Well-being Training for Adolescent Depressive Symptoms (TeenWell Study)

Last updated: July 21, 2025
Sponsor: University of Wisconsin, Madison
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Depression

Treatment

Healthy Minds Program App

Hydro Coach App

Clinical Study ID

NCT06626425
2023-0554
Protocol Version 5/22/25
Protocol Version 10/28/24
1K01MH130752-01A1
A483000
Protocol Version 2/10/25
Protocol Version 8/28/24
  • Ages 14-19
  • All Genders

Study Summary

This study is being done to see if the Healthy Minds Program app helps adolescents with elevated depressive symptoms. Up to 200 participants will be on study for 20 weeks.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

  1. Age 14 to 19

  2. Currently in high school (i.e., 9th to 12th grade) or if not attending school, wouldbe in high school if enrolled

  3. Proficient in English

  4. Able to understand and provide informed consent (greater than or equal to 18 yearsold) or assent and parent/guardian consent (if less than 18 years old)

  5. PROMIS Depression Scale T-score greater than or equal to 60

  6. If on a psychotropic meditation, has been receiving a stable dose for greater thanor equal to 4 weeks

  7. Willing and able to complete all study procedures

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Has received a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma (HSED orGED)

  2. Weekly or more frequent meditation practice

  3. Prior use of the Healthy Minds Program app

  4. Prior use of the water tracking app

  5. Endorses current active suicidal ideation with intent on the baseline screen

  6. Self-reported history of psychosis or mania

  7. Practiced the techniques learned in a mindfulness-based therapy AcceptanceCommitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-BasedStress Reduction (MBSR) etc. one or more times per week in the last 6 months.Include therapy sessions if mindfulness is practiced in session or planning to startone of these therapies during the study period.

Study Design

Total Participants: 200
Treatment Group(s): 2
Primary Treatment: Healthy Minds Program App
Phase:
Study Start date:
December 07, 2024
Estimated Completion Date:
October 31, 2026

Study Description

Participants will be randomized into one of two groups: Healthy Minds Program intervention group (HMP) or a water tracking active control group. The groups will use different mobile health apps for eight weeks. All participants will complete assessments pre-intervention, after weeks 2, 4, and 6 of the intervention, at week 8 (post-intervention), and at week 20 (follow-up). Participants will complete a short daily diary set of questions on their social interactions that day. Participants will wear a Biostrap band for continuous collection of heart rate, movement, and daily sleep indices, and geolocation data will be extracted from participant phones using the FollowMee app. Participants will receive access to the app they were not assigned to after follow-up.

Primary Objective

  • Assess acceptability and preliminary efficacy of an 8-week mHealth meditation training program on depressive symptoms.

Secondary Objectives

  • Investigate effects of the meditation training program on symptoms of anxiety, behavior (social isolation), psychophysiological processes related to health and disease (e.g., sleep). Test changes in behavior and psychophysiology as mechanisms of improved mental health. Test whether improved mental health is associated with improved academic outcomes.

Connect with a study center

  • Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin Madison

    Madison, Wisconsin 53705
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

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