App coaches families in real time to boost Kids' mental health
NCT ID NCT06443918
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tested a smartphone app that delivers lessons and family activities, plus AI-powered coaching during family interactions. The goal was to improve child mental health and family functioning. 347 families with children aged 6-9 and elevated mental health symptoms participated. Researchers compared the app group to a control group to see if the app reduced anxiety, depression, and behavior problems.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- smartphone app with psychoeducational modules and AI coaching
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide a low-cost, accessible tool to help families manage child anxiety, depression, and behavior issues at home.
- What could go wrong
- This is a completed trial, but the app's benefits may be modest or not work for all families. The study focused on low-income and minority groups, so results may not apply broadly.
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
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347 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2024
- Finished
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Jan 2026
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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6 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion criteria: * A family income less than or equal to the 33rd percentile for their county of residence OR * At least one participating family member identifies as belonging to an ethnic/racial minoritized group AND * Child mental health symptoms at or above the 70th percentile based on any subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire AND * Participants speak English and/or Spanish AND * Have a child 6-9 years old at the time of enrollment AND * Families must be located in Texas or Florida Exclusion Criteria: * Active suicidal ideation OR * Active homicidal ideation OR * Current child abuse OR * Current violence in the home Families meeting these exclusion criteria will undergo a clinical risk assessment and be referred for alternative treatment services.
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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
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Florida International University
Miami, Florida, 33199, United States
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The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas, 78712, United States
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