Can a phone app train your brain to beat the blues?
NCT ID NCT06735885
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 07, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests a smartphone app called Matter Neuroscience that uses neurofeedback from brain scans to help people with mild to moderate depression better understand positive emotions. Researchers will enroll 240 adults to see if the app is safe and effective at reducing depression symptoms. The goal is to lay the groundwork for a larger, more definitive trial.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Matter Neuroscience App (smartphone application)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new, non-drug way to ease depression symptoms using brain training at home.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early feasibility trial, so it is small and designed mainly to test safety and basic effectiveness. The app may not work for everyone, and results may not apply to severe depression.
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 240 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Aug 2025
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 to 80 years
- 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: 1. Male or Female, between the ages of 18 and 80 at the time of screening. 2. Primary diagnosis of nonpsychotic major depressive disorder (MDD) without a history of psychotic features. 3. Score on the MADRS scale between 15-25 4. Able to read, understand, and provide written, dated informed consent prior to screening. Proficiency in English sufficient to complete questionnaires / follow instructions during fMRI. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures, including availability for the duration of the study, and to communicate with study personnel about adverse events and other clinically important information. 5. Must possess an iPhone with the latest iOS version compatible with the app or must be willing to use a loaner iPhone from the study if available. 6. Has had at least one lifetime antidepressant treatment failure (ATHF) 7. The dose of the primary antidepressant medication (if applicable) must be stable for 4 weeks prior to baseline, and participants must agree to continue at this dose throughout the study period. 8. In good general health, as evidenced by medical history and determined by study physician 9. For women of reproductive potential: agree to the use of highly effective contraception during study participation. 10. Adequate visual acuity (with or without corrective lenses) to view study materials while in the MRI. 11. Agreement to adhere to Lifestyle Considerations throughout study duration. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Contraindication to MRI (ferromagnetic metal in their body) 2. Severe claustrophobia 3. Women that are pregnant or breastfeeding or with a positive urine pregnancy test at participation, or who are planning to become pregnant during the study period. 4. Primary psychiatric condition other than MDD requiring treatment except stable comorbid anxiety disorder 5. History of or current psychotic disorder, schizophrenia, psychosis, bipolar disorder, or severe borderline personality disorder. 6. Diagnosis of intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, or other neurodevelopmental disorder. 7. Current moderate or severe substance use disorder or demonstrating signs of acute substance withdrawal 8. Urine screening test positive for recent use of recreational drugs except for marijuana.. 9. Considered at significant risk for suicide during the course of the study. 10. Recent (within 4 weeks of any clinical effect) or concurrent use of rapid acting antidepressant agent (i.e., a course of ECT or TMS). Excluding ketamine. 11. History of significant neurologic disease, including dementia, Parkinson's or Huntington's disease, brain tumor, seizure disorder, subdural hematoma, multiple sclerosis, or history of significant head trauma as determined by the PD. 12. Untreated or insufficiently treated endocrine or metabolic disorder. 13. Any other condition deemed by the PD to interfere with the study or increase risk to the participant 14. Alexithymia as determined by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale 15. Treatment with an investigational drug or other intervention within the study period. 16. Not currently in a major depressive episode as defined by the MINI. 17. More than 5 lifetime adequate antidepressant medication failures (ATHF).
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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.
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
1 site. 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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Stanford University Brain Stimulation Lab
RECRUITINGStanford, California, 94304, United States
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