Pilot randomised controlled trial of Help4Mood, an embodied virtual agent-based system to support treatment of depression

Abstract

Help4Mood is acceptable to some patients receiving treatment for depression although none used it as regularly as intended. Changes in depression symptoms in individuals who used the system regularly reached potentially meaningful levels.

Digital technology for treating and preventing mental disorders in low-income and middle-income countries: a narrative review of the literature

“…We found 13 studies 32–45 that used SMS text-messaging, online programmes, and telephone coaching to reach individuals with mental disorders outside clinical encounters, promote treatment or medication adherence, and provide ongoing encouragement and targeted psychosocial support (table 3). SMS text-message reminders were effective for promoting attendance at clinical appointments in people with serious mental illness, as shown in randomised controlled trials from Niger 32 and Nigeria.…”

“…43 In a study from South Africa, 44 weekly telephone lifestyle coaching sessions were effective for reducing antipsychotic-induced weight gain in individuals with serious mental illness. A pilot study 45 that recruited participants mainly from Romania, and from high-income countries including Spain and Scotland, showed that a computer application could support depression treatment between clinical appointments through mood self-monitoring and cognitive behavioural therapy exercises. This study also highlights the benefits of collaboration between high-income and low-income settings.…”

Three Questions to Consider Before Applying Ecological Momentary Interventions (EMI) in Psychiatry

“…In the ideal case, the control group receives a non-potent treatment that otherwise is identical to the experimental group. Regarding EMI applications, most RCT studies compared experimental groups that receive EMI treatment [usually combined with "therapy as usual [TAU]" or at least weekly face-to-face feedback (14)] and control groups that only receive TAU (15,16).…”

Development and feasibility testing of an avatar‐based education application for patients with acute coronary syndrome

“…The use of avatars is a novel and effective "face-to-face" patient-centred teaching style (Bickmore, Schulman, & Sidner, 2013). Avatar-based education interventions have been reported to improve patients' knowledge and behaviour in relation to heart failure (Clark et al, 2015), diabetic mellitus (Fuchslocher, Niesenhaus, & Kr€ amer, 2011), mental health (Burton et al, 2016;Pinto, Hickman, Clochesy, & Buchner, 2013) and obesity (Napolitano et al, 2013). The use of avatar-based technologies in patient education is growing; however, few have been designed with the involvement of consumers or been rigorously evaluated (Clark et al, 2015;Fredericks et al, 2013).…”