AdherenceNCT07668843
MyPocketPal Feasibility Study
A study testing MyPocketPal in people with Adherence and Engagement, run by Nanyang Technological University at 1 site in Singapore.
Trial summary
Participants will take part in a 4-week study consisting of two in-person sessions. During the first session, participants will complete a demographic form and baseline questionnaire, after which the study application will be installed on their preferred device. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 15 to 35 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Adherence, Engagement
- What is being tested?
- MyPocketPal
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 70 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSingapore
- Study dates
- 24 Mar 2024to 30 Jun 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 15 to 35 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Age: Between 15 and 35 years of age.
- Enrollment: Currently enrolled as students at a local university.
- Language: Proficient in English.
- Technology: Owned a smartphone capable of running the study application.
Who cannot join
- Age: Below 15 or above 35 years of age.
- Enrollment: Not currently enrolled as students at a local university.
- Language: Not proficient in English.
- Technology: Does not own a smartphone capable of running the study application.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Feasibility and Acceptability of a Working Alliance-Informed Digital Mental Health App for University Students: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Participants will take part in a 4-week study consisting of two in-person sessions. During the first session, participants will complete a demographic form and baseline questionnaire, after which the study application will be installed on their preferred device. A research team member will provide a brief introduction to the application, guide participants through the registration process, and schedule the second session. Participants will then be randomly assigned to one of two study conditions, with each group receiving a different version of the application's mental health content.
Over the following four weeks, participants may use the application freely and at their own discretion. The application will send weekly reminders based on participants' preferred day and time, but no further contact will be initiated by the research team unless participants require assistance or wish to withdraw. Depending on their assigned condition, participants will either access standard mental health content or content delivered through a virtual agent that introduces weekly themes and recommends resources based on individual interests. The application will automatically record user interactions, such as content viewed, duration of use, and navigation patterns, for research analysis.
At the end of the study period, participants will attend a second in-person session where they will complete a follow-up questionnaire and participate in a short semi-structured interview. The questionnaires and interview will assess participants' perceptions of the application, including therapeutic alliance, perceived usefulness, and intention to continue using it. The interview will also provide additional insights to help interpret participants' usage patterns and experiences with the application. Participants will receive compensation upon completion of the study.
- Conditions
- Adherence, Engagement
- Being tested
- MyPocketPal, Control
- Keywords
- Working Alliance, Digital Mental Health App, University Students
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
MyPocketPalOther
The intervention app, MyPocketPal, is a digital mental health literacy application designed for university students and informed by the digital working alliance framework. The app aims to enhance mental health knowledge and engagement through personalized, contextually relevant content tailored to students' interests and experiences. It includes six modules covering mental health information, personal stories, self-help tools, wellness resources, support services, and additional resources. A virtual agent introduces weekly content and provides recommendations based on user preferences. Interactive features such as guided breathing exercises, meditation, journaling, and mental health screening tools are incorporated to promote engagement, while content is released progressively to reduce information overload and encourage sustained use.
ControlOther
The control application consisted of a digital mental health resource that presented general well-being content commonly available to university students. Content included articles, infographics, videos, event listings, support contacts, and links to external mental health tools covering topics such as stress management, sleep hygiene, mindfulness, and overall well-being. Information was organized into browsable categories and updated regularly.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention | Experimental | The intervention group used an application whose design was guided by digital working alliance. Receives: Other: MyPocketPal |
| Control | Active comparator | The control group used a standard digital well-being resource available to students through the university's well-being office. Receives: Other: Control |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Perceived Usefulness, Attitude and Intention to Use from Technology Acceptance Model
9 Items used to measure the Technology Acceptance Model constructs of Perceived Usefulness, Attitude and Intention to Use were adapted from were adapted from Klopping and McKinney (2004), Yu and Yu (2010), and Ahadzadeh, Sharif (2015).
The measurements were taken utilizing a 7 point Likert scale where 1 represented Strongly Disagree and 7 represented Strongly Agree
Measured: Scores were collected prior to starting the study and at the end of the 4 week study during follow up.
Changes in scores from Baseline in Digital Working Alliance Inventory at the end of 4 week intervention.
6 Items used to measure the constructs of Shared Goals, Task Relevance, Bonds and Digital Working Alliance were adapted from Goldberd et al. (2022)
The measurements were taken utilizing a 7 point Likert scale where 1 represented Strongly Disagree and 7 represented Strongly Agree
Measured: Scores were collected prior to starting the study and at the end of the 4 week study during follow up.
Changes in scores from Baseline in Technological Self-Efficacy and Task Technology Fit at the end of 4 week intervention.
6 Items measuring were used to measure the constructs of Technological Self-Efficacy and Task Technology Fit were adapted from Becker (2016).
The measurements were taken utilizing a 7 point Likert scale where 1 represented Strongly Disagree and 7 represented Strongly Agree.
Measured: Scores were collected prior to starting the study and at the end of the 4 week study during follow up.
Number of Logins Per Week
Participants were advised to log in once per week. To track adherence, the number of logins to the application (where the application was launched and brought to the foreground) was collected. This data was collected automatically by the application. The value ranges from 0 to X where 0 represents no logins and X where X is an integer representing the number of logins and will be used to understand a participants weekly adherence and engagement.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks
Number of Minutes Spent in the Application Per Week
To track engagement, the number of minutes spent in the application was collected. Users were considered to be spending time in the application when the application was launched and in the foreground of the mobile device. This data was collected automatically by the application. The value ranges from 0 to X where 0 represents 0 minutes spent in the application and X is an integer representing the total number of minutes spent in the application, and will be used to understand a participant's weekly engagement.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Jun 2026
- Study start24 Mar 2024
- Primary completion5 Jun 2024
- Study completion30 Jun 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (5)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for AdherenceStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 70 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Nanyang Technological University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07668843
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB-2023-233
- Status last verified
- Nov 2025
- First submitted
- 16 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 25 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Ahadzadeh AS, Pahlevan Sharif S, Ong FS, Khong KW. Integrating health belief model and technology acceptance model: an investigation of health-related internet use. J Med Internet Res. 2015 Feb 19;17(2):e45. doi: 10.2196/jmir.3564.
PubMed 25700481Yu TK, Yu TY. Modelling the factors that affect individuals' utilisation of online learning systems: An empirical study combining the task technology fit model with the theory of planned behaviour. British Journal of Educational Technology. 2010;41(6):1003-17.
Klopping IM, McKinney E. Extending the technology acceptance model and the task-technology fit model to consumer e-commerce. Information Technology, Learning & Performance Journal. 2004;22(1).
Goldberg SB, Baldwin SA, Riordan KM, Torous J, Dahl CJ, Davidson RJ, Hirshberg MJ. Alliance With an Unguided Smartphone App: Validation of the Digital Working Alliance Inventory. Assessment. 2022 Sep;29(6):1331-1345. doi: 10.1177/10731911211015310. Epub 2021 May 18.
PubMed 34000843Becker D. Acceptance of mobile mental health treatment applications. Procedia Computer Science. 2016;98:220-7.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Feasibility and Acceptability of a Working Alliance-Informed Digital Mental Health App for University Students: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07668843
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRB-2023-233
- Conditions
- Adherence, Engagement
- Keywords
- Working Alliance, Digital Mental Health App, University Students
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 70 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Nanyang Technological UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 24 Mar 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 5 Jun 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Jun 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 25 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Participants will take part in a 4-week study consisting of two in-person sessions. During the first session, participants will complete a demographic form and baseline questionnaire, after which the study application will be installed on their preferred device. A research team member will provide a brief introduction to the application, guide participants through the registration process, and schedule the second session. Participants will then be randomly assigned to one of two study conditions, with each group receiving a different version of the application's mental health content.
Over the following four weeks, participants may use the application freely and at their own discretion. The application will send weekly reminders based on participants' preferred day and time, but no further contact will be initiated by the research team unless participants require assistance or wish to withdraw. Depending on their assigned condition, participants will either access standard mental health content or content delivered through a virtual agent that introduces weekly themes and recommends resources based on individual interests. The application will automatically record user interactions, such as content viewed, duration of use, and navigation patterns, for research analysis.
At the end of the study period, participants will attend a second in-person session where they will complete a follow-up questionnaire and participate in a short semi-structured interview. The questionnaires and interview will assess participants' perceptions of the application, including therapeutic alliance, perceived usefulness, and intention to continue using it. The interview will also provide additional insights to help interpret participants' usage patterns and experiences with the application. Participants will receive compensation upon completion of the study.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention | Experimental | Other: MyPocketPalThe intervention group used an application whose design was guided by digital working alliance. |
| Control | Active comparator | Other: ControlThe control group used a standard digital well-being resource available to students through the university's well-being office. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 15 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Age: Between 15 and 35 years of age.
- Enrollment: Currently enrolled as students at a local university.
- Language: Proficient in English.
- Technology: Owned a smartphone capable of running the study application.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Age: Below 15 or above 35 years of age.
- Enrollment: Not currently enrolled as students at a local university.
- Language: Not proficient in English.
- Technology: Does not own a smartphone capable of running the study application.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| MyPocketPalThe intervention app, MyPocketPal, is a digital mental health literacy application designed for university students and informed by the digital working alliance framework. The app aims to enhance mental health knowledge and engagement through personalized, contextually relevant content tailored to students' interests and experiences. It includes six modules covering mental health information, personal stories, self-help tools, wellness resources, support services, and additional resources. A virtual agent introduces weekly content and provides recommendations based on user preferences. Interactive features such as guided breathing exercises, meditation, journaling, and mental health screening tools are incorporated to promote engagement, while content is released progressively to reduce information overload and encourage sustained use. | Other | Intervention |
| ControlThe control application consisted of a digital mental health resource that presented general well-being content commonly available to university students. Content included articles, infographics, videos, event listings, support contacts, and links to external mental health tools covering topics such as stress management, sleep hygiene, mindfulness, and overall well-being. Information was organized into browsable categories and updated regularly. | Other | Control |
Primary outcome
Perceived Usefulness, Attitude and Intention to Use from Technology Acceptance Model
Time frame: Scores were collected prior to starting the study and at the end of the 4 week study during follow up.
9 Items used to measure the Technology Acceptance Model constructs of Perceived Usefulness, Attitude and Intention to Use were adapted from were adapted from Klopping and McKinney (2004), Yu and Yu (2010), and Ahadzadeh, Sharif (2015). The measurements were taken utilizing a 7 point Likert scale where 1 represented Strongly Disagree and 7 represented Strongly Agree
Changes in scores from Baseline in Digital Working Alliance Inventory at the end of 4 week intervention.
Time frame: Scores were collected prior to starting the study and at the end of the 4 week study during follow up.
6 Items used to measure the constructs of Shared Goals, Task Relevance, Bonds and Digital Working Alliance were adapted from Goldberd et al. (2022) The measurements were taken utilizing a 7 point Likert scale where 1 represented Strongly Disagree and 7 represented Strongly Agree
Changes in scores from Baseline in Technological Self-Efficacy and Task Technology Fit at the end of 4 week intervention.
Time frame: Scores were collected prior to starting the study and at the end of the 4 week study during follow up.
6 Items measuring were used to measure the constructs of Technological Self-Efficacy and Task Technology Fit were adapted from Becker (2016). The measurements were taken utilizing a 7 point Likert scale where 1 represented Strongly Disagree and 7 represented Strongly Agree.
Number of Logins Per Week
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks
Participants were advised to log in once per week. To track adherence, the number of logins to the application (where the application was launched and brought to the foreground) was collected. This data was collected automatically by the application. The value ranges from 0 to X where 0 represents no logins and X where X is an integer representing the number of logins and will be used to understand a participants weekly adherence and engagement.
Number of Minutes Spent in the Application Per Week
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks
To track engagement, the number of minutes spent in the application was collected. Users were considered to be spending time in the application when the application was launched and in the foreground of the mobile device. This data was collected automatically by the application. The value ranges from 0 to X where 0 represents 0 minutes spent in the application and X is an integer representing the total number of minutes spent in the application, and will be used to understand a participant's weekly engagement.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 25 Jun 2026.
- Background: PubMed 25700481Ahadzadeh AS, Pahlevan Sharif S, Ong FS, Khong KW. Integrating health belief model and technology acceptance model: an investigation of health-related internet use. J Med Internet Res. 2015 Feb 19;17(2):e45. doi: 10.2196/jmir.3564.
- BackgroundYu TK, Yu TY. Modelling the factors that affect individuals' utilisation of online learning systems: An empirical study combining the task technology fit model with the theory of planned behaviour. British Journal of Educational Technology. 2010;41(6):1003-17.
- BackgroundKlopping IM, McKinney E. Extending the technology acceptance model and the task-technology fit model to consumer e-commerce. Information Technology, Learning & Performance Journal. 2004;22(1).
- Background: PubMed 34000843Goldberg SB, Baldwin SA, Riordan KM, Torous J, Dahl CJ, Davidson RJ, Hirshberg MJ. Alliance With an Unguided Smartphone App: Validation of the Digital Working Alliance Inventory. Assessment. 2022 Sep;29(6):1331-1345. doi: 10.1177/10731911211015310. Epub 2021 May 18.
- BackgroundBecker D. Acceptance of mobile mental health treatment applications. Procedia Computer Science. 2016;98:220-7.
Related trials for Adherence
RecruitingPhase 4
Evaluating a Dropless Postoperative Regimen After Cataract Surgery in a Vulnerable, County-hospital Population
Cataract, Surgery
Active, not recruiting
A Mobile App to Improve 24-Hour Movement Guideline Adherence in Preschoolers
Healthy, 24-Hour Movement Guidelines
Not yet recruiting
Testing a Smartphone App to Support a Mediterranean Diet and Strength Exercise
Treatment Adherence and Compliance, Resistance Exercise
Not yet recruitingObservational study
Factors Influencing Adoption of a Novel Malaria Treatment in Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Rwanda
Malaria
Enrolling by invitationObservational study
Heart Rate Variability and Medication Adherence in Resistant Hypertension
Resistant Hypertension, Medication Adherence
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing MyPocketPal in people with Adherence and Engagement, run by Nanyang Technological University at 1 site in Singapore.
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 4 inclusion and 4 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 25 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 1 site in Singapore. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
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?
Perceived Usefulness, Attitude and Intention to Use from Technology Acceptance Model (time frame: Scores were collected prior to starting the study and at the end of the 4 week study during follow up.). The study lists 5 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 NCT07668843, which also lists 5 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 25 Jun 2026.