App-based brain training for young people with depression

The primary aims of this study are to examine the acceptability and safety of app-based cognitive training as well as the potential benefits of training on objective cognitive outcomes for young people with depression, when compared with an active control. The primary intervention is a commercially available cognitive training smartphone app. This involves playing interactive 'game-like' cognitive exercises, which engage a range of cognitive domains including attention/vigilance, processing speed, learning and memory, and various executive functions (e.g. inhibition and flexibility). There is recent evidence to support improvements in untrained domain-specific cognitive tasks following intensive training using this app (i.e. 15 minute training sessions five times per week over 10 weeks) when compared to an active computer game control condition. Adherence will be monitored using software built into the app, with utilisation reports for each participant sent to the research team monthly. Participants that are randomly allocated to this intervention will train on the app individually on at least 4 separate days per week (at least 15 minutes per occasion) over the 8-week intervention duration. Participants will guide their own training program and select their own training exercises. All participants will receive a weekly reminder text to encourage app use. This intervention protocol was informed via focus groups with young people with mental health concerns. All participants will be asked to attend a baseline assessment, start-up meeting (to provide the participant's app allocation and set up a user account, representing the start of the intervention) and post-intervention assessment.