Just-In-Time Adaptive Interventions (JITAIs) in a Digital Mental Health Intervention for Middle-Aged and Older Adults With Chronic Pain

Summary

The purpose of this research study is to refine customized in-app notifications in order to optimize users' experience with a mobile app called Wysa for Chronic Pain. This app is designed to support people who have chronic pain and who also experience symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. This version of the app is not currently available to the public. Eligible participants will be asked to download and use the Wysa for Chronic Pain study app for several weeks, and to use it as they normally would if they were not part of a research study. At the beginning and end of the study period, participants will be asked to complete brief surveys about their mood, pain, physical function, and sleep. Additionally, a few participants will be asked to share their experience with the study app at the end of the research study in a casual interview using a secure audio/video recorded call. Participating in the interview portion is optional.

Conditions

• Chronic Pain
• Depression, Anxiety

Interventions

OTHER

Just-In-Time Adaptive Interventions (JITAIs)

JITAIs are digital interventions that aim to deliver support to a user when the person is most in need and receptive to the intervention. In this study, multiple JITAIs will be tested and refined through completion of an iterative series of randomized trials that are interspersed with qualitative participant interviews. The purpose of each JITAI under investigation is to improve engagement with the Wysa for Chronic Pain app.

BEHAVIORAL

Wysa for Chronic Pain

Wysa for Chronic Pain is an app-based digital mental health intervention that uses a behavioral activation framework and encourages users to work toward pain acceptance. The intervention also includes cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and sleep tools.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

  collaborator NIH

• Duke University

  collaborator OTHER

• Wysa

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• Washington University School of Medicine

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Abby L. Cheng, MD, MPHS · Washington University School of Medicine

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

SEQUENTIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

45 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-06-02

Primary Completion

2026-12-31

Completion

2026-12-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations