Gamified versus traditional and sham attention-bias training for adults with depression
Confirmatory Efficacy Trial of a Traditional vs. Gamified Attention Bias Modification for Depression
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 |
| Enrollment | 600 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Texas at Austin Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Austin, Texas) |
| Trial ID | NCT06361095 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
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.
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.
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 performed: 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.
Eligibility criteria
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 this trial is running
Austin, Texas
- 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
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.