An Adaptive Algorithm-Based Approach to Treatment for Adolescent Depression

An Adaptive Algorithm-Based Approach to Treatment for Adolescent Depression

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of two adaptive treatment strategies (ATSs) for adolescent depression. The ATSs include delivery of an evidence-based psychotherapy (interpersonal psychotherapy for depressed adolescents, IPT-A), systematic symptom monitoring, and an empirically-derived algorithm that specifies whether, when, and how to augment IPT-A. Two hundred depressed adolescents (age 12-18) will be recruited to participate in a 16-week sequential multiple assignment randomized trial conducted in outpatient community mental health clinics. Adolescents will be randomized to the IPT-A ATS condition or the community clinic's usual care (UC). Adolescents in the IPT-A ATS condition who are insufficient responders will be randomized a second time to the addition of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or more intensive IPT-A (delivered twice per week). Research assessments will be administered at baseline and at weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, and 36.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Meet DSM-V criteria for a primary diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, or Depressive Disorder NEC
• Current significant depressive symptoms (based on Children's Depression Rating Scale - Revised [CDRS-R])
• Current impairment in psychosocial functioning (based on Children's Global Assessment Scale [CGAS])

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non English-speaking
• Meet DSM-V criteria for bipolar disorder, psychosis, anorexia nervosa, substance use disorder, autism spectrum disorder, or intellectual disability disorder.
• Adolescents who are actively suicidal with a plan and/or intent who are assessed to need a higher level of care than outpatient treatment due to safety risk will be referred for appropriate level of stabilization. Once stabilized, the adolescent can be re-evaluated for eligibility to participate in the study.
• Currently taking medication for a psychiatric diagnosis other than ADHD