Improving antidepressant adherence in primary care patients
Antidepressant Medication Adherence in Adults With Depression
NA · University of Pennsylvania · NCT06496646
This study is testing whether sending personalized daily text messages, with or without cash rewards, can help people with depression stick to their antidepressant medication better than regular care.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 525 (estimated) |
| Ages | 21 Years to 64 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Pennsylvania (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT06496646 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized controlled trial aims to compare different strategies for supporting medication adherence among primary care patients diagnosed with depression who have recently been prescribed antidepressants. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of personalized daily text messages, with and without financial incentives, against standard care in improving adherence and reducing depression symptoms. Adherence will be monitored using a wireless pill bottle and participants will report their depression symptoms via telephone assessments at 6 and 12 weeks. The primary outcome will be measured using the PHQ-9 depression rating scale.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 21 to 64 with a clinical diagnosis of major depressive disorder who are newly prescribed antidepressants.
Not a fit: Patients with a history of treatment for bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, or those with active substance use disorders may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance medication adherence and improve depression symptoms for patients in primary care settings.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that text message reminders can improve medication adherence, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Penn Medicine primary care outpatients * Clinical diagnosis of major depressive disorder * A score of 10+ on the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) * Age 21 to 64 years at the time of study entry * Prescribed an antidepressant by their primary care clinician * Express interest in taking antidepressant medication * Own a cell phone * Capable of using the electronic pill bottle * English-speaking Exclusion Criteria: * Treated with antidepressants in the past 90 days * Pregnant or breastfeeding * An active substance use disorder other than nicotine * A lifetime history of treatment for bipolar disorder or schizophrenia * Hospital admission or emergency department visit for suicidal symptoms in the past year * Lack capacity to provide informed consent * Using antidepressant more than 10 days at baseline assessment
Where this trial is running
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- University of Pennsylvania Health System — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Steven C Marcus, PhD
- Email: marcuss@upenn.edu
- Phone: 215-573-7941
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.
Conditions: Depression, Medication adherence