggesting this approach could be effective.

Where this research is happening

Nashville, 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.