Study of a smartphone-delivered, therapist-supported mindfulness-based therapy program for depression in Finnish university students

Randomized controlled study of a smartphone-delivered, therapist-supported, mindfulness-based intervention for depression in Finnish university students

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN17156687

Enrollment

120

Registered

2018-08-01

Start date

2018-04-10

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2021-05-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Acute depressive disorder (ICD-10 codes F32.0, F32.1, F32.2, and F33.0, F33.1, F33.2, F33.4, F33.8, F33.9) Mental and Behavioural Disorders Depression

Interventions

This is a randomized controlled study testing the efficacy of the Ascend program for depression. The program is delivered through a smartphone application, and guided by a therapist. Approximately 120

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Diagnosis of a depressive disorder (ICD-10 F32 or F33) at the time of enrollment 2. Willingness to commit to the 8-week online therapy program 3. No prior established mindfulness practice/meditation experience 4. Aged 18-40 years 5. Living in Finland 6. Has a smartphone with iOS or Android mobile operating system 7. Access to mobile internet

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Previous suicide attempts 2. Severe suicidal ideation 3. Other serious mental disorders such as psychosis or severe personality disorders 4. Active substance abuse 5. Ongoing psychotherapy

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Depressive symptoms, measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 3 months and 6 months post-intervention	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Anxiety symptoms, measured using Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 3 months and 6 months post-intervention 2. Sleep problems, measured using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 3 months and 6 months post-intervention 3. Quality of life, measured using EUROHIS-Qol 8-item index at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 3 months and 6 months post-intervention 4. Internalization of mindfulness skills, measured using Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire - Short Form, FFMQ-SF at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 3 months and 6 months post-intervention 5. Experienced stress symptoms, measured using Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 3 months and 6 months post-intervention 6. Resilience, measured using Resilience Scale at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 3 months and 6 months post-intervention 7. User-friendliness of the mobile phone (online therapy program) application, measured using System Usability Scale at 8 weeks	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Anxiety symptoms, measured using Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 3 months and 6 months post-intervention 2. Sleep problems, measured using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 3 months and 6 months post-intervention 3. Quality of life, measured using EUROHIS-Qol 8-item index at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 3 months and 6 months post-intervention 4. Internalization of mindfulness skills, measured using Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire - Short Form, FFMQ-SF at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 3 months and 6 months post-intervention 5. Experienced stress symptoms, measured using Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 3 months and 6 months post-intervention 6. Resilience, measured using Resilience Scale at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 3 months and 6 months post-intervention 7. User-friendliness of the mobile phone (online therapy program) application, measured using System Usability Scale at 8 weeks

—

Countries

Finland

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026