Preventing Anhedonia in Children of Depressed Mothers
Reward Responsiveness As a Prevention Target in Youth At Risk for Anhedonia
NA · Vanderbilt University · NCT05988138
This study tests a new program to see if it can help children aged 8 to 12, whose mothers have been depressed, feel happier and more interested in activities.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 8 Years to 12 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Vanderbilt University (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Nashville, Tennessee) |
| Trial ID | NCT05988138 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This trial tests a preventive intervention called Family Promoting Positive Emotion (F-PPE) aimed at improving reward responsiveness in children aged 8 to 12 whose mothers have a history of major depressive disorder and anhedonia. The intervention involves training mothers and children together to enhance positive emotional experiences through behavioral and cognitive skills. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the F-PPE intervention or a psychoeducation comparison condition, with assessments including EEG measures of neural reward responsiveness. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of F-PPE in increasing children's interest and pleasure in activities.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include children aged 8 to 12 with biological mothers who have a history of major depressive disorder and anhedonia.
Not a fit: Patients who have a current or past diagnosis of major depressive disorder or anhedonia lasting most of the day for at least two weeks will not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could help children develop better emotional resilience and reduce the risk of developing depression and anhedonia.
How similar studies have performed: While similar interventions targeting emotional resilience in children have shown promise, this specific approach is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Biological mothers with past or current MDD with anhedonia and their 8- to 12-year-old children * Child and biological mother can read and speak fluently in English * Child and mother have access to a computer or tablet and internet for videoconferencing * For compensation purposes, child and biological mothers must be U.S. citizens Exclusion Criteria: * Children with past or current major depressive disorder (MDD) and/or anhedonia lasting most of the day, nearly every day for at least 2 weeks based on semi-structured interviews will be excluded * Mothers or children with intellectual or developmental disabilities * Mothers with past 6 months substance use disorder with moderate or greater severity * Children or mothers with a lifetime history of a manic or hypomanic episode/bipolar disorder * Children or mothers with a psychotic disorder (e.g., schizophrenia) * Children or mothers with visual or hearing impairments that interfere with completing study measures and sessions * Child offspring of a mother who has previously participated in the study with another biological child * Children taking medications for emotional or behavioral problems other than SSRIs (stable dose for 6 weeks before time of enrollment) or psychostimulants
Where this trial is running
Nashville, Tennessee
- Jesup/Hobbs Building — Nashville, Tennessee, United States (RECRUITING)
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: Anhedonia, Depression