Reduction of Depression Through Dual Treatment: Digital CBT & NBHWC Coaching

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.