Timed smartphone support to boost social connections for people waiting for outpatient psychotherapy
Official title: Activating Social Resources in Psychotherapy-Seeking Individuals: Effectiveness and Timing of a Social Support Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention
Run by University of Zurich · NCT07471529 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether a smartphone-based just-in-time support program can reduce daily depressive symptoms and increase received social support for adults waiting for outpatient psychotherapy.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Zurich Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Zurich, Canton of Zurich) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 22, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 2026 |
| Study ends | December 2026 |
| Registry record updated | April 30, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07471529 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18–70 who are seeking outpatient psychotherapy, report elevated depressive symptoms (BDI-II > 13), own a smartphone, and can provide informed consent are ideal candidates, provided they are not scheduled to start therapy within four weeks and do not meet exclusion criteria.
✕Probably not a fit
People with imminent psychotherapy starts (within four weeks), significant suicidal ideation, manic symptoms, shift workers, or those without a smartphone are unlikely to benefit from this JITAI.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This 21-day micro-randomized trial uses a just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI) delivered via smartphone with six brief assessments per day. Each day participants are randomized across four conditions: vulnerability-triggered, vulnerability-and-receptivity-triggered, support-need-triggered, or no-intervention control. Primary outcomes are daily depressive symptoms and received social support, with secondary outcomes of daily loneliness and perceived social support. The trial compares the relative effectiveness of three different triggering strategies to identify the best timing for delivering support prompts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could offer a low-burden smartphone tool to reduce day-to-day depressive symptoms and strengthen social support for people waiting for therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous JITAI and ecological momentary intervention studies in mental health have shown promise for reducing symptoms and improving support, but direct comparisons of multiple triggering strategies in this population are novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * indicating to seek outpatient psychotherapy * elevated levels of self-reported depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI) score \> 13 (out of 63); Kühner et al., 2007) * owning a smartphone * signing the informed consent form Exclusion Criteria: * first session for outpatient psychotherapy is scheduled within four weeks * suicidal ideation (values \> 2 in BDI item 9) * presence of manic symptoms (Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) score \> 7), - shift work * age below 18 or above 70
Where it's running
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University of Zurich
Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland Recruiting
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.