Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS)

NCT ID: NCT00006286

Last Updated: 2014-04-17

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

PHASE3

Total Enrollment

432 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

1998-09-30

Study Completion Date

2004-03-31

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

TADS is designed to compare the effectiveness of established treatments for teenagers suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD). The treatments are: psychotherapy ("talking therapy"); medication; and the combination of psychotherapy and medication. Altogether, 432 teenagers (both males and females) ages 12 to 17, will take part in this study at 12 sites in the United States.

The TADS design will provide answers to the following questions: What is the long-term effectiveness of medication treatment of teenagers who have major depression? What is the long-term effectiveness of a specific psychotherapy ("talking therapy) in the treatment of teenagers who have major depression? How does medication treatment compare with psychotherapy in terms of effectiveness, tolerability and teenager and family acceptance? And, What is the cost-effectiveness of medication, psychotherapy and combined treatments?

The medication being used in this study is called fluoxetine. Fluoxetine is also known as Prozac. Research has shown that medications like Prozac help depression in young persons. Fluoxetine has been approved by the FDA for use in the treatment of child and adolescent (ages 7 to 17 years) depression.

The psychotherapy or "talking therapy" being used in this study is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is a talking therapy that will teach both the teenager and his or her family member (e.g., parent) new skills to cope better with depression. Specific topics include education about depression and the causes of depression, setting goals, monitoring mood, increasing pleasant activities, social problem-solving, correcting negative thinking, negotiation, compromise and assertiveness. CBT sessions may also help with resolving disagreements as they affect families.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

TADS is a randomized controlled clinical trial that will compare the effectiveness of established treatments---cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, medication management, and their combination---for adolescents suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD).

The experimental design consists of three treatment stages and a follow-up phase. Stage I (12 weeks) is a four-group randomized comparison of four treatments: antidepressant medication alone (Fluoxetine); psychotherapy alone (CBT); a combination of the medication and psychotherapy (Comb); and a placebo control medication condition (Pbo). Stage II (six weeks) is a treatment consolidation phase in which we ask whether longer treatment in responders and higher intensity treatment in partial responders to their Stage I treatment would be helpful. Non-responders at the end of Stage I will be referred to open community treatment, or for ethical and practical reasons in the case of non-responders to Placebo, to open treatment of their choice with one of the three active study treatments administered by the study team. Responders at the end of Stage I advance to 6 weeks of maintenance treatment in their assigned arm. Partial responders to CBT receive an additional 6 weeks of CBT in their assigned arm; partial responders to Fluoxetine may receive a higher dose for six weeks. Partial responders to the Comb treatment will receive an additional 6 weeks of CBT and may receive a higher dose of medication for six weeks. Stage III (18 weeks) is a treatment maintenance phase for those teenagers who have continued to respond well. Treatment will be continued and progress will be monitored. Stage IV (one year) is an assessment-only follow-up phase to help us understand the long-term benefits of the treatments.

The recruitment strategy is designed to enter into treatment a volunteer clinical sample of 432 teenagers, both males and females, ages 12 to 17, at ten sites. A multiple gating procedure will be used in which patients will be screened, assessed for study eligibility, and if eligible, consented before randomization to one of the four treatment groups. Patients will be selected without regard to race, gender, or ethnicity and it is expected that the sample will match patients seen in general clinical practice. Patients will be recruited from multiple sources including: mental health identified children, i.e., children already coming to a clinic; primary care identified children (pediatric and family physicians); teacher or school identified children (i.e., school refers through the parents or primary caretaker); and families who self-refer.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Major Depressive Disorder Depression

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Fluoxetine

Intervention Type DRUG

Psychotherapy

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Primary diagnosis DSM-IV of Major Depressive Disorder, pervasive and stable; Children's Depression Rating Scale-R total score at least 45; Ages 12-17 inclusive; Grade in school: 6-12; Full-Scale IQ at least 80; Medication-free before start of study; Outpatient; Parent (or family member) involvement

Exclusion Criteria

* Bipolar disorder; Severe Conduct Disorder; Substance Use/Abuse/Dependence; Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Thought Disorder; Suicidality or homicidality; Concurrent treatment with psychotropic drug (stable stimulant for ADHD permitted) or psychotherapy outside study; Two previous failed SSRI trials or a failed trial of CBT for depression; Intolerance to fluoxetine; Non-English speaking patient; Pregnancy or breastfeeding; No phone in home; Lack of parent or family member)involvement.
Minimum Eligible Age

12 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

17 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

NIH

Sponsor Role lead

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

John March

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Duke University

Anne Marie Albano

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

NYU Langone Health

David Rosenberg, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Wayne State Univ

Charles Casat

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Carolinas Medical Center-Randlolph

Graham Emslie

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Texas Soutwestern

Christopher Kratochvil

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Nebraska

Paul Rohde and Anne Simons

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Oregon

John Walkup

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Johns Hopkins University

Elizabeth Weller

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Bruce Waslick

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

New York State Psychiatric Inst

Mark Reinecke

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Northwestern University

Elizabeth Cottingham, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati

Norah Feeny, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Case Western Reserve University

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Northwestern University

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Site Status

Johns Hopkins Hospital

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Site Status

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan, United States

Site Status

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

Site Status

New York University Medical Center

New York, New York, United States

Site Status

New York State Psychiatric Institute

New York, New York, United States

Site Status

Behavioral Health Center

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Site Status

Children's Hospital Medical Center

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Site Status

Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Site Status

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon, United States

Site Status

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Site Status

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

Dallas, Texas, United States

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

United States

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Glass RM. Treatment of adolescents with major depression: contributions of a major trial. JAMA. 2004 Aug 18;292(7):861-3. doi: 10.1001/jama.292.7.861. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15316001 (View on PubMed)

Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study Team. Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS): rationale, design, and methods. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2003 May;42(5):531-42. doi: 10.1097/01.CHI.0000046839.90931.0D.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 12707557 (View on PubMed)

March J, Silva S, Petrycki S, Curry J, Wells K, Fairbank J, Burns B, Domino M, McNulty S, Vitiello B, Severe J; Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS) Team. Fluoxetine, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and their combination for adolescents with depression: Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS) randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2004 Aug 18;292(7):807-20. doi: 10.1001/jama.292.7.807.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 15315995 (View on PubMed)

Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS) Team. The Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS): demographic and clinical characteristics. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2005 Jan;44(1):28-40. doi: 10.1097/01.chi.0000145807.09027.82.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 15608541 (View on PubMed)

March J, Silva S, Vitiello B; TADS Team. The Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS): methods and message at 12 weeks. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2006 Dec;45(12):1393-403. doi: 10.1097/01.chi.0000237709.35637.c0.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 17135984 (View on PubMed)

Emslie G, Kratochvil C, Vitiello B, Silva S, Mayes T, McNulty S, Weller E, Waslick B, Casat C, Walkup J, Pathak S, Rohde P, Posner K, March J; Columbia Suicidality Classification Group; TADS Team. Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS): safety results. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2006 Dec;45(12):1440-55. doi: 10.1097/01.chi.0000240840.63737.1d.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 17135989 (View on PubMed)

Curry J, Rohde P, Simons A, Silva S, Vitiello B, Kratochvil C, Reinecke M, Feeny N, Wells K, Pathak S, Weller E, Rosenberg D, Kennard B, Robins M, Ginsburg G, March J; TADS Team. Predictors and moderators of acute outcome in the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS). J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2006 Dec;45(12):1427-39. doi: 10.1097/01.chi.0000240838.78984.e2.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 17135988 (View on PubMed)

Kratochvil C, Emslie G, Silva S, McNulty S, Walkup J, Curry J, Reinecke M, Vitiello B, Rohde P, Feeny N, Casat C, Pathak S, Weller E, May D, Mayes T, Robins M, March J; TADS Team. Acute time to response in the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS). J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2006 Dec;45(12):1412-8. doi: 10.1097/01.chi.0000237710.73755.14.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 17135986 (View on PubMed)

Kennard B, Silva S, Vitiello B, Curry J, Kratochvil C, Simons A, Hughes J, Feeny N, Weller E, Sweeney M, Reinecke M, Pathak S, Ginsburg G, Emslie G, March J; TADS Team. Remission and residual symptoms after short-term treatment in the Treatment of Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS). J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2006 Dec;45(12):1404-11. doi: 10.1097/01.chi.0000242228.75516.21.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 17135985 (View on PubMed)

Vitiello B, Rohde P, Silva S, Wells K, Casat C, Waslick B, Simons A, Reinecke M, Weller E, Kratochvil C, Walkup J, Pathak S, Robins M, March J; TADS Team. Functioning and quality of life in the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS). J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2006 Dec;45(12):1419-26. doi: 10.1097/01.chi.0000242229.52646.6e.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 17135987 (View on PubMed)

March JS, Silva S, Petrycki S, Curry J, Wells K, Fairbank J, Burns B, Domino M, McNulty S, Vitiello B, Severe J. The Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS): long-term effectiveness and safety outcomes. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2007 Oct;64(10):1132-43. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.64.10.1132.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 17909125 (View on PubMed)

Herman KC, Ostrander R, Walkup JT, Silva SG, March JS. Empirically derived subtypes of adolescent depression: latent profile analysis of co-occurring symptoms in the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS). J Consult Clin Psychol. 2007 Oct;75(5):716-28. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.75.5.716.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 17907854 (View on PubMed)

Jureidini J, Moncrieff J, Klau J, Aboustate N, Raven M. Treatment guesses in the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study: Accuracy, unblinding and influence on outcomes. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2024 Apr;58(4):355-364. doi: 10.1177/00048674231218623. Epub 2023 Dec 21.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 38126083 (View on PubMed)

Baumgartner N, Foster S, Emery S, Berger G, Walitza S, Haberling I. How Are Discrepant Parent-Child Reports Integrated? A Case of Depressed Adolescents. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2021 May;31(4):279-287. doi: 10.1089/cap.2020.0116. Epub 2020 Dec 29.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 33373537 (View on PubMed)

Wang B, Ogburn EL, Rosenblum M. Analysis of covariance in randomized trials: More precision and valid confidence intervals, without model assumptions. Biometrics. 2019 Dec;75(4):1391-1400. doi: 10.1111/biom.13062. Epub 2019 Jun 3.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 31009064 (View on PubMed)

Foster S, Mohler-Kuo M, Tay L, Hothorn T, Seibold H. Estimating patient-specific treatment advantages in the 'Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study'. J Psychiatr Res. 2019 May;112:61-70. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.02.021. Epub 2019 Feb 28.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 30856378 (View on PubMed)

Scott K, Lewis CC, Marti CN. Trajectories of Symptom Change in the Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2019 Mar;58(3):319-328. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2018.07.908. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 30768414 (View on PubMed)

Foster S, Mohler-Kuo M. Treating a broader range of depressed adolescents with combined therapy. J Affect Disord. 2018 Dec 1;241:417-424. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.08.027. Epub 2018 Aug 12.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 30145512 (View on PubMed)

Lewis CC, Simons AD, Nguyen LJ, Murakami JL, Reid MW, Silva SG, March JS. Impact of childhood trauma on treatment outcome in the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS). J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2010 Feb;49(2):132-40. doi: 10.1097/00004583-201002000-00007.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 20215935 (View on PubMed)

Kratochvil CJ, May DE, Silva SG, Madaan V, Puumala SE, Curry JF, Walkup J, Kepley H, Vitiello B, March JS. Treatment response in depressed adolescents with and without co-morbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2009 Oct;19(5):519-27. doi: 10.1089/cap.2008.0143.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 19877976 (View on PubMed)

Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS) Team; March J, Silva S, Curry J, Wells K, Fairbank J, Burns B, Domino M, Vitiello B, Severe J, Riedal K, Goldman M, Feeny N, Findling R, Stull S, Baab S, Weller EB, Robbins M, Weller RA, Jessani N, Waslick B, Sweeney M, Dublin R, Walkup J, Ginsburg G, Kastelic E, Koo H, Kratochvil C, May D, LaGrone R, Vaughan B, Albano AM, Hirsch GS, Podniesinki E, Chu A, Reincecke M, Leventhal B, Rogers G, Jacobs R, Pathak S, Wells J, Lavanier SA, Danielyan A, Rohde P, Simons A, Grimm J, Frank S, Emslie G, Kennard B, Hughes C, Mayes TL, Rosenberg D, Benazon N, Butkus M, Bartoi M. The Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS): outcomes over 1 year of naturalistic follow-up. Am J Psychiatry. 2009 Oct;166(10):1141-9. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2009.08111620. Epub 2009 Sep 1.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 19723787 (View on PubMed)

Domino ME, Foster EM, Vitiello B, Kratochvil CJ, Burns BJ, Silva SG, Reinecke MA, March JS. Relative cost-effectiveness of treatments for adolescent depression: 36-week results from the TADS randomized trial. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2009 Jul;48(7):711-720. doi: 10.1097/CHI.0b013e3181a2b319.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 19465880 (View on PubMed)

Rohde P, Silva SG, Tonev ST, Kennard BD, Vitiello B, Kratochvil CJ, Reinecke MA, Curry JF, Simons AD, March JS. Achievement and maintenance of sustained response during the Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study continuation and maintenance therapy. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008 Apr;65(4):447-55. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.65.4.447.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 18391133 (View on PubMed)

Vitiello B, Kratochvil CJ, Silva S, Curry J, Reinecke M, Pathak S, Waslick B, Hughes CW, Prentice ED, May DE, March JS. Research knowledge among the participants in the Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS). J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2007 Dec;46(12):1642-50. doi: 10.1097/chi.0b013e318153f8c7.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 18030086 (View on PubMed)

May DE, Kratochvil CJ, Puumala SE, Silva SG, Rezac AJ, Hallin MJ, Reinecke MA, Vitiello B, Weller EB, Pathak S, Simons AD, March JS. A manual-based intervention to address clinical crises and retain patients in the Treatment of Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS). J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2007 May;46(5):573-581. doi: 10.1097/chi.0b013e3180323342.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 17450048 (View on PubMed)

Related Links

Access external resources that provide additional context or updates about the study.

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

DSIR CT

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: secondary_id

N01 MH80008

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.

Behavioral Activation With Depressed Adolescents
NCT01137149 UNKNOWN PHASE1/PHASE2
Teen Depression Awareness Project (TDAP)
NCT00099827 COMPLETED PHASE1
Study of Adolescence and Depression
NCT00523081 COMPLETED PHASE3
Better Sleep Study
NCT06139861 RECRUITING NA
Middle School Matters Study
NCT01220635 COMPLETED NA