Better depression care for cancer survivors (Project 3)
Optimizing Care for Cancer Survivors With Depression (OASIS): Project 3
This project will test whether a self-guided app called Moodivate or telehealth behavioral-activation sessions better help adult cancer survivors with depression.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 45 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Medical University of South Carolina Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Charleston, South Carolina) |
| Trial ID | NCT06930729 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adult cancer survivors with elevated depressive symptoms are randomly assigned to receive either the Moodivate behavioral-activation app (about two-thirds of participants) or telehealth-delivered behavioral-activation sessions (about one-third). Moodivate users may be later offered telehealth if their symptoms do not improve; all treatments last about 10 weeks. Participants complete electronic questionnaires throughout the study to track depressive symptoms and user experience. Eligibility requires PHQ-9 score ≥8, English fluency, ability to use telehealth and the app, and no current suicidal ideation.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) who are cancer survivors with elevated depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥8), not currently receiving psychosocial depression treatment, able to use telehealth and the Moodivate app, and reachable by email or text in English.
Not a fit: People with current suicidal ideation, those already receiving psychosocial depression treatment, or those unable to use a smartphone or telehealth are excluded and unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could expand convenient, evidence-based depression care options for cancer survivors, especially those with transportation or provider-access barriers.
How similar studies have performed: Behavioral Activation is an evidence-based therapy recommended for cancer-related depression, and prior trials of digital mental health interventions and telehealth have shown promise though direct head-to-head comparisons are limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * age 18+ * cancer survivor * current elevated depressive symptoms defined per ASCO as a PHQ-9 score ≥ 8 * not currently receiving psychosocial depression treatment * have the ability to complete treatment via telehealth and use Moodivate * have a valid e-mail address or text message access (for assessments) * English fluency Exclusion Criteria: \- Current suicidal ideation at final eligibility screening (PHQ-9 item 9 ≥1)
Where this trial is running
Charleston, South Carolina
- Medical University of South Carolina — Charleston, South Carolina, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jennifer Dahne, MD — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Olivia Levins
- Email: levins@musc.edu
- Phone: 843-792-3681
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.