Text-message referral program to help cancer survivors with depression get connected to care
Pilot Feasibility Trial to Evaluate a Technology-Enabled Approach to Enhance Depression Referral Uptake Among Cancer Survivors
This study will try a tailored text-message system to help cancer survivors with depression connect to mental health treatment and compare referral uptake to usual care.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Medical University of South Carolina Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Charleston, South Carolina) |
| Trial ID | NCT07091968 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Participants who are adult cancer survivors with elevated depressive symptoms and an upcoming oncology visit at the Medical University of South Carolina will receive a technology-enabled, tailored referral delivered by SMS. The study will measure feasibility and acceptability of the text-based approach and track whether participants follow through on referral recommendations. Outcomes will be compared to usual care to estimate preliminary efficacy for improving referral uptake. Feasibility metrics will include recruitment, retention, and participant feedback on acceptability.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (age >18) with a cancer diagnosis, upcoming oncology clinic appointment at MUSC within 14 days, elevated depressive symptoms on PHQ-2, English proficient, and who own an SMS-capable cellphone are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients already receiving counseling for depression, those without a text-capable phone, non-English speakers, or those with physician-identified cognitive impairment are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make it easier and faster for cancer survivors to be linked to depression treatment through timely, personalized text-message referrals.
How similar studies have performed: Prior SMS- and technology-based interventions have shown promise for improving engagement with mental health services in other patient groups, but applying a tailored text-referral approach specifically to cancer survivors is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * age \> 18 years * diagnosis of cancer * upcoming appointment in an HCC or HCN oncology clinic within 14 days * English proficiency * ownership of a cellphone with SMS text capability. * elevated depressive symptoms at screening (as measured by \> 3 on the PHQ-2) Exclusion Criteria: * cognitive impairment as evaluated by attending physician * currently receiving counseling for depression
Where this trial is running
Charleston, South Carolina
- Medical University of South Carolina — Charleston, South Carolina, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Katherine Sterba, PhD — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Lily P Research Assistant/Coordinator, MPH
- Email: lir301@musc.edu
- Phone: 843-792-5182
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.