Reduction of Depression in People With Disabilities Through Dual Treatment: Digital CBT & NBHWC Coaching

Reduction of Depression Through Dual Mental Health Treatment: Digital-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) Mental Health Coaches for People With Disabilities (ReDu)

The purpose of this study is to see if a mobile-delivered mental health program called Toivoa-002, which combines digital cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with personal coaching, can effectively reduce depression in adults with hearing or mobility disabilities. The study aims to answer whether this dual-intervention digital service is more effective at lowering depression symptoms over an 8-week period than a "sham" digital program that is developed to look similar but does not contain active therapeutic content. The investigators hypothesize that participants who use the Toivoa-002 program will show significantly greater reductions in depression compared to those using the sham program, and that these mental health benefits will last through a 12-week follow-up. Adults within the disability community frequently encounter unique environmental and societal barriers - such as limited physical accessibility, transportation challenges, and workplace inflexibility - that can directly drive or worsen depression. By offering a fully remote and accessible mobile tool, this study seeks to determine if a digital health service can deliver scalable, effective depression relief tailored to the lived experiences of people with disabilities.

This pivotal, two-arm randomized clinical trial (RCT) will assess the efficacy of Toivoa-002, a mobile-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program tailored for people with disabilities, combined with National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC)-certified coaching, in reducing depression symptoms compared to a sham digital program.

Recruitment will focus on adults with hearing or mobility disabilities, chosen to represent the broader U.S. disability community due to shared barriers to social participation, high prevalence of depression, and common co-morbidities. Depression in these populations often stems from environmental and societal barriers, such as limited accessibility, transportation challenges, and workplace inflexibility, rather than the medical condition alone.

Participants will be randomized to either intervention or control group.

The primary endpoint is change in evaluator-administered Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) from baseline to Week 8. Secondary endpoints include durability of effect at Week 12, Clinical Global Impression of Improvement (CGI-I) at Weeks 8 and 12, and proportion achieving a clinically meaningful response. Exploratory endpoints assess changes in anxiety (HAM-A) and self-reported depression (PHQ-9) at Week 8.

Assessments will be conducted at baseline, mid-treatment, end of treatment (Week 8), and follow-up (Week 12). Self-report measures (PHQ-9, GAD-7) will be collected at baseline and biweekly during the intervention.

Recruitment will occur at up to 10 geographically dispersed U.S. sites, including Veterans Affairs healthcare facilities and academic institutions, using outreach through specialty clinics, events, and online platforms. The trial aims to enroll a diverse participant population without restrictions on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.

The study is designed to generate evidence on the effectiveness and durability of a dual-intervention approach, digital CBT plus coaching, for depression reduction in people with disabilities, with potential implications for scalable, accessible mental health care delivery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
• Presence of self-reported hearing or mobility disability
• Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and lifestyle considerations and availability for the duration of the study
• Male or female, age 22 years or older
• A score of 17 or higher on the HAM-D
• Clinical diagnosis of depression based on DSM-5 diagnostic criteria
• Willingness to adhere to the Toivoa-002 or sham regimen once per week, including scheduling and weekly meetings with coaches
• Access to necessary resources for participating in a technology-based intervention (e.g., Android phone, iPhone, iPad, internet access)
• Treatment stability (no changes in psychotropic medication or psychotherapy treatment in the 30 days prior to study entry)
• Able to read and speak English fluently
• Resident of the United States and living in the United States for the duration of the trial

Exclusion Criteria:

• Medical diagnosis of psychotic disorder or bipolar disorder
• Participation in another treatment trial at the time of study
• Substance use disorder in the past 12 months (excluding tobacco)
• Suicide attempt in the past year or elevated suicide risk other than passive ideation (i.e., endorsing items reflecting intent, identifying means, suicide planning, or suicide-related preparations).
• Currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the treatment period