Blending group-based psychoeducation with a smartphone intervention for the reduction of depressive symptoms: results of a randomized controlled pilot study

Abstract Background Given their ubiquity and technological facilities, smartphone-based interventions (SBIs) hold potential to support the cost-effective dissemination of evidence-based treatments for depression. As technologically enriched, blended approach–avoidance modification trainings (AAMTs)...

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Main Authors: Christian Aljoscha Lukas, Matthias Berking
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2021-02-01
Series:Pilot and Feasibility Studies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-021-00799-y
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spelling doaj-165bcdd6176646988a4ee3ec82ef65aa2021-03-11T11:40:10ZengBMCPilot and Feasibility Studies2055-57842021-02-01711810.1186/s40814-021-00799-yBlending group-based psychoeducation with a smartphone intervention for the reduction of depressive symptoms: results of a randomized controlled pilot studyChristian Aljoscha Lukas0Matthias Berking1Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-UniversityDepartment of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-UniversityAbstract Background Given their ubiquity and technological facilities, smartphone-based interventions (SBIs) hold potential to support the cost-effective dissemination of evidence-based treatments for depression. As technologically enriched, blended approach–avoidance modification trainings (AAMTs) have recently been shown effective for symptom reduction in various mental health problems, we developed a blended SBI combining group-based psychoeducation and 14 days of app training utilizing principles from AAMT to reduce depressive symptoms. Methods In this pilot trial, N = 16 individuals with heightened depression scores were randomized to either an intervention group using the mentalis Phoenix app or a wait list control condition. As outcomes, we descriptively explored usability of the app, engagement with the intervention, and possible reductions of depressive symptoms. Results Data analyses suggest that the SBI tested in this pilot trial possesses high usability, is frequently engaged with, and reduces depressive symptoms in participants in the intervention group when compared to wait list controls. Conclusions This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that an SBI utilizing AAMT can reduce depressive symptoms. Future studies should replicate these findings using larger samples and disentangle possible mechanisms of change. Trial registration DRKS-ID: DRKS00021613 (retrospectively registered).https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-021-00799-yDepressionApproach–avoidanceSmartphoneInterventionPilot study
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Christian Aljoscha Lukas
Matthias Berking
spellingShingle Christian Aljoscha Lukas
Matthias Berking
Blending group-based psychoeducation with a smartphone intervention for the reduction of depressive symptoms: results of a randomized controlled pilot study
Pilot and Feasibility Studies
Depression
Approach–avoidance
Smartphone
Intervention
Pilot study
author_facet Christian Aljoscha Lukas
Matthias Berking
author_sort Christian Aljoscha Lukas
title Blending group-based psychoeducation with a smartphone intervention for the reduction of depressive symptoms: results of a randomized controlled pilot study
title_short Blending group-based psychoeducation with a smartphone intervention for the reduction of depressive symptoms: results of a randomized controlled pilot study
title_full Blending group-based psychoeducation with a smartphone intervention for the reduction of depressive symptoms: results of a randomized controlled pilot study
title_fullStr Blending group-based psychoeducation with a smartphone intervention for the reduction of depressive symptoms: results of a randomized controlled pilot study
title_full_unstemmed Blending group-based psychoeducation with a smartphone intervention for the reduction of depressive symptoms: results of a randomized controlled pilot study
title_sort blending group-based psychoeducation with a smartphone intervention for the reduction of depressive symptoms: results of a randomized controlled pilot study
publisher BMC
series Pilot and Feasibility Studies
issn 2055-5784
publishDate 2021-02-01
description Abstract Background Given their ubiquity and technological facilities, smartphone-based interventions (SBIs) hold potential to support the cost-effective dissemination of evidence-based treatments for depression. As technologically enriched, blended approach–avoidance modification trainings (AAMTs) have recently been shown effective for symptom reduction in various mental health problems, we developed a blended SBI combining group-based psychoeducation and 14 days of app training utilizing principles from AAMT to reduce depressive symptoms. Methods In this pilot trial, N = 16 individuals with heightened depression scores were randomized to either an intervention group using the mentalis Phoenix app or a wait list control condition. As outcomes, we descriptively explored usability of the app, engagement with the intervention, and possible reductions of depressive symptoms. Results Data analyses suggest that the SBI tested in this pilot trial possesses high usability, is frequently engaged with, and reduces depressive symptoms in participants in the intervention group when compared to wait list controls. Conclusions This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that an SBI utilizing AAMT can reduce depressive symptoms. Future studies should replicate these findings using larger samples and disentangle possible mechanisms of change. Trial registration DRKS-ID: DRKS00021613 (retrospectively registered).
topic Depression
Approach–avoidance
Smartphone
Intervention
Pilot study
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-021-00799-y
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