Actively Recruiting
Context-Aware Mobile Intervention for Social Recovery in Serious Mental Illness (R33)
Led by University of California, San Diego · Updated on 2026-02-23
125
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of California, San Diego
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating a new technology-supported blended intervention called mobile Social Interaction Therapy by Exposure (mSITE) designed to improve social engagement in adults with serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar I disorder, or major depression with a history of psychosis. This study also validates new methods for measuring social behavior changes over time. The goal is to see if mSITE can increase the frequency of social interactions compared to a matched contact condition. The trial compares two groups: one receiving mSITE, which combines brief in-person psychotherapy with context-triggered smartphone interventions and remote telephone coaching, and the other receiving Supportive Contact (SC), which provides the same amount of in-person and remote coaching and device contact but focuses on symptom check-ins, psychoeducation, and flexible discussions with minimal therapist guidance. Participants attend weekly in-person sessions for 8 weeks followed by 15-minute remote coaching sessions for 10 weeks. Participants will be involved for 30 weeks, with assessments at baseline and at weeks 8, 18, and 30 measuring social interactions using tools like ecological momentary assessment, clinical interviews, social functioning scales, symptom scales, and passive mobile sensing. Researchers will monitor changes in social behavior, symptoms, and functioning through these repeated evaluations to assess the impact of the interventions on social recovery.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Context-Aware Mobile Intervention for Social Recovery in Serious Mental Illness (R33)
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Voluntary informed consent and ability to consent
- Age between 18 and 65 years
- Diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar I disorder, or major depression with history of psychosis
- Minimum social avoidance score of 2 or higher on the SANS asociality item
- Able to speak and read English at a 6th grade level or above
You will not qualify if you...
- Received cognitive-behavioral therapy in the past 2 years
- Moderate or greater disorganization on PANSS (P2 item greater than 5)
- Alcohol or substance dependence in the past 3 months
- Requires a level of care that interferes with outpatient therapy (e.g., hospitalization, severe medical illness)
- Unable to see or use a phone adequately
- Living in integrated housing that provides treatment services
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 8 weeks
Participants engage in a blended behavioral intervention involving weekly in-person psychotherapy sessions combined with a context-triggered mobile smartphone intervention and remote telephone coaching.
Weekly in-person sessions
Duration - 10 weeks
Participants receive remote telephone coaching sessions continuing support after the in-person therapy, focusing on recovery goals and symptom management.
Weekly 15-minute remote coaching sessions
Duration - Up to Week 30 from baseline
Participants are assessed for changes in social interactions and other clinical outcomes at multiple timepoints after treatment.
Assessments at Weeks 8, 18, and 30
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of California - San Diego
San Diego, California, United States, 92093
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Jason Holden, PhD
E
Eric Granholm, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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