Can a phone app help beat loneliness and depression?

NCT ID NCT07471529

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Zurich Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests a smartphone app that prompts people with depression to reach out to friends or family for support at the right moments. Over 21 days, 120 adults awaiting therapy will be randomly assigned to different versions of the app or no app at all. The goal is to see if these prompts reduce daily depressive symptoms and loneliness.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Smartphone-based social support intervention
What this could lead to: If it works, this could provide a simple, low-cost way to help people with depression feel less lonely and more supported while waiting for therapy.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study with only 120 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The intervention is just a prompt—it may not be enough to meaningfully change symptoms.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Depression major depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS LONELINESS SOCIAL SUPPORT

Contacts and locations

Locations

University of Zurich
RECRUITING

Zurich, Canton of Zurich, 8050, Switzerland

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