Smartphone-delivered Therapeutic Evaluative Conditioning for suicidal thoughts and behavior

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This one-arm open trial will enroll 20 adults in the greater-Boston area who report recent and frequent suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Participants will complete ecological momentary assessments (EMA) three times daily and will have optional access to the smartphone-delivered Therapeutic Evaluative Conditioning for Suicide (TEC-S) intervention. The intervention uses classical evaluative conditioning delivered via phone to try to change attitudes toward suicide, and weekly behavioral and self-report measures will track hypothesized mechanisms and outcomes. The primary aims are to test safety, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of TEC-S in reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults ages 18+
* Relatively frequent and recent (≥5 days within the past-month) active suicidal thoughts as assessed via SITBI-R.
* Willing and able to provide at least one emergency contact (name, phone number, relation).
* Owns an Android or iOS smartphone.
* Possesses at least occasional access to Wi-Fi-enabled internet for data down/uploads.
* Fluent in English and willing to provide informed consent.
* Living in the Boston metropolitan area (i.e., \~50 mile radius around Boston, MA)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Recent (past 3-month) hypo/manic symptoms or homicidal ideation or lifetime psychosis spectrum diagnosis as assessed via MINI 7.0.2.
* Recent acute suicide risk operationalized as affirmative responses to BOTH below items during structured clinical interview AND evaluation by the PI in consultation with Mentors/Advisor Drs. Wilhelm, Kleiman, and/or Bentley:
* At any time in past week: ≥ 8/10 current intent to act on suicidal thoughts (0 \["not at all"\] to 10 \["extremely strong"\]); AND
* At any time in past week: thought of a specific suicide plan (i.e, known method/means and/or location) with access to lethal means
* Impaired vision (e.g., legal blindness), technological illiteracy, or intellectual disability that might impair ability to provide valid data and/or informed consent.

Where it's running

• Massachusetts General Hospital
  Boston, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Adam C Jaroszewski, PhD
• Email: ajaroszewski@mgh.harvard.edu
• Phone: 781-258-3082

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.