Evaluating a Smartphone-Based Behavioral Treatment to Reduce Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Adults

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate the acceptability, safety, and early effectiveness of a smartphone-delivered behavioral intervention called Therapeutic Evaluative Conditioning for Suicide TEC-S. The study focuses on adults aged 18 and older who experience recent and frequent suicidal thoughts and behaviors. It seeks to understand how this intervention may help reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors through altering attitudes toward suicide. Participants will have optional access to the active TEC-S intervention for 30 days, which involves a computerized task pairing suicidal stimuli with negative images and self-related stimuli with positive images. Alongside this, participants will receive three daily ecological momentary assessments EMAs to monitor suicidal thoughts, safety, and acceptability. Weekly behavioral and self-report tests will help assess how the treatment may work. During the study, participants will complete daily and weekly assessments about their suicidal thoughts, urges, behaviors, and related feelings. Researchers will monitor the acceptability and safety of TEC-S throughout the 30-day treatment phase. The total participation period includes this treatment phase, with regular data collection to measure various outcomes, including suicidal intent and aversion.

A One-Arm Open Trial of a Smartphone Delivered Treatment for Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior