Proactive screening and a digital depression program for people with likely incurable cancer
Evaluation of a Proactive Identification and Digital Mental Health Intervention Approach to Address Unmet Psychosocial Needs of Individuals Living with Likely Incurable Cancer
This project will use routine depression screens and automated medical-record flags to offer a self-guided app-based therapy to people living with likely incurable cancer who have depressive symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11139525 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You may be identified through routine depression screening in your oncology clinic combined with automated review of your medical record to flag people with likely incurable cancer. If you qualify, you will be randomly assigned to receive a self-guided digital mental health program based on Behavioral Activation (the Moodivate app) or to continue usual care. The study team will track depressive symptoms, quality of life, and whether people start and stick with treatment. The overall aim is to make depression care easier to find and use for people living with likely incurable cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults living with likely incurable cancer who report depressive symptoms and receive care at participating oncology centers are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without depressive symptoms, those whose cancer is judged curable, or those who cannot or will not use a smartphone or digital app may not benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make it much easier for people with likely incurable cancer to access effective, scalable depression treatment through a digital app.
How similar studies have performed: Digital behavioral-activation programs and other psychosocial therapies have shown benefit for depression in cancer patients, but pairing automated record-based identification with a self-guided app for this specific group is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Charleston, United States
- Medical University of South Carolina — Charleston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dahne, Jennifer Renee — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Dahne, Jennifer Renee
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.