Can online mindfulness or CBT ease pandemic depression and drug use?

NCT ID NCT04595084

Symptom relief Sponsor: Cambridge Health Alliance Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested two remotely delivered programs—mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy—against standard remote monitoring alone for reducing depression and substance use related to COVID-19 stress. 113 adults from a health system participated over 24 weeks. The goal was to see which approach best helped people cope with pandemic-related emotional and substance use challenges.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy
What this could lead to: If successful, these programs could offer effective remote options for managing depression and substance use triggered by major stressors like a pandemic.
What could go wrong: This is a small, completed study without a placebo control, so results may not apply broadly. Benefits may be modest and depend on participant engagement.

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

113 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Mar 2021

Finished

Mar 2023

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 to 70 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show 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: * Current patient of CHA primary care or behavioral health provider * Active enrollment in CHA MindWell * Sufficient English fluency to understand procedures and questionnaires * Ability to provide informed consent * Access to the internet and an electronic device to attend study groups and complete questionnaires. * CAT-DI 50-75 Exclusion Criteria: * Active psychosis or severe level of psychosis on PSY-S-CAT ≥60 * Bipolar I disorder history or severe level of mania on CAT-M/H50 (\>70) * Acute suicidality or self-injurious behavior or severe level of suicidality on CAT-SS(≥71) * Severe depression, indicated by CAT-DI PHQ-9 equivalency score \>20 * Severe level of PTSD on CAT-PTSD (\>70) * Current treatment with antipsychotic medication, mood stabilizer or benzodiazepine equivalent of 3mg/day of lorazepam * Cognitive inability as demonstrated by the inability to complete an online informed consent assessment * Current participation in another experimental research study * Previous participation in an 8-week intensive Mindfulness-Based Intervention in past 1 year * Expected medical hospitalization in next 6 months * Expected incarceration in next 6 months * Severe substance use disorder or high risk on CAT-MH SUD. In addition, use of or positive toxicology for cocaine, unprescribed opioids, stimulants, or benzodiazepines in the past 3 months. * Inability to participate in group intervention without disrupting group in opinion of principal investigator * Inability to complete screening, baseline assessments and 5 daily diaries at baseline.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Alcohol Drinking anxiety anxiety disorder COVID-19 Depression depressive disorder Stress, Psychological substance abuse substance-related disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Alcohol use, unspecified Anxiety COVID19 Depression Drug use Stress, emotional Stress, psychological Substance use

Can online mindfulness or CBT ease pandemic depression and drug use?

What the study statuses mean