Testing message-based therapy for depression
Message-based psychotherapy and digital treatment sequences for depression
This study is looking at whether daily text-based therapy or traditional video chat therapy is better for helping people with depression feel better, and it’s for anyone interested in finding out which method might work best for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Talkspace LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10701040 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of daily message-based psychotherapy (MBP) compared to traditional video-chat psychotherapy (VCP) for treating depression. It involves a pilot study to identify the best ways to keep participants engaged, followed by a randomized clinical trial to compare the two therapy methods. Participants will share information about their mood and daily activities, helping researchers understand which treatment works better and how to improve care for those who do not respond to initial therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who are experiencing symptoms of depression.
Not a fit: Patients who are not experiencing depression or who are currently receiving effective treatment may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more accessible and effective treatment option for individuals suffering from depression.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using digital platforms for therapy, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Talkspace LLC — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Padmanabhan, Aarthi — Talkspace LLC
- Study coordinator: Padmanabhan, Aarthi
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.