TreadWill is a fully automated digital intervention that provides a multi-modal treatment for depressive symptoms. It includes: 1. Slides and interactive text-based conversations based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); 2. Mindfulness videos; 3. Game-based Cognitive Bias Modification paradigms; 4. An empathetic chatbot. This study's primary aim is to test the differential effectiveness of this full-featured version of TreadWill compared to a text-based CBT program.
TreadWill is an online tool to deliver automated intervention for depressive symptoms. TreadWill helps the participants learn the concepts of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and practice mindfulness in an interactive manner. It also has games based on Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) and an empathetic chatbot. We hypothesize that participants using TreadWill will show a significant reduction in depressive symptoms and will show engagement with the program. To test this hypothesis, we are conducting a randomized controlled trial. We will randomize participants into three groups: experimental, active control, and waitlist. Participants randomized to the experimental group will get access to the full-featured version of TreadWill as described above. Participants randomized to the active control group will have access to a limited version of TreadWill designed to deliver basic CBT in plain text format. The waitlisted participants will be put on a waitlist for 6 weeks.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
500
Participants will go through an automated program. Participants will learn and practice the techniques of CBT through multimedia elements. They will play games based on Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) paradigms, practice mindfulness, and chat with an automated empathic chatbot.
Participants will be going through an automated program. Participants will learn and practice the techniques of CBT in a plain-text format with reduced features
Participants will be put on a waitlist for a period of 6 weeks.
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
RECRUITINGChange in Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score
Standard questionnaire for depressive symptoms. Total score is used; lower score indicates better outcome.
Time frame: change from baseline to program completion or last usage (upto 90 days).
Change in Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 score
Standard questionnaire for generalized anxiety symptoms. Total score is used; lower score indicates better outcome.
Time frame: baseline, post-completion or last usage (upto 90 days), 90 day follow-up after completion
Time spent with the program
Automated measure of time spent on the program for experimental and active comparator group
Time frame: from beginning till study completion date (expected within 1 year from the trial start date)
Follow-up Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score
Standard questionnaire for depressive symptoms. Total score is used; lower score indicates better outcome.
Time frame: 90-120 days after program completion
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