Actively Recruiting
A One-Arm Open Trial of a Smartphone Delivered Treatment for Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior
Led by Massachusetts General Hospital · Updated on 2026-04-16
20
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
13 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
M
Massachusetts General Hospital
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating a smartphone-delivered behavioral intervention called Therapeutic Evaluative Conditioning for Suicide (TEC-S) aimed at adults with recent and frequent suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This one-arm open trial focuses on assessing the safety, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of TEC-S in reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviors among 20 adults aged 18 and older living near Boston, MA. Participants will have optional access to the TEC-S treatment on their smartphones for 30 days. TEC-S involves a computerized task where participants repeatedly pair images and words related to suicidal behavior with negative stimuli, and self-related stimuli with positive stimuli, aiming to change attitudes toward suicide. During the study, participants will receive three daily ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) to monitor their suicidal thoughts, safety, and acceptability of the intervention. Weekly self-report and behavioral measures will also assess treatment mechanisms. Throughout the 30-day treatment phase, researchers will collect data on treatment completion, safety, and various measures of suicidal thoughts and behaviors using Likert scales and behavioral tasks. Participants will be monitored closely to ensure safety and acceptability of TEC-S. The study will help understand if this smartphone intervention is a feasible and safe approach to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adults.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
A One-Arm Open Trial of a Smartphone Delivered Treatment for Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adults ages 18 and older
- Recent and frequent active suicidal thoughts (at least 5 days within the past month) as assessed by SITBI-R
- Willing and able to provide at least one emergency contact
- Owns an Android or iOS smartphone
- Has occasional access to Wi-Fi-enabled internet for data upload and download
- Fluent in English and able to provide informed consent
- Living within approximately 50 miles of Boston, Massachusetts
You will not qualify if you...
- Recent (past 3 months) hypo/manic symptoms
- Recent homicidal ideation
- Lifetime diagnosis of psychosis spectrum disorder
- Recent acute suicide risk defined by high suicidal intent (8 or above on 0-10 scale) and specific suicide plan with access to lethal means
- Impaired vision such as legal blindness
- Technological illiteracy or intellectual disability that may affect ability to provide valid data or consent
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 - 30 days
Participants receive optional access to a smartphone-delivered behavioral treatment called Therapeutic Evaluative Conditioning for Suicide (TEC-S) aimed at reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Participants also complete three daily ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) and weekly behavioral and self-report assessments to monitor safety, acceptability, and treatment effects.
Daily assessments 3 times per day and weekly behavioral and self-report assessments
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Adam C Jaroszewski, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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