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Anxiety DepressionNCT05074693

Mobile Health and COVID-19

A study testing EASE app in people with Anxiety Depression, run by University of Houston at 2 sites in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The proposed research focuses on evaluating the mobile application, Easing Anxiety Sensitivity for Everyone (EASE), to improve overall public health that concerns risks and mental health status during the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to minimize the existing health disparities among Black… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Anxiety Depression
What is being tested?
EASE app
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
822 participants
Where
2 sitesUnited States
Study dates
20 Dec 2021to 26 Jan 2024
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • ≥ 18 years of age
  • Self-identify as Black, Latinx, American Indian, or NLW
  • Clinically significant anxiety and/or depressive symptoms as evinced by a score of 8 or higher on the Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS) and/or Overall Depression Severity and Impairment Scale (ODSIS)
  • Reside in Texas or Oklahoma
  • Willing/able to complete EMAs on study provided or personal smartphone for 6-month study period
  • Willing and able to complete the 3- and 6-month follow-up assessments via the app and over the phone (i.e., qualitative interview)
  • Score ≥ 4 on the REALM-Short Form indicating > 6th grade English literacy level (needed to complete EMAs)

Who cannot join

  • Not fluent in English
  • Lifetime or significant cognitive impairment
  • Identifying as a race/ethnicity for which the corresponding study cell has been filled

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country.

United States2 sites
  • RESTORE Laboratory: Research on Emotion, Substance Use Treatment Outcomes, Rehabilitation, and Empowerment

    Houston, Texas, 77204

  • TSET Health Promotion Research Center

    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Mobile Health to Monitor Risk for COVID-19 and Improve Mental Health During the Pandemic

The proposed research focuses on evaluating the mobile application, Easing Anxiety Sensitivity for Everyone (EASE), to improve overall public health that concerns risks and mental health status during the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to minimize the existing health disparities among Black, Hispanic and Latino, and American Indian (BLAI) individuals during this time. EASE provides COVID-19 symptom monitoring, exposure management skills, and psychoeducation on stress and it's impact on infection and disease susceptibility. This study aims to compare the effect of EASE to an empirical measurement of standard-of-care digital intervention and to identify the effective mechanisms in EASE.

Read the detailed description

The objective of the current trial is to address health disparities in access to behavioral health care during the COVID-19 pandemic among BLAI via an adaptation of our established, initially validated, low-cost, mobile application ('app'). Participants (N = 880; 220 Black, 220 Hispanic and Latino, 220 American Indian, and 220 NLW) will be randomized to either our established clinical grade app: Easing Anxiety Sensitivity for Everyone (EASE; n=440; n=110 from each of the 4 race/ethnic groups), or an active standard-of-care control digital mindfulness/meditation intervention for anxiety and depression (n=440; n=110 from each of the 4 race/ethnic groups). The present study will include a baseline assessment, a 3-month intervention period, a 3-month continued assessment period (with access to intervention materials), and 3- and 6-month post-baseline assessments with a qualitative interview via phone or online platform (e.g., Zoom) at the 6-month follow-up for some participants. Due to the high vulnerability for COVID-19 related medical complications in minority populations, all participants will receive our previously developed COVID-19 monitoring and symptoms intervention component that already is in use (see below for details) for the 6-month study period. In addition, all participants will complete two daily EMAs throughout the study period. For EASE participants, EMAs will guide the just-in-time approach to immediate, personalized behavioral health care. We have had success with participants completing EMAs in our prior work (e.g., approximately 70% of all prompted daily EMAs completed over a 6-month period). Consistent with several of our studies (e.g., Smart-T3 R01, Phoenix, Persist), all assessments will be completed remotely via REDCap and InsightTM app

Being tested
EASE app, INSIGHT (Control) App
Keywords
COVID-19, Health Disparities, Mobile Health
Medical subject headings
COVID-19

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • EASE appOther

    EASE is a mobile intervention designed to reduce ongoing mental health concerns among BLAI individuals with elevated anxiety and/or depressive symptoms by targeting anxiety sensitivity. The EASE app employs a variety of features to educate its users on how to deal with increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, and train users on how to better cope with the negative feelings of stress. The app contains a series of on-demand features, including a coping toolkit, stress management trainings, and a series of educational videos designed to teach participants how to better deal with stress. EASE also utilizes Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMAs) to gather information, and provide personalized messages to users in real time. Finally, EASE is outfitted with COVID-19 related elements, including a symptoms tracker (which participants can use to report symptoms of COVID-19 they may be experiencing), and a collection of COVID-19 related food, housing, and job placement resources.

  • INSIGHT (Control) AppOther

    A standard of care control intervention was developed using the INSIGHT platform. This app contains a library of educational videos that cover topics such as meditation and mindfulness, as well as general stress reduction techniques. Additionally, participants have access to a "Report Distress" feature that enables them to report moments when they are feeling high levels of stress. Finally, participants will be able to report any COVID-19 related symptoms they experience using a COVID-19 symptom tracker feature. Participants assigned to this condition will received 2 daily EMAs, during which they will be prompted to watch one of the aforementioned educational videos.

Study groups in NCT05074693
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
EASE AppExperimentalEASE is a intervention designed to address anxiety and depression symptoms in its users through the use of educational videos, tailored messages, and interoceptive exercises designed to help the user overcome negative feelings of stress.
Receives: Other: EASE app
INSIGHT (Control) APPOtherThe Insight app provides users with educational videos on mindfulness and meditation techniques.
Receives: Other: INSIGHT (Control) App

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Everyday Impairment

    Changes in reported anxiety and depression related impairment experienced in major life sectors (work performance, household maintenance, social interactions, relationships) as measured by study developed items from Baseline to follow-up assessments. This measure was created by the study team and was 4 items rated from 1 (Strongly disagree) to 5 (Strongly agree). The scale is summed for a total score with ranges from 4 to 25, with higher scores indicating greater everyday impairment.

    Measured: From Baseline to 6-Months

  2. Anxiety

    Change from Screener in anxiety on the 5-item Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS) at follow-up appointments. The OASIS is made up of 5 items rated on a scale from 0 to 4. The OASIS is summed for a total score, with a range from 0 to 25, with higher scores indicating higher anxiety severity and impairment.

    Measured: From Screener to 6-Months

  3. Depression

    Change from Screener in depression on the 5-item Overall Depression Severity and Impairment Scale (ODSIS) at subsequent follow-up appointments. The ODSIS is made up of 5 items rated on a scale from 0 to 4. The ODSIS is summed for a total score, with a range from 0 to 25, with higher scores indicating higher depression severity and impairment.

    Measured: From Screener to 6-Month

Secondary outcomes (8)
  1. Perceived Discrimination

    The Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS) is a six-item scale that assesses perceptions of discrimination or unfair treatment. The EDS will be utilized to explore whether perceived racial discrimination functions as a moderator of treatment effects on the primary outcomes listed as primary outcomes. The EDS is summed for a total score, with a range from 0 to 20. Higher scores indicate greater everyday discrimination.

    Measured: From Baseline to end of study, up to 6 months.

  2. Racial Bias/Discrimination

    The Coronavirus Racial Bias Scale (CRBS) is a brief self-report questionnaire that measures levels of perceived racial bias/discrimination due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CRBS will be utilized to explore whether perceived racial discrimination due to the COVID-19 pandemic functions as a moderator of the EASE effects. The CRBS will be utilized to explore whether perceived racial discrimination due to the COVID-19 pandemic functions as a moderator of treatment effects on the primary outcomes listed as primary outcomes. The CRBS is a mean score, with higher scores indicating greater coronavirus racial bias.

    Measured: From Baseline to end of study, up to 6 months.

  3. Perceive Social Support

    The Perceived Social Support Questionnaire (F-SozU K-6) is a measure of the perceived social support. The F-SozU K-6 is summed for a total score, with a range from 6 to 24. Higher scores indicate greater degrees of social support. The F-SozU K-6 will be utilized to explore whether social support functions as a moderator of the treatment effects on the primary outcomes listed as primary outcomes.

    Measured: From Baseline to end of study, up to 6 months.

  4. Subjective Social Status

    The MacArthur Scale of Subjective Social Status is a measures of perceived social status. The MSSS will be utilized to explore whether perceived social status functions as a moderator of the treatment effects on the primary outcomes listed as primary outcomes. The MSSS is not score but has a range from 0 to 10.

    Measured: From Baseline to end of study, up to 6 months.

  5. Anxiety Sensitivity

    The Short Scale Anxiety Sensitivity Index (SSASI) will be used to explore whether Intervention effects on study outcomes are mediated by reductions in anxiety sensitivity. The SSASI is a total score with a range from 0 to 20, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety sensitivity.

    Measured: Baseline to end of study, up to 6 months.

  6. Discrimination Burden

    The discrimination burden section of the Jackson Heart Study Discrimination Instrument will be used to measure perceived experience of discrimination. The measure is a total score with ranges from 4 to 12. Higher scores indicate higher difficulty living a productive and full life because of perceived experience of discrimination. This measure will be used to assess whether discrimination burden functions as a moderator of the EASE effects.

    Measured: From Baseline to end of study, up to 6 months.

  7. Fear of COVID-19

    The Fear of COIVD-19 scale will be used to explore whether intervention effects on study primary outcomes are mediated by reductions in fear related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The FCV is summed for a total score with a range from 5 to 25. Higher scores indicate greater fear of COVID-19.

    Measured: Baseline to end of study, up to 6 months.

  8. Acculturation

    The Abbreviated Multidimensional Acculturation Scale (AMAS) assesses an individual's level of acculturation to a host culture. The AMAS is a mean score. For questions that ask participants how strongly they feel apart of U.S. culture, higher scores indicate higher levels of acculturation. For questions that ask about their future of origin, higher score indicate lower levels of acculturation. This measure will be used to assess whether acculturation functions as a moderator of the EASE effects

    Measured: Baseline

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted12 Oct 2021
  2. Study start20 Dec 2021
  3. Primary completion26 Jan 2024
  4. Study completion26 Jan 2024

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
822 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05074693
Sponsor's protocol ID
STUDY00002802
Status last verified
May 2026
First submitted
2 Oct 2021
Last updated
12 Jun 2026
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • Rhudy JL, Kell PA, Shadlow JO, Lowe TS, Stephens LD, Zvolensky MJ, Garey L, Kendzor DE, Businelle MS. Assessing racial/ethnic differences in sleep-pain relationships using intensive longitudinal modeling among Native Americans. Sleep. 2026 Jan 13;49(1):zsaf216. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsaf216.

    PubMed 40709831
  • Garey L, Zvolensky MJ, Gallagher MW, Vujanovic A, Kendzor DE, Stephens L, Cheney MK, Cole AB, Kezbers K, Matoska CT, Robison J, Montgomery A, Zappi CV, Businelle MS. A Smartphone-Based Intervention for Anxiety and Depression in Racially and Ethnically Diverse Adults (EASE): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2022 Dec 5;11(12):e40713. doi: 10.2196/40713.

    PubMed 36409958

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing EASE app in people with Anxiety Depression, run by University of Houston at 2 sites in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 24 Sep 2025). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Everyday Impairment (time frame: From Baseline to 6-Months). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05074693, which also lists 2 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 12 Jun 2026.

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