Developing and Testing an Online Pathway From Screening to Treatment for Depression in Oncology: iPath*D (Aim 2) (iPath Pilot)

Dartmouth Health

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Depression; Cancer

Treatments: Other: iPath*D

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT05302375

STUDY02002016

R21CA249767 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which an online pathway to depression treatment (iPath*D) is acceptable and usable to patients receiving cancer treatment who report symptoms of depression.

Full description

The investigators will determine the extent to which an online pathway to depression treatment (iPath*D) is acceptable and usable to patients receiving cancer treatment who report symptoms of depression. iPath*D will be designed to increase screening, mental health literacy, and treatment access. Patients will access their iPath*D account online to review their PHQ-9 score and its interpretation, followed by an interactive depression decision aid comparing information on a range of online and in-person treatment options. Upon review of the decision aid, participants will be able to directly connect to a treatment path via embedded hyperlinks in the decision aid.

The investigators will determine the usability, acceptability, and feasibility of iPath*D. The investigators will explore the hypothesis that iPath*D will be highly usable, acceptable to patients, feasible to implement, and will result in improved mental health literacy, and greater treatment access. The tool for the study was developed during a preliminary portion (Aim 1) of the project, under D-H IRB number STUDY02001240 .

This approach uses an open-label, single arm pilot, with adult patients receiving treatment for cancer in a rural cancer clinic, St Johnsbury, VT (Dartmouth Cancer Center North) (n=30) with moderate-severe depression, Aim 2 of the project.

Enrollment: 30 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria

1. Adults (≥18 years)
2. New patients who are beginning treatment at Dartmouth Cancer Center North and returning for their chemo teach or radiation simulation visit
3. Can communicate in English
4. PHQ-9 ≥10 and ≤27

Exclusion criteria

1. Mild Depression (PHQ-9 ≥10)
2. Individuals who screen positive for suicidal ideation with method, intent, plan or a recent prior suicide/self-harm attempt, as determined by a positive endorsement of items 3, 4, 5 or 6 on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSR).
3. Individuals with bipolar disorder or psychosis (documented in the EMR)
4. Individuals currently receiving treatment for a mental health condition (documented in the EMR or self-reported during eligibility screening)
5. Significant cognitive impairment (Callahan's Six Item Screener of cognitive function ≤ 4; Self-reported during eligibility screening)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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30 participants in 1 patient group

iPath*D

Experimental group

Description:

An online platform that connects patients screening positive for clinically significant depression in cancer settings to a range of online and inperson evidence-based treatments, facilitated by an interactive DA.

Treatment:

Other: iPath*D