Smartphone-delivered Therapeutic Evaluative Conditioning for suicidal thoughts and behavior
A One-Arm Open Trial of a Smartphone Delivered Treatment for Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior
This study will test whether a smartphone program called Therapeutic Evaluative Conditioning (TEC-S) can reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adults who have had frequent recent suicide ideation.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Massachusetts General Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT06967545 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults 18 or older who live in the Boston metropolitan area, have experienced frequent recent suicidal ideation (about ≥5 days in the past month), own an iOS or Android smartphone, and can provide informed consent and an emergency contact are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with recent hypo/manic symptoms, recent homicidal ideation, a lifetime psychosis-spectrum diagnosis, those judged to be at acute imminent suicide risk, or individuals living outside the Boston area or without a smartphone are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from this pilot.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, TEC-S could provide a low-burden, widely accessible smartphone option to help reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors by changing attitudes toward suicide.
How similar studies have performed: Similar smartphone- and EMA-based interventions for suicidal ideation have shown mixed but promising early results, while TEC-S specifically—applying evaluative conditioning to suicide-related attitudes—is relatively novel and largely untested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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 this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts
- 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
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.