Telehealth Behavioral Activation for Teens (NCT06273995) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Telehealth Behavioral Activation for Teens
United States250 participantsStarted 2024-03-01
Plain-language summary
Behavioral activation is one such empirically supported intervention. Derived from cognitive-behavioral therapy, a well-established treatment for depression, behavioral activation uses psychoeducation and skill-building to increase an individual's engagement in valued and enjoyable activities (e.g., socializing with family and friends, exercising, participating in a hobby) in order to improve depressive symptoms. Research has shown that behavioral activation is an effective intervention for depressed youth. Additionally, it has been shown as a promising intervention that can be conducted in a brief, virtual format and can be effectively implemented by both trained clinicians and trained, non-licensed interventionists. This project will provide Behavioral Activation for youth (12-17) experiencing depression or suicidal ideation who are currently enrolled in the Youth Depression Suicide Network study in Texas.
Who can participate
Age range
12 Years – 18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Participants must be enrolled in the Texas Youth Depression Suicide Research Network (TX-YDSRN) Registry Study;
. Be between the ages of 12- 18 or currently enrolled in high school;
. Have a caregiver that is willing to participate in the program;
. Be able to commit to weekly sessions for eight weeks;
. Be currently experiencing depressive symptoms;
. Be able to participate in telehealth services within the state of Texas;
. Be willing to provide consent/assent (parents/legally authorized representative (LAR)/guardian or young adult participant, aged 18 or older, must be willing to provide consent; youth, aged 12-17, must be willing to provide assent);
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Since this trial specifically focuses on behavioral activation delivered via telehealth, how does that approach compare to the in-person therapy or medication options my teen is already being considered for?
2This trial is measuring not just depression symptoms using the PHQ-A, but also behavioral engagement and anhedonia — does my teenager's specific symptom profile, including any loss of interest or pleasure, make them a good or poor fit to discuss with the research team?
3Given that this trial includes teens with a range of severity — mild, moderate, and severe depression — as well as those with suicide or self-harm concerns, how would my child's current risk level factor into whether this is an appropriate option to explore?
4Since this trial is listed as Phase NA, which often means it's testing a therapy approach rather than a drug, what is currently known about the safety and effectiveness of telehealth behavioral activation for adolescents, and are there any risks specific to doing this kind of therapy remotely?
5What would my teen's weekly commitment look like if they participated — how many sessions, how long, and could the telehealth format realistically fit into their school schedule and our family's routine?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Patient Health Questionnaire 9-modified for adolescents (PHQ-A)
Timeframe: During treatment (every session (week) 1-10)
2
Behavioral Activation for Depression-Short Form (BAD-SF)
Timeframe: During treatment (every session (week) 1-10)
. Be able to read, write and speak English or Spanish sufficiently to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent to participate in the study;
Exclusion criteria
. Have an acute medical or psychological condition(s) that that would, in the judgment of the study medical clinician, make participation difficult or unsafe;
. Have an acute medical or psychological condition(s) that would result in an inability to accurately complete study requirements (e.g., neurological conditions or significant neurodevelopmental concerns);
. Have active psychotic or manic symptoms resulting in altered mental status and inability to provide assent or requiring immediate attention and/or higher level of intervention;
. Have a parent/LAR/guardian who is deemed cognitively unable to provide consent (if youth participant, aged 12-17).