Can a peer coach help veterans get more from mental health apps?
NCT ID NCT07507747
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Sep 04, 2026 · Updated 6 times
Summary
This study tests whether adding peer support helps veterans use mental health apps more effectively to reduce psychological distress like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. About 384 veterans from three VA primary care clinics will try different levels of peer coaching while using the apps. The goal is to find the right amount of support to improve mental health.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- peer-supported mobile health apps
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide an effective, accessible way for veterans to manage psychological distress using apps with peer guidance.
- What could go wrong
- This is a behavioral study with no blinding, so results may be influenced by placebo effects. It is also early-stage and limited to three VA sites.
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
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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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About 384 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Oct 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Apr 2030
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a US federal agency other than the NIH.
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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18 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.
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: * Veteran enrolled in primary care at one of 3 VA facilities (Philadelphia, PA; Ann Arbor, MI; and Bedford, MA) * clinically significant psychological distress on at least one DASS-21 subscale (Depression =\> 10, Anxiety =\> 8, Stress =\> 13) Exclusion Criteria: * symptoms that may preclude active engagement in the intervention such as gross cognitive impairment or current symptoms of mania or psychosis * suicide risk as measured by the P4 Suicide Assessment * plan to engage in psychotherapy during the intervention period * started or changed the dose of a psychotropic medication in the last two months * voice a preference to be directly referred to mental health specialty care
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
5 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104-4551, United States
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Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY
Syracuse, New York, 13210-2716, United States
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VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48105-2303, United States
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VA Bedford HealthCare System, Bedford, MA
Bedford, Massachusetts, 01730-1114, United States
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VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, California, 94304-1207, United States
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