A therapist-guided smartphone app for major depression in young adults: A randomized clinical trial

Meru Health Program (MHP) is a therapist-guided, 8-week intervention for depression delivered via smartphone. The aim was to test its efficacy in patients with clinical Finnish university student health service. Patients (n=124, women 72.6%, mean age 25y) were stratified based on antidepressant status, and randomized into group receiving MHP plus treatment as usual (TAU), control TAU only. Depression, measured by the Patient Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale, primary outcome. After baseline (T0), follow-ups at mid-intervention (T4), immediately post-intervention (T8); 3 months (T20), 6 (T32) post-intervention. did not have significant differences outcomes throughout end of follow-up. Among secondary outcomes, increase resilience (d=0.32, p=0.03) mindfulness (d=0.57, p=0.002), reduction perceived stress (d=-0.52, p=0.008) greater MHP+TAU versus T32; no found anxiety, sleep disturbances, quality life between groups. Post-hoc comparisons antidepressants showed significantly T32 (d=-0.73, p=0.01); between-group differences. Limitations include unknown characteristics TAU, potential bias from providers being blinded group, failure specify examination status protocol. Most including depression, differ TAU. Exploratory analysis revealed effect 6-month follow-up among medication.