AI Mental Health Tool for Depression

Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Slingshot AI
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if Ash, an AI chat tool for mental health, works better than static psychoedcuation in reducing mental health symptoms. Participants must be new users to the Ash app and have at least moderate symptoms of depression. The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Does using Ash for 4 weeks lower depression symptoms more than 4 weeks of regularly presented psychoeducation?

* Does using Ash change anxiety, sleep, stress, and other symptoms more than psychoeducation?

Researchers will compare two groups to see if Ash works as well as therapy:

* One group will get free access to Ash right away.

* The other group will get 4 weeks of regularly presented psychoeducation, then get free access to Ash afterward.

Participants will:

* Fill out an online survey about their symptoms at the start of the study

* Use Ash or receive psychoeducation, depending on their group

* Fill out follow-up surveys about their symptoms and well-being at 2, 4, 8, and 36 weeks

* Complete all study activities online; no in-person visits are required

Who Is on the Research Team?

CS

Caitlin Stamatis, PhD

Principal Investigator

Slingshot AI

DH

Derrick Hull, PhD

Principal Investigator

Slingshot AI

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with at least moderate depression symptoms who are new users of the Ash mental health app. All activities are online, and participants must be able to complete surveys over several weeks.

Inclusion Criteria

Residents of the United States
New Ash users with active accounts at the time of recruitment
English-speaking
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Exclusion Criteria

ASRM total score >= 6 at screening indicating positive screen for mania
PRIME-5 positive at screening defined as >= 1 item rated 6 or >= 3 items rated 5 indicating positive screen for psychosis-spectrum symptoms
Self-reported heavy episodic drinking weekly or more often on NIAAA single-item alcohol screen in past 12 months
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What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Ash
  • Brief Therapist-Delivered Telehealth

Trial Overview

The study compares two groups: one uses Ash, an AI chat tool for mental health support, while the other receives psychoeducation materials online. After 4 weeks, both groups get access to Ash. Progress is tracked through online surveys.

How Is the Trial Designed?

2

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Ash (AI Mental Health Tool)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: PsychoeducationActive Control1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Slingshot AI

Lead Sponsor