Comparing App Support Strategies for Depression and Anxiety

This study, called the COMParing App Support Strategies Study, is looking at the best ways to add small amounts of human and digital help to a meditation app called the Healthy Minds Program (HMP). The HMP app teaches skills for well-being through podcasts and guided meditations. You might receive a 30-minute meditation coaching session or an information session. You could also get email support or text message support during the 4-week study period. Researchers want to see how these different types of support affect your depression and anxiety symptoms. They will measure your symptoms using questionnaires at the start, weekly for 4 weeks, and again after 6 months. To join, you need to be 18-65 years old, speak English, have a smartphone and internet, and have elevated symptoms of depression and/or anxiety.

Study design
This is an interventional study with a planned enrollment of 688 participants. You will be randomly assigned to different support groups.
What's involved
You will complete an online screening, consent process, and a baseline survey. You will also have a meeting with study staff and complete weekly questionnaires for 4 weeks, plus daily check-ins twice a day during this period.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your symptoms will be measured again 6 months after the 4-week intervention period ends.

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NCT07278466

The COMParing App Support Strategies Study

Recruiting
NAAges 18–65InterventionalTreatment
University of Wisconsin, Madison
~688 participants
Updated 2026-05-18 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Introductory Coaching SessionIntroductory Information SessionOn-Demand Email SupportMicrosupport

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety and Depression Scale (PHQ-ADS) Score
Measured over baseline, week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, 6-month follow up
+2 more outcomes measured
Depression, Anxiety
1 sites across 1 states
Wisconsin1
  • Simon Goldberg, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · UW Madison

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Elevated symptoms of depression and/or anxiety (PHQ-9 greater than or equal to 10, GAD-7 greater than or equal to 10)
Proficiency in English
Access to a smartphone and internet
Ability to receive text messages

Exclusion

Non-US citizen or legal resident (green card holder)
History of psychosis or mania
Suicidal ideation or thoughts of self-harm indicated by PHQ9 item 9 and BDI item 9
Individuals who do not provide the information required for GUID generation
Previous participation
  • Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety and Depression Scale (PHQ-ADS) Scorebaseline, week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, 6-month follow up

    The PHQ-ADS is scored by summing responses to its 16 items (combining the PHQ-9 and GAD-7), with scores ranging from 0 to 48, where higher scores indicate greater distress. Each item uses a 0-3 scale (0=Not at all, 3=Nearly every day). Common interpretation is 10 (mild), 20 (moderate), and 30 (severe) distress.

  • Anxiety Measured from Evening Daily Diary ItemsDaily through the Intervention Period (up to 4 weeks)

    Evening daily diary will include a single-item measure of anxiety using the HMP. Each item will be rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = not at all, 5 = very much). Higher scores indicate more severe anxiety. Daily means with and standard deviations will be reported.

  • Depression Measured from Evening Daily Diary ItemsDaily through the Intervention Period (up to 4 weeks)

    Evening daily diary will include a single-item measures of depression using the HMP. Each item will be rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = not at all, 5 = very much). Higher scores indicate more severe depression. Daily means with and standard deviations will be reported.