Can an AI voice coach ease depression? new study tests lumen

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age: ≥ 18 years * Emotional distress defined by elevated depressive (PHQ-9 scores 10-19) and/or anxious symptoms (GAD-7 scores 10-14) * Willing and able to provide informed eConsent and HIPAA authorization Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to speak, read, or understand English for informed consent * Current pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy (individual or professionally led group therapy) for depression or anxiety (note: participants are not withdrawn post-randomization if they begin pharmacotherapy drugs or start psychotherapy during the study.) * Suicidal ideation per PHQ-9 with active plan * Bipolar or psychotic disorder, or current psychiatric treatment * Weight ≥325 pounds due to brain scanner constraints, MRI contraindications, traumatic brain injuries, and tumor or any other known structural abnormality in the brain * Severe medical condition (e.g., myocardial infarction or stroke or new cancer diagnosis in the past 6 months, end-stage organ failure, terminal illness) or residence in a long-term care facility * Diagnosis of cancer (other than non-melanoma skin cancer) that is/was active or treated with radiation or chemotherapy within the past year * Active alcohol or substance use disorder (including prescription drugs) based on the CAGE Questionnaire Adapted to Include Drugs (CAGE-AID) * Cognitive impairment based on the Callahan 6-item screener * Current or planned pregnancy or lactating (\<6 months postpartum) * Participation in other investigational treatment studies that would significantly affect participation in this study, raise safety concerns, and/or confound outcomes (participant may be asked to provide the informed consent of the other study for final decision on exclusion by a study psychiatrist) * Family/household member of an already enrolled participant or of a study team member * Plan to move out of the Chicago area during the study period * Does not have reliable Wi-Fi Internet at home * Unwillingness to user personal mobile device to receive study text messages * Investigator discretion for clinical safety or protocol adherence reasons