Texts that learn: new study tests smarter way to fight depression
NCT ID NCT06458192
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether personalized text messages can help people with depression manage their symptoms. 100 adults with moderate to severe depression received either adaptive texts that learned their preferences, non-adaptive texts, or just educational links. The goal was to see if smarter messaging leads to lower depression and anxiety scores over 8 weeks, with follow-ups up to 6 months.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
100 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jan 2025
- Finished
-
Dec 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * 18+ years of age * At least moderate depressive symptom severity (a score of 10 or higher on the PHQ-8) * Has a smartphone * Is able to speak and read English * US citizen or resident Exclusion Criteria: * Reports diagnosis with a severe mental health problem (e.g., psychotic, bipolar) for which participation in this trial is inappropriate * High suicide risk (has ideation, plan, and intent) * Is currently receiving psychotherapy or intends to commence it in the next 8 weeks * Psychiatric medication dose change in the past 4 weeks, or has plans to change the dose of a psychiatric medication
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Depression are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, Illinois, 60622, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Reading the Brain's signals to predict who benefits from deep brain stimulation
- Can a phone app that blocks distracting apps ease depression?
- Can teachers and a phone app ease teen depression?
- Can imagining exercise boost brain power after spinal cord injury?
- Can a group program teach teens to cope before therapy starts?
- Can intense brain zaps lift depression? scientists track blood flow in real time