Guided mobile app intervention for depression and anxiety in university students

Effectiveness of a Guided Mobile App Intervention for Depression and Anxiety in University Students: a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (PROMES-U Study)

Not applicable Interventional University of the Balearic Islands · NCT06078007

This study is testing a mobile app called MyMoodCoach to see if it can help university students in Spain feel less depressed and anxious.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment600 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of the Balearic Islands Academic / other
Locations1 site (Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands)
Trial IDNCT06078007 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a guided mobile app intervention, MyMoodCoach, aimed at reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms among undergraduate students at six public universities in Spain. It is a multicenter randomized controlled trial where 600 students with mild to moderate symptoms will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or a control group receiving treatment as usual. Participants will complete an online survey assessing various mental health factors, including sociodemographic variables and recent stressful events, to measure the intervention's impact on their mental health.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are undergraduate students aged 18 and older who exhibit mild to moderate symptoms of depression and/or anxiety and have access to a smartphone.

Not a fit: Patients with severe depression or anxiety, high suicide risk, or those currently receiving mental health treatment may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could provide an accessible and effective tool for university students to manage and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise for minimally guided online interventions in reducing mental health symptoms, indicating potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Eligible participants are all undergraduate students at the 6 participating universities and students followed in the PROMES-U observational study
* Having 18 years of age or more
* Having literacy in Spanish
* Having access to a smartphone (Android or Apple)
* With mild or moderate depression and/or anxiety symptoms screened (i.e., depression (5≤ (PHQ-9) ≤14); and/or anxiety (5≤ GAD-7 ≤14).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Moderately severe or severe depression and/or anxiety (i.e., PHQ-9≥15 and/or GAD-7≥15)
* High suicide risk
* A history of severe psychiatric disorder (e.g., bipolar, psychosis)
* Being on mental health treatment (i.e., medication, psychotherapy or other intervention)

Students with high suicide risk will receive a clinical alert recommending them to visit a specialist and a list of available mental health resources.

Where this trial is running

Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Depressive SymptomsAnxiety
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.