Get ActivE Study for At-risk Youth

Description

The study will adapt and deploy a digital Behavioral Activation app with mobile sensing, supported by health coaches, that encourages youth to engage in positive activities. The study has the potential to offer a low-cost and scalable behavioral intervention that may decrease risk of suicide among at-risk youth. This research will examine specifically whether an intervention involving an app called Vira, combined with health coaching (GET ActivE) can improve enjoyment for teens coping with depression. Research participants will be randomly assigned to one of two study intervention. One study intervention involves a) downloading an app called Vira and engaging by responding to a daily question, and b) participating in a conversation via text, phone, or messages through an appt with a health coach. The health coach will use the Vira app and principles from evidence-based therapy and behavior change to provide users with insights to sustain well-being and better manage risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors such as depressed mood and behavioral withdrawal. The second study intervention involves downloading an app called EARS and responding to a daily question.

Conditions

Anhedonia, Depression and Suicide Ideation

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The study will adapt and deploy a digital Behavioral Activation app with mobile sensing, supported by health coaches, that encourages youth to engage in positive activities. The study has the potential to offer a low-cost and scalable behavioral intervention that may decrease risk of suicide among at-risk youth. This research will examine specifically whether an intervention involving an app called Vira, combined with health coaching (GET ActivE) can improve enjoyment for teens coping with depression. Research participants will be randomly assigned to one of two study intervention. One study intervention involves a) downloading an app called Vira and engaging by responding to a daily question, and b) participating in a conversation via text, phone, or messages through an appt with a health coach. The health coach will use the Vira app and principles from evidence-based therapy and behavior change to provide users with insights to sustain well-being and better manage risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors such as depressed mood and behavioral withdrawal. The second study intervention involves downloading an app called EARS and responding to a daily question.

Geospatial and Ecological Momentary Assessment Technology and Activity Engagement for At-risk Youth (Get ActivE)

Get ActivE Study for At-risk Youth

Condition
Anhedonia
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Philadelphia

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104

Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Adolescents age 12-18
  • * Current moderate to severe depression (PHQ-9-M \> 11)
  • * Current clinically significant anhedonia, operationalized as PHQ-9-M anhedonia item score \> 1
  • * English language fluency and literacy level sufficient to engage in study protocol
  • * Willing to download the app on their smart phones
  • * Evidence of mania, psychosis, or developmental disability precluding comprehension of study procedures per electronic health record review and phone screen.

Ages Eligible for Study

12 Years to 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Pittsburgh,

Jamie Zelazny, PhD, MPH, RN, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Pittsburgh

Study Record Dates

2026-12-31