Understanding brain activity during therapy for depression

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 study investigates how client-therapist brain activity synchronizes during a psychosocial intervention aimed at alleviating depression symptoms. It compares two approaches: behavioral activation, a client-centered cognitive-behavioral therapy, and psychoeducation, which provides information on recovery strategies. Participants will attend a single session of one of these interventions while their brain activity is measured using EEG. They will also complete surveys about their mental and physical health before and after the session.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria for participants/clients:

* Between ages 18 and 30
* Full-time student status (undergraduate, graduate, and professional)
* Experience mild to moderate depressive symptoms as determined by the Beck Depression Inventory (score: 14-28)
* Capacity to understand study procedures (informed consent)
* Ability to speak and understand English
* Willingness to comply with study procedures

Inclusion Criteria for therapists:

* Ages 18 or older
* Qualification to administer therapy (decided by the Principal Investigator)
* Capacity to understand the study procedures (informed consent)
* Speak and understand English
* Willingness to comply with study procedures

Exclusion Criteria for participants/clients:

* Active, Current Suicidal ideation as determined by the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) in the past month
* Past suicidal attempt (lifetime)
* Recently initiated psychotherapy (past month)
* Elevated psychosis risk based on self-report prodromal questionnaire - brief version (PQ-B) or self-reported diagnosis of psychotic disorder by mental health provider
* Positive screen for autism spectrum disorder based on the self-report autism quotient (AQ-10) or self-reported diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder by mental health provider,
* Daily intake of benzodiazepine of \>20 mg diazepam milligram equivalent
* Inability to give informed, voluntary, written consent to participate
* Inability to effectively communicate in English as determined by interaction with study personnel
* Anything else that in the assessment of the study team is not conducive to the successful completion of the study requirements.

There are no exclusion criteria for therapists

Where it's running

• Carolina Center for Neurostimulation
  Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Flavio Frohlich — Carolina Center for Neurostimulation
• Study coordinator: Flavio Frohlich
• Email: flavio_frohlich@med.unc.edu
• Phone: (919) 966-4584

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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.