Publication: A Pilot Study of a Precision Treatment Trial Comparing Psychotherapy and Antidepressants for Depression in Indian Primary Care Settings

We are excited to announce that OptimizeD has completed and published the Pilot Trial. This study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a precision treatment trial comparing psychotherapy based on behavioral activation (the Healthy Activity Program) with antidepressant medication (fluoxetine) in adults with depression in primary care settings in India. A single-blind, two-arm randomized controlled pilot was conducted with adults aged ≥18 years with moderate to severe depression (PHQ-9 score≥10) from eight primary healthcare centers in Bhopal, India. It was determined that precision mental health is feasible in routine primary care settings, and non-specialists delivered treatments effectively, with 45.2% achieving remission. Symptom variability suggests individual moderators of treatment response. Overall, this pilot demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a precision treatment trial for depression in Indian primary care, identified refinements to optimize procedures for the main trial, and supported the potential to identify the optimal treatment for each patient.