Text-message therapy for young adults with anxiety
Treating Young Adult Generalized Anxiety Disorder With Text-Message Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial
This study is testing a text-message therapy program to see if it can help young adults aged 18-25 with anxiety feel better.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 25 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | The University of Tennessee, Knoxville Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Knoxville, Tennessee) |
| Trial ID | NCT06774573 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study tests the feasibility and effectiveness of a text-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy program, called CBT-txt-Anxiety, aimed at reducing anxiety symptoms in young adults aged 18-25 with elevated anxiety. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive the text therapy or be placed on a waitlist control. The study will assess participants at baseline and follow up at one, two, and three months to evaluate changes in anxiety symptoms and participant satisfaction with the intervention. The goal is to adapt an effective in-person therapy into a convenient text format.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are young adults aged 18-25 who exhibit elevated anxiety symptoms as indicated by a GAD-7 score of at least 10.
Not a fit: Patients currently receiving treatment for anxiety or those without access to a text-capable phone may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could provide an accessible and effective treatment option for young adults struggling with anxiety.
How similar studies have performed: While text-based interventions for mental health are emerging, this specific adaptation of cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety in a text format is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: A) 18 to 25 years old B) a score of at least 10 on the GAD-7 (indicating elevated anxiety symptoms) C) lives in the United States D) consents to receiving text messages from the study Exclusion Criteria: A) treatment for anxiety during the past three months B) lack of access to a text-capable phone C) unable or unwilling to commit to three months of follow-up D) not fluent in English.
Where this trial is running
Knoxville, Tennessee
- University of Tennessee-Knoxville — Knoxville, Tennessee, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Michael Mason
- Email: mmason29@utk.edu
- Phone: 2092686800
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.