Using mobile health technology to assess cognitive and emotional factors in Veterans at risk of suicide

Application of a mobile health platform for assessing cognition and psychiatric symptoms in Veterans

NIH-funded research VA San Diego Healthcare System · NIH-11070375

This study is looking at how using smartphones can help us understand the thinking and feelings of Veterans who are having thoughts of suicide, by tracking their mental performance and emotions over two weeks.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVA San Diego Healthcare System NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Diego, United States)
Project IDNIH-11070375 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how mobile health technology can be used to assess cognitive performance and emotional states in Veterans who are experiencing suicidal thoughts. By utilizing smartphones, the study aims to measure fluctuations in cognitive control and social cognition in real-time, providing insights into the risk factors associated with suicide. Veterans with current suicidal ideation will participate in a two-week assessment involving mobile cognitive tests and ecological momentary assessments to better understand the relationship between cognitive performance and suicide risk.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans who are currently experiencing suicidal ideation.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have suicidal thoughts or cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved methods for predicting and preventing suicide in Veterans by identifying critical cognitive and emotional factors.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using mobile health technology for mental health assessments, indicating potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

San Diego, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.