A brief intervention for suicide prevention
Neural Mechanisms and Predictors of an Ultra-Brief Suicide Prevention Strategy
This study is testing if a one-hour crisis planning session can help adults who are feeling suicidal feel better compared to regular support methods.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 190 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Ohio State University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Columbus, Ohio) |
| Trial ID | NCT05275101 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of a one-hour crisis response planning session compared to standard crisis risk management for adults with current suicidal intent. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two interventions, and their emotional regulation, behavioral inhibition, stress reactivity, and suicide risk will be assessed immediately after the intervention and at a six-month follow-up. Daily mood and suicidality assessments will be conducted for the first ten days post-intervention, followed by monthly evaluations for six months. A cohort of healthy controls will also be included for comparison.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who currently express suicidal intent.
Not a fit: Patients with severe mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or current substance use disorders, may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly reduce suicide risk and improve emotional regulation in individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been various approaches to suicide prevention, this specific ultra-brief intervention is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Generally medically and neurologically healthy * Age 18 years or older at the time of consent * Willing and able to give informed consent * Individuals in the acutely suicidal group: endorse current suicide intent as indicated by a total score of 5 or greater on the Beck's Scale for Suicidal Ideation. Exclusion Criteria: * Medical or neurologic condition or neurocognitive dysfunction that would interfere with the study * Current or past manic/hypomanic episode, schizophrenia, or psychotic symptoms * Deafness in either ear * Currently pregnant or trying to become pregnant * Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) within the past 6 months * Current moderate to severe substance use disorder * Lack of fluency in English * Positive alcohol breathalyzer test and/or acute drug intoxication the day of the fMRI scans * Unwilling or unable to sign the informed consent document * Under 18 years old at the time of enrollment * Traumatic brain injury from a suicide attempt or another event * Presence of ferrous-containing metals within the body * Inability to tolerate small, enclosed spaces without significant anxiety * Individuals enrolled as controls: no lifetime history of any DSM-5 disorder * Individuals enrolled as controls: no lifetime history of suicide ideation or intent
Where this trial is running
Columbus, Ohio
- Ohio State University — Columbus, Ohio, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Stephanie Gorka, PhD — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Stephanie Gorka, PhD
- Email: stephanie.gorka@osumc.edu
- Phone: 614-366-1027
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.