Efficacy of a Smartphone App Intervention for Reducing Caregiver Stress: Randomized Controlled Trial
| Autor: | Craig A. Olsson, Delyse Hutchinson, Tanja Capic, Robert A. Cummins, Keriann Little, Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, Sarah Khor, Samantha Teague, Linda Hartley-Clark, Ben Richardson |
|---|---|
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2020 |
| Předmět: |
medicine.medical_specialty
020205 medical informatics Psychological intervention 02 engineering and technology law.invention 03 medical and health sciences Social support 0302 clinical medicine Randomized controlled trial Quality of life law 0202 electrical engineering electronic engineering information engineering medicine Psychology 030212 general & internal medicine mHealth psychological stress caregiver Original Paper mobile phone Family caregivers business.industry medicine.disease BF1-990 Clinical trial Psychiatry and Mental health Physical therapy Caregiver stress business mental health |
| Zdroj: | JMIR Mental Health, Vol 7, Iss 7, p e17541 (2020) JMIR Mental Health |
| ISSN: | 2368-7959 |
| Popis: | Background Caregivers play a pivotal role in maintaining an economically viable health care system, yet they are characterized by low levels of psychological well-being and consistently report unmet needs for psychological support. Mobile app–based (mobile health [mHealth]) interventions present a novel approach to both reducing stress and improving well-being. Objective This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-guided mobile app–based psychological intervention for people providing care to family or friends with a physical or mental disability. Methods In a randomized, single-blind, controlled trial, 183 caregivers recruited through the web were randomly allocated to either an intervention (n=73) or active control (n=110) condition. The intervention app contained treatment modules combining daily self-monitoring with third-wave (mindfulness-based) cognitive-behavioral therapies, whereas the active control app contained only self-monitoring features. Both programs were completed over a 5-week period. It was hypothesized that intervention app exposure would be associated with decreases in depression, anxiety, and stress, and increases in well-being, self-esteem, optimism, primary and secondary control, and social support. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, postintervention, and 3-4 months postintervention. App quality was also assessed. Results In total, 25% (18/73) of the intervention participants were lost to follow-up at 3 months, and 30.9% (34/110) of the participants from the wait-list control group dropped out before the postintervention survey. The intervention group experienced reductions in stress (b=−2.07; P=.04) and depressive symptoms (b=−1.36; P=.05) from baseline to postintervention. These changes were further enhanced from postintervention to follow-up, with the intervention group continuing to report lower levels of depression (b=−1.82; P=.03) and higher levels of emotional well-being (b=6.13; P Conclusions This study demonstrates that mHealth psychological interventions are an effective treatment option for caregivers experiencing high levels of stress. Recommendations for improving mHealth interventions for caregivers include offering flexibility and customization in the treatment design. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12616000996460; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=371170 |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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