A Feasibility Open Trial of App-Enhanced Brief CBT for Suicidal Inpatients

Hartford Hospital4 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of integrating Brief Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (BCBT) counseling with a software application (app) to prevent future suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Participants will provide written informed consent. Participants will complete up to 4 sessions of BCBT (depending on length of stay) incorporating the use of a SmartPhone app. This study treatment will be completed in addition to usual care in an open trial design. Assessments will be completed at intake, discharge, and 1-, 2-, and 3-month follow-up.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Suicidal and Self-injurious Behavior

Interventions

App-Enhanced Brief Cognitive-Behavioral TherapyBEHAVIORAL

BCBT is a cognitive-behavioral intervention designed to target core skills deficits among suicidal individuals. App-enhanced BCBT incorporates the use of a SmartPhone app during the therapy sessions.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 24 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * History of suicide attempt (lifetime) AND active ideation (with or without plan or intent) on admission * Own and have access to their phone (iPhone or Android with capability to download apps) during their inpatient stay * Ability to understand the nature of the study and provide written informed consent * Willing and able to provide at least two verifiable contacts for emergency or tracking purposes * Expected length of stay long enough to complete the entire treatment protocol Exclusion Criteria: * Not fluent in English * Experiencing current mania or psychosis * Have lifetime history of schizophrenia spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, or organic brain illness * Inpatient treatment plan includes detox protocol or electroconvulsive therapy * Any other psychiatric or medical condition that in the investigator's opinion would preclude informed consent or participation in the trial

Locations (1)

Anxiety Disorders Center, Institute of Living

Hartford, Connecticut, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Client Satisfaction at Discharge

The Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ) contains 8 multiple choice items and assesses the acceptability and satisfaction of the study treatment. Items are rated from 1 to 4. Items are added together for a total score ranging from 8 to 32 with higher numbers representing greater satisfaction with the treatment. The mean and standard deviation for the CSQ total score will be reported utilizing all available data.

Time frame: Assessed at completion of inpatient treatment (average of 16 days from admission)

App Usability at Discharge

The System Usability Scale (SUS) contains 10 items assessing the usability of digital technology. Items are rated from 1 to 5, with higher numbers representing stronger agreement with usability statements. Scores can range from 0 to 100, with higher scores reflecting better outcomes, meaning increased usability of the technology. The mean and standard deviation for the SUS will be reported utilizing all available data.

Time frame: Assessed at completion of inpatient treatment (average of 16 days from admission)

Frequency of Suicide Attempts

Frequency (percentage) of participants who made a suicide attempt over the entire follow-up period

Time frame: 3 months post-discharge from inpatient unit

Suicidal Ideation Baseline

The Adult Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (ASIQ) assesses the frequency of suicidal ideation. The ASIQ contains 25 items rated on a 0-6 scale. Items are added together for a total score ranging from 0 to 150. Higher scores indicate more frequent suicidal ideation. Means and standard deviations of the total score will be reported utilizing all available data.

Time frame: Baseline (before receiving BCBT intervention)

Suicidal Ideation at Discharge

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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