A randomized, controlled pilot trial of the Emotional Faces Memory Task: a digital therapeutic for depression
Open accessAbstract
There is an urgent need for more effective treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD). Digital therapeutics, such as computerized cognitive–emotional training interventions, represent a promising new strategy for treating MDD. Here we report a replication of efficacy of a digital cognitive–emotional training intervention designed to enhance cognitive control for emotional information-processing. In a randomized, double-blind, controlled study design, 51 participants with MDD in a current major depressive episode were randomly assigned to participate in a digital cognitive–emotional training regimen (Emotional Faces Memory Task (EFMT); n = 28) involving 18 sessions over 6 weeks, or an active control condition (CT; n = 23) involving computerized working memory training. MDD symptoms were assessed weekly using a clinician-rated measure (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale; Ham-D); and neurocognition (working memory), at baseline and study outcome. Mixed-effects model for repeated measures (MMRM) analysis of all participants randomized revealed a significantly greater reduction in MDD symptom severity (Ham-D) from baseline to outcome in the EFMT group (8.65 points) compared to the CT group (4.77 points) (F(6,205) = 3.23, p = .005, d = 0.46). Ten of 28 EFMT participants achieved clinical response (≥50% reduction in symptoms) compared to 4 of 23 in CT. Both groups exhibited similar, small improvements in working memory. This replicated the preliminary efficacy of a digital cognitive–emotional training approach for the treatment of MDD. EFMT may be a feasible and effective intervention strategy for MDD, but future studies to elucidate its mechanism of action are warranted. This study is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT: 01934491).
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Both the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association practice guidelines recommend that HCPs consider appropriate treatments (including both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapy options) for preventing relapse in patients with depression who have achieved remission.
“Both the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association practice guidelines recommend that HCPs consider appropriate treatments (including both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapy options) for preventing relapse in patients with depression who have achieved remission.45,46”
From Digital health technologies and major depressive disorder (2023) · cites this paper as [46]
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- Authors
- Iacoviello, B. M., Murrough, J. W., Hoch, M. M., Huryk, K. M., Collins, K. A., Cutter, G. R., Iosifescu, D. V., & Charney, D. S.
- Affiliations
- Click Therapeutics, Inc. (United States) (US)
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (US)
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (US)
- Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research (US)
- Corresponding author
- Iacoviello, Brian M.
- ORCID
- Venue
- npj Digital Medicine
- Published
- 2018-06-06
- Volume
- 1
- Issue
- 1
- ISSN
- 2398-6352 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC6404739
- OpenAlex
- W2807399715
- Cited by
- 40
- References
- 18
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 3 · 2019: 3
- FWCI
- 1.89
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- npj Digital Medicine (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (5k23mh099223-02)
- National Institute of Mental Health (5K23MH099223, K23 MH099223)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
- Keywords
- major depressive disorder, digital therapeutics, cognitive control, emotional processing, working memory training, depression severity, replication
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