The primary objective of this study is to evaluate clinical outcomes among people with cancer who participate in a 12-week therapist-supported digital mental health intervention (DMHI) called the Meru Health Program (MHP). Study participants (N=20) will be referred to the MHP through the Cancer Support Community (CSC) Helpline and network of Gilda's Club locations. The main outcomes will be depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), intervention adherence, and intervention satisfaction. The secondary objective will be to determine the acceptability of the screening and referral process from the CSC networks into the MHP. Data pertaining to implementability will be collected from study participants, MHP clinicians, and CSC staff.
The goal of this single-arm intervention study is to test the feasibility of the Meru Health Program (MHP) in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety among 20 people with cancer referred from the Cancer Support Community (CSC). The MHP is a 12-week digital mental health intervention delivered via a smartphone app. The intervention focuses on cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness skills with the aim of improving mental health symptoms. The platform provides informational videos, skills practices, group discussion, and messaging with a licensed clinician employed by Meru Health. The licensed clinician supports patients as needed and reviews engagement logs within the app. As part of the intervention, depression and anxiety symptoms are measured on a biweekly basis over 12 weeks. For this study, self-reported surveys will be administered at baseline, week 12, and 2-months post-treatment to measure health-related quality of life and intervention satisfaction. In-depth interviews will be conducted with patients. Two focus groups will be conducted with MHP clinicians and CSC navigators to understand barriers and facilitators to the screening processes and intervention delivery.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
22
The Meru Health Program is a 12-week, evidence-based, smartphone-delivered, therapist-supported digital mental health intervention with as-needed psychiatrist oversight. Enrolled participants work through the program with a cohort of peers similarly affected by depression, with whom they can engage in confidential, anonymous, voluntary group chats overseen by a licensed clinical therapist. The MHP incorporates a continuous care model including daily interaction with a dedicated clinician, several evidence-based treatment components such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), behavioral activation therapy, and mindfulness meditation (MM), as well as promising newer types of depression treatments such as HRVB, nutritional psychiatry, and sleep training. Practices are introduced to weekly topics via video lessons that are reinforced via CBT practices, meditations, and biofeedback sessions and therapist messaging.
Online Digital Mental Health Clinic
Denver, Colorado, United States
Change in PHQ-9 Scores
9-item questionnaire to measure depression symptoms
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12, and 2 Month Follow-Up time points
Change in GAD-7 Scores
7-item questionnaire to measure anxiety symptoms
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12, and 2 Month Follow-Up time points
Change in Eurohis-QOL-8 Scores
8-item Quality of Life questionnaire.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12, and 2 Month Follow-Up time points
Change in CSS 15+ Scores
15-item questionnaire to measure psychological distress experiencing and receiving treatment for cancer.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12 time points
Change in Burnout Scores
A single-item questionnaire to address worker stress and burnout.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12, and 2 Month Follow-Up
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