Adaptive peer-supported mobile health for veterans with psychological distress

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional study uses a SMART design to tailor the level of peer support for veterans using mobile health apps addressing psychological distress. It aims to see if different doses of peer coaching improve app engagement and health outcomes compared with minimal or no peer support. Eligible veterans are those enrolled in VA primary care with clinically significant distress, and exclusions apply to safety risks or concurrent psychotherapy changes. The intervention options include self-managed mHealth, 1 session of peer mHealth, 4 sessions of peer mHealth, or 4 sessions of peer Whole Health support, delivered across three VA facilities. The goal is to develop a scalable, stepped-care approach that can be implemented within VA primary care settings.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Veteran enrolled in primary care at one of 3 VA facilities (Philadelphia, PA; Ann Arbor, MI; and Bedford, MA)
* clinically significant psychological distress on at least one DASS-21 subscale (Depression =\> 10, Anxiety =\> 8, Stress =\> 13)

Exclusion Criteria:

* symptoms that may preclude active engagement in the intervention such as gross cognitive impairment or current symptoms of mania or psychosis
* suicide risk as measured by the P4 Suicide Assessment
* plan to engage in psychotherapy during the intervention period
* started or changed the dose of a psychotropic medication in the last two months
* voice a preference to be directly referred to mental health specialty care

Where it's running

• Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY
  Syracuse, New York, United States Recruiting
• VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
  Palo Alto, California, United States Not yet recruiting
• VA Bedford HealthCare System, Bedford, MA
  Bedford, Massachusetts, United States Not yet recruiting
• VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI
  Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States Not yet recruiting
• Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Kyle Possemato, PhD — Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY
• Study coordinator: Kyle Possemato, PhD
• Email: kyle.possemato@va.gov
• Phone: (315) 425-4400

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.