Gamified versus traditional and sham attention-bias training for adults with depression
Official title: Confirmatory Efficacy Trial of a Traditional vs. Gamified Attention Bias Modification for Depression
Run by University of Texas at Austin · NCT06361095 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether a gamified mobile attention-bias training or traditional attention-bias training helps reduce symptoms in adults with elevated depression compared with a sham version.
Quick facts
| Phase | Early Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 600 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Texas at Austin Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Austin, Texas) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 1, 2024 |
| Main results expected | November 30, 2027 |
| Study ends | May 1, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | September 15, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06361095 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18–70 with elevated depressive symptoms (QIDS-SR ≥13), fluent in English, with stable medication regimens if on antidepressants, and not currently receiving psychotherapy are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
People with current or past bipolar or psychotic disorders, recent significant suicidal behavior, current moderate-or-greater substance use disorder, those currently in psychotherapy, or those taking opioid analgesics or systemic corticosteroids are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized early-phase 1 efficacy trial will enroll 600 adults (ages 18–70) with elevated depressive symptoms and randomize them to gamified ABM, traditional ABM, or sham ABM delivered via a mobile application. Participants will complete self-report measures (including QIDS-SR), clinician interviews, and eye-tracking tasks at baseline and follow-up to measure symptom change, attention bias, and mechanisms of action. Investigators will compare symptom reductions across groups, examine moderators and mechanisms of response, and test the short-term durability of effects. The trial requires stable medication dosing for 12 weeks if applicable and excludes individuals with bipolar or psychotic disorders, recent significant suicidal behavior, notable substance use disorders, current psychotherapy, or certain medication exposures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide an engaging, widely accessible digital treatment option that helps reduce depressive symptoms without adding medication.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows traditional ABM can alter negative attention bias and has preliminary efficacy for depression, while gamified ABM has early pilot signals but lacks large confirmatory evidence.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Provided informed consent * Fluent in English * Scored 13 or greater on the QIDS-SR at the baseline assessment * Between the ages of 18 to 70 * Have had no changes in medication and dosage in the past 12 weeks (if currently on antidepressant medication) Exclusion Criteria: * Reported suicidal behavior or significant suicidal ideation within the past six months using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) * Met criteria for current or past bipolar or psychotic disorders * Current (i.e., within the past 12 months) substance use disorders of moderate or greater severity on the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) * Currently taking opioid analgesics or systemic corticosteroid use as these medications * Currently receiving psychotherapy
Where it's running
-
Institute for Mental Health Research
Austin, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Christopher G Beevers, PhD — UT Austin
- Study coordinator: Christopher G Beevers, PhD
- Email: beevers@utexas.edu
- Phone: 5124717557
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.