A Relational Agent Intervention for Adolescents Seeking Mental Health Treatment: Outcomes From a Randomized Controlled Trial Within a Children's Outpatient Hospital.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Despite steady increases in the prevalence of depression and anxiety, many adolescents remain undertreated. Digital mental health interventions (DMHI) may address some barriers to care. This study is the first to examine the prospective noninferiority of a smartphone-based, self-guided relational agent (W-GenZD) DMHI to address adolescent depressive symptoms compared to group-based telehealth cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

Method

Adolescents 13 to 17 years of age who were seeking treatment for depression and/or anxiety at a children's hospital outpatient mental health program and who met study inclusion criteria were randomized to either W-GenZD (n = 71) or CBT Group (n = 70). The primary aim was to examine feasibility and acceptability. The secondary aim was

SUBMITTER: Gleason MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12684459 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature