Incentives + Reminders for Depression

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this randomized controlled trial study is to compare different adherence support strategies for primary care patients with depression who have been newly prescribed antidepressant medications. We will examine whether personalized daily text messages with and without financial incentives improves anti-depressant adherence and depression symptoms as compared to treatment as usual (no messages or incentives for taking medications). We will measure adherence with a wireless pill bottle and by assessment of electronic health prescription records. Participants in the study will be asked to complete assessments of depression symptoms via telephone at 6 and 12 weeks.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults aged 21-64 with a clinical diagnosis of major depressive disorder, who score at least 10 on the PHQ-9, have been prescribed antidepressants by their primary care doctor, are interested in medication adherence, own a cell phone and can use an electronic pill bottle. They must be Penn Medicine primary care outpatients.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a primary care outpatient at Penn Medicine.

My depression score is at least 10 on the PHQ-9.

I own a cell phone.

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Personalized Daily Text Messages with Financial Incentives (Behavioral Intervention)
• Personalized Daily Text Messages without Financial Incentives (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial Overview The study tests if personalized daily text messages alone or combined with financial incentives improve adherence to antidepressant medications and reduce depression symptoms compared to usual treatment (no reminders or incentives). Adherence is tracked using a wireless pill bottle and health records.

Participant Groups

Group I: Reminders and Incentives Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

This group will receive 12 weeks of personalized daily text reminders paired with 6 weeks of financial incentives.

Group II: Reminders Alone Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This group will receive 12 weeks of personalized daily text reminders without financial incentives.

Group III: Usual Care Active Control 1 Intervention

The usual care group will receive no text reminders or financial incentives.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Pennsylvania

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,118

Recruited

45,270,000+