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NCT07827703
Effects of Digital Detox on Mental Health in Young Adults
Conditions: Anxiety Symptoms, Screen Time, Depressive Symptoms
Sex: All
Ages: 18 Years – N/A
Healthy volunteers: No
Phase: NA
Enrollment: 200
Sponsor: University of Bergen
Location: Studentsamskipnaden i Oslo Oslo
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a short, self-guided program for cutting down smartphone screen time can reduce symptoms of depression in young adults. It includes students in Oslo, Norway, who have applied for help at the student mental health service (SiO Mental Health).
The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does a 2-week screen time reduction program reduce symptoms of depression?
* Does it reduce symptoms of anxiety?
* Can a simple, widely available phone app reduce screen time, and does the reduction last?
Researchers will compare students who start the program right away with students who continue their usual care for 2 weeks and receive the same program afterwards. Participants are placed in one of the two groups by chance, like flipping a coin.
Participants will:
* Answer questionnaires about depression and anxiety symptoms at the start and again after 2 weeks
* Upload screenshots of the Screen Time summary on their iPhone at the start, after 2 weeks, and after 12 weeks
* Install an app that blocks the apps they find most distracting and keep it active for 2 weeks, if they are placed in the program group
* Take part entirely online, with no clinic visits and no contact with the study team
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
* Has applied for care at SiO Mental Health, the student mental health service in Oslo, and has received the service's response to the application
* Owns an iPhone (the screen time restriction tool requires iOS)
* Able to understand written Norwegian
* Provides informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
\- None
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07827703). StuddyBuddy aggregates publicly available trial information.