DynAMo: A Modular Platform for Monitoring Process, Outcome, and Algorithm-Based Treatment Planning in Psychotherapy.

Tim Kaiser,Anton Rupert Laireiter

doi:10.2196/medinform.6808

Abstract

BackgroundIn recent years, the assessment of mental disorders has become more and more personalized. Modern advancements such as Internet-enabled mobile phones and increased computing capacity make it possible to tap sources of information that have long been unavailable to mental health practitioners.ObjectiveSoftware packages that combine algorithm-based treatment planning, process monitoring, and outcome monitoring are scarce. The objective of this study was to assess whether the DynAMo Web application can fill this gap by providing a software solution that can be used by both researchers to conduct state-of-the-art psychotherapy process research and clinicians to plan treatments and monitor psychotherapeutic processes.MethodsIn this paper, we report on the current state of a Web application that can be used for assessing the temporal structure of mental disorders using information on their temporal and synchronous associations. A treatment planning algorithm automatically interprets the data and delivers priority scores of symptoms to practitioners. The application is also capable of monitoring psychotherapeutic processes during therapy and of monitoring treatment outcomes. This application was developed using the R programming language (R Core Team, Vienna) and the Shiny Web application framework (RStudio, Inc, Boston). It is made entirely from open-source software packages and thus is easily extensible.ResultsThe capabilities of the proposed application are demonstrated. Case illustrations are provided to exemplify its usefulness in clinical practice.ConclusionsWith the broad availability of Internet-enabled mobile phones and similar devices, collecting data on psychopathology and psychotherapeutic processes has become easier than ever. The proposed application is a valuable tool for capturing, processing, and visualizing these data. The combination of dynamic assessment and process- and outcome monitoring has the potential to improve the efficacy and effectiveness of psychotherapy.

Highlights

One of the major strategic objectives of the National Institute of Mental Health is to develop ways to tailor existing and new interventions to optimize outcomes and to foster personalized interventions and strategies for sequencing or combining existing and novel interventions [1]
In this paper, we report on the current state of a Web application that can be used for assessing the temporal structure of mental disorders using information on their temporal and synchronous associations
Case illustrations are provided to exemplify its usefulness in clinical practice

Summary

Introduction

Background One of the major strategic objectives of the National Institute of Mental Health is to develop ways to tailor existing and new interventions to optimize outcomes and to foster personalized interventions and strategies for sequencing or combining existing and novel interventions [1]. This can be accomplished by monitoring individual trajectories of change instead of assuming similar treatment responses for every patient. Modern advancements such as Internet-enabled mobile phones and increased computing capacity make it possible to tap sources of information that have long been unavailable to mental health practitioners

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion