Lifestyle Intervention for Symptoms of Depression wIth App Support in General Practice

Launched by RADBOUD UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · Jun 6, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring whether a smartphone app can help people manage their depression by encouraging healthy lifestyle changes and helping them keep track of their symptoms. The researchers want to find out if using the app along with regular care from a doctor can reduce symptoms of depression more effectively than just receiving regular care alone. They will compare two groups of patients: one group will use the app while continuing their regular treatment, and the other group will receive only standard care without the app.

To be eligible for this trial, participants should be adults aged 65 to 74, have a score over 5 on a depression questionnaire called the PHQ-9, own a smartphone, and be comfortable using Dutch. Participants will complete a questionnaire about their lifestyle, set personal health goals, and track their depression symptoms through the app. They will also have follow-up discussions with their doctor or a mental health nurse to review their progress. This study is not yet recruiting participants, but it aims to understand how effective and cost-efficient this app-based approach can be for managing depression.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • A score of \> 5 on the PHQ-9
• • Have a smartphone
• • Be proficient in Dutch
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Severe mental illness (such as psychosis or bipolar disorder)
• • Severe alcohol or drug addiction requiring specialized secondary care
• • High suicide risk
• • moderate to severe cognitive impairment (as determined by the GP)
• • Patients who visit their GP for depressive symptoms but with a PHQ-9 of \< 6 at baseline are allowed to use the PLI, but will not be included in the primary analysis.