This study will adapt and assess the preliminary effectiveness of a community health worker-delivered mental health counselling intervention delivered remotely to reduce anxiety and depression among people with HIV in Florida.
The investigators will conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial to evaluate the preliminary effectiveness of an adapted community health worker (CWH)-delivered positive affect counselling intervention delivered remotely via mHealth. The adapted intervention will include CHW-delivered positive affect skill-based counseling accessible through video call that will be accessible through the mHealth app. The CHW will conduct approximately 5 weekly individual 60-minute counseling sessions via a secure video call feature. If the participant does not have symptomatic improvement, the CHW will refer the participant to a licensed mental health professional. Participants will be randomized to receive access to the counselling intervention that also includes modified features of the mHealth app with increased mental health resources (intervention arm) or to current standard of mental health care that includes the unmodified version of the app (control arm). Participants allocated to the intervention arm will receive the counseling intervention approximately weekly for 5 weeks. The study will continue to abstract data from participants' EMR and mHealth app for approximately 6 months after enrollment. To assess preliminary effectiveness, the investigators will analyze differences by condition in anxiety and depression (primary outcome). Informed consent will be obtained prior to study participation.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
A community health worker delivered, specialized counseling intervention through video call on the PositiveLinks app
This intervention includes the use of the unmodified PositiveLinks app and the standard of care for addressing anxiety and depression in the HIV clinic
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, United States
RECRUITINGReduction in Depression
The intervention aims to reduce depression. This will be assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8). The minimum score is 0. The maximum score is 24. A higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Time frame: 3 months
Reduction in Anxiety
The intervention aims to reduce anxiety. This will be assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). The minimum score is 0. The maximum score is 21. A higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Time frame: 3 months
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