Using a mobile app to help manage suicidal thoughts and emotions
Supplementing Brief Psychotherapy With a Mobile App
This study is testing whether a mobile app can help adults who have had recent suicidal thoughts manage their emotions better when used alongside brief therapy.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Piscataway, New Jersey) |
| Trial ID | NCT06555094 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile app that supplements brief psychotherapy with skills for managing negative emotions in adults with recent suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a control group receiving standard treatment or an experimental group that will also receive brief cognitive behavioral therapy sessions and prompts to practice these skills via the app. The study will involve ecological momentary assessments to track emotions and suicidal thoughts throughout the hospital stay and for 28 days post-discharge. The goal is to determine if the app can reduce emotional distress and suicidal ideation.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who have recently experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Not a fit: Patients with severe cognitive impairments or those unable to provide informed consent may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of suicidal thoughts and emotional distress in patients.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using mobile apps for mental health interventions, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * adult status (18+ years), * a recent suicide attempt or any report of current suicidal ideation, * the ability to speak and write English fluently, ownership of and consistent access to an internet-capable smartphone (e.g., an iPhone or Android phone), and Exclusion criteria: \- the presence of any factor that impairs an individual\'s ability to provide informed consent and comprehend and effectively participate in the study including: an inability to speak or write English fluently, the presence of gross cognitive impairment due to florid psychosis, intellectual disability, dementia, acute intoxication, or the presence of extremely agitated or violent behavior.
Where this trial is running
Piscataway, New Jersey
- Rutgers University Behavioral Healthcare — Piscataway, New Jersey, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: EVAN KLEIMAN, Ph.D. — Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
- Study coordinator: Evan Kleiman, Ph.D.
- Email: evan.kleiman@rutgers.edu
- Phone: 1-848-445-2345
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.