Reducing Depressive Symptomatology With a Smartphone App

The app being tested is comprised of courses, exercises and a behavioural activation component. Courses represent the psycho-educational background of the program, comprising topics such as: information on depression, what is CBT, healthy/unhealthy negative emotions, rational/irrational thoughts, behaviour, social support, relaxation techniques, sleep hygiene, relapse prevention, treatment adherence, and suicide prevention plan. Exercises use the information presented in the courses and follow the structure of a regular therapy session/ therapeutic homework. The following exercises are included in the app: Emotional Pulse, Find Irrational Thoughts, and Change Irrational Thoughts. The behavioural activation component consists in two main exercises: My goals and My Activities.

The active placebo intervention will be delivered via the same platform and largely in the same format as the tested app: it will include the same sections and features as the original app, except for the complete exercises. In addition, the psychoeducation section, although mirroring the structure of the corresponding section in the original app, will include different content, elaborating on common sense psychological well being aspects.