A randomized controlled trial on a smartphone self-help application (Be Good to Yourself) to reduce depressive symptoms

Abstract

Depressive symptoms are common, yet only a subset of individuals receives adequate treatment. To reduce the treatment gap, several online self-help programs have been developed, yielding small to moderate effects. We developed a self-help application for mobile devices addressing depressive symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate its feasibility and efficacy in a sample of participants reporting a subjective need for help (a diagnosis of depression was not mandatory). We conducted a randomized-controlled trial (N = 90). The primary outcome was a reduction of depressive symptoms measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Secondary outcomes included improved self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale) and quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF). The intervention group obtained access to the application for four weeks, the wait-list group received access after the post assessment. No group differences emerged in either outcome in intention-to-treat analyses. Per protocol analyses with frequent users (i.e., several times a week or more) yielded a significant moderate effect on the reduction of depressive symptoms in favor of the treatment group. However, 39% of the participants did not use the application frequently.Mobile self-help applications represent a promising addition to existing treatments, but it is important to increase patients' motivation to use them.

Can metacognitive interventions improve insight in schizophrenia spectrum disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Second, it could be argued that the impact of MCT on self-certainty, which was supported by a significant small effect size at post-treatment but not at follow-up, may require maintenance MCT sessions. In this regard, a MCT-based smartphone application has recently become available (), which showed promising results in terms of feasibility and efficacy for depressive symptoms (Lüdtke, Pult, Schröder, Moritz, & Bücker, 2018). In addition, the extent to which this cognitive insight improvement results in better clinical insight and outcomes in the longer-term, which is what really matters since SSD tend to be chronic, remains to be established.…”

Internet Cognitive Behavioral Therapy With or Without Face-to-Face Psychotherapy: A 12-Weeks Clinical Trial of Patients With Depression

“…Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most widely available and best evident psychotherapy to treat patients with depression (2,41). Yet, approximately half of patients do not have access to treatment because of unawareness of the disease, lacking capacities of psychotherapists, or the persisting stigma of mental health disorders (10,(12)(13)(14). Thus, a large body of internetbased therapies is available.…”

“…Depression is similarly prevalent in high-vs. middle-and low-income countries indicating that causes go far beyond modern lifestyle and poverty (2,7,8). Nevertheless, a remarkable number of patients remain undiagnosed (9)(10)(11), and almost half remain untreated (12,13). Reasons for not seeking professional help are unawareness with failure of recognizing depressive symptoms, the limited capacities of therapists, and the persisting tenacious stigma of mental disorders (10,(12)(13)(14).…”

“…Nevertheless, a remarkable number of patients remain undiagnosed (9)(10)(11), and almost half remain untreated (12,13). Reasons for not seeking professional help are unawareness with failure of recognizing depressive symptoms, the limited capacities of therapists, and the persisting tenacious stigma of mental disorders (10,(12)(13)(14). This treatment gap is especially relevant in the young, thereby increasing the risk of progression in terms of recurrence and aggravation of episodes in adulthood, and endures despite the large body of effective nonpharmacological and pharmacological treatment (10,(15)(16)(17).…”

Analysis and Development of a Platform for Generating Context-Aware Apps for Mental Health

“…According to the latest US annual survey, there is an estimated 12-month mental disorder prevalence of 18.3% among adults (4.2% for serious mental illness). Studies on leveraging mobile technology to meet these challenges, i.e., in the form of mobile mental health interventions, have reported promising mental health outcomes [40][41][42], large acceptance rates by patients [43], and increased sustainability and preservation of treatment effects [44]. Nevertheless, we find that the possibilities of current smartphone technology have only just been tapped, and further research 20 2.2.…”