NCT07779707 The Medically Tailored Groceries and Mental Health Study
| NCT ID | NCT07779707 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | University of Massachusetts, Worcester |
| Condition | Depression / Major Depressive Disorder |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 300 participants |
| Start Date | 2026-08-31 |
| Primary Completion | 2029-08-31 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 300 participants in total. It began in 2026-08-31 with a primary completion date of 2029-08-31.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
This randomized controlled trial will test whether providing medically tailored groceries for 6 months can improve depressive symptoms among adults with depression and food insecurity. The intervention under study is a 6-month, medically tailored grocery program provided by the Boston-based non-profit organization, Community Servings. Food boxes are mailed to participants' homes every two weeks and are designed by a registered dietitian nutritionists to support an individuals' health needs. Participants may also attend optional nutritional counseling sessions. In this randomized clinical trial, 300 adults with depression and food insecurity will be assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group will receive medically tailored grocery boxes delivered to their home every two weeks for six months (13 boxes total), along with nutritional counseling support. The comparison group will receive usual medical care plus a $30 monthly grocery gift card for six months to be used to purchase any products of their choice. Participants will be recruited from UMass Memorial Health and health centers associated with Community Care Cooperative (C3) in the greater Worcester area in Massachusetts.The main goal of the study is to determine whether the grocery program reduces symptoms of depression. The study will also examine effects on anxiety, food insecurity, diet quality, and healthcare use.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * A depression diagnosis with active symptoms, defined as having a recent Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) screening of 5+, or no depression diagnosis but a recent PHQ-9 screening of 10+ * Experiencing food insecurity (could be either low or very low food security) * Lives in Central Massachusetts in Worcester County * Receives care at UMass Memorial Health, or receives care at clinics affiliated with Community Care Cooperative (C3) * Can prepare and cook meals independently, or has a family member or caregiver able to prepare food Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant women and women who are within one year postpartum at baseline. Women who become pregnant during trial will be allowed to finish their food programming and study participation. * New depression diagnosis within the past 3 months * Has bipolar depression or bipolar disorder
Contact & Investigator
Kurt Hager, Phd
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
UMass Chan Medical School
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07779707 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Depression / Major Depressive Disorder. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07779707 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07779707 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at Kurt.Hager1@umassmed.edu for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07779707 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Worcester, United States, Worcester, United States, Worcester, United States.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07779707 clinical trial?
NCT07779707 is sponsored by University of Massachusetts, Worcester. The principal investigator is Kurt Hager, Phd at UMass Chan Medical School. The trial plans to enroll 300 participants.
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