Using smartphone GPS to study emotions and behaviors
Official title: Individual Differences in Emotional and Behavioral Patterns and Their Relationship to Cognition
Run by University of Miami · NCT05991713 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is trying to see how people's feelings and thoughts change in different places by using smartphone GPS and brain scans over four months.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 50 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Miami Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Coral Gables, Florida) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 2, 2023 |
| Main results expected | September 1, 2028 |
| Study ends | September 1, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | September 30, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05991713 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are individuals who can provide informed consent, are willing to undergo fMRI scans, and can engage with daily emotional assessments via text.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with a history of severe neurological disorders, pregnancy, or those on antipsychotic medications may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This clinical trial aims to utilize smartphone technology to gather data on participants' locations, emotions, and cognitive states in real-time. By employing a GPS tracking application and conducting functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scans, the study seeks to explore the connections between real-world behaviors, thoughts, emotions, and brain activity. The trial will involve 100 participants who will receive daily text messages to assess their current emotional states over a four-month period. This innovative approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of how environmental factors influence mental health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into the relationship between emotions and behaviors, potentially leading to improved treatments for depression and related conditions.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of smartphone technology in mental health research is growing, this specific approach combining GPS tracking with fMRI is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Must agree to give informed consent * Must be willing to have an functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI) scan * Must be able to receive and respond to daily text messages assessing current emotion * Must be willing to download and run a GPS tracking application (FollowMee) onto their smartphone for a four-month period Exclusion Criteria: * history of head trauma, seizures, or neurological disorders * severe/unstable medical conditions * conditions that interfere with MRI * pregnancy * lifetime psychotic/bipolar disorder * chronic/severe substance or alcohol abuse/dependence * antipsychotic medication
Where it's running
-
University of Miami
Coral Gables, Florida, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Aaron S Heller, PhD — University of Miami
- Study coordinator: Isabella C D'Ottone, BA
- Email: icd30@miami.edu
- Phone: 3052849555
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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.