Abstract
BackgroundThere has been a lack of technological innovation regarding improving the delivery of integrative psychotherapies. This project sought to evaluate an app designed to replace previous paper-based methods supporting relational awareness and change during cognitive analytic therapy (CAT).ObjectiveWe aimed to assess patients’ and therapists’ experience of using the technology (ie, the “CAT-App”) and to evaluate the relationship between app usage and clinical outcome.MethodsThe design was a mixed methods case series. Patients completed the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure pre- and post-CAT. Mood data plus the frequency and effectiveness of relational awareness and change were collected via the app. Therapists and patients were interviewed about their experiences using the app.ResultsTen patients (treated by 3 therapists) were enrolled; seven completed treatment and 4 had a reliable improvement in their mental health. App usage and mood change did not differ according to clinical outcome, but there was a statistically significant difference in app usage between completers and dropouts. The qualitative themes described by the therapists were (1) the challenge of incorporating the technology into their clinical practice and (2) the barriers and benefits of the technology. Clients’ themes were (1) data protection, (2) motivation and engagement, and (3) restrictions versus flexibility.ConclusionsThe CAT-App is capable of supporting relational awareness and change and is an upgrade on older, paper-based formats. Further clinical evaluation is required.
Highlights
Mental health disorders are the single largest cause of health-related economic burden worldwide [1], and, globally, there is mounting pressure on health care providers to ensure rapid access to effective, evidence-based, organizationally efficient, and cost-effective psychological interventions
The first section presents the quantitative results in terms of describing the sample, dropout rate, target problem and target problem procedure recognition and revision ratings, the clinical outcomes, and relationship between app usage and both clinical outcome and mood change over treatment time
In terms of the associated target problem procedures, 12 were traps, 6 were dilemmas, and 2 were snags. These were described in their original individual long form on the cognitive analytic therapy (CAT)-App
Summary
Mental health disorders are the single largest cause of health-related economic burden worldwide [1], and, globally, there is mounting pressure on health care providers to ensure rapid access to effective, evidence-based, organizationally efficient, and cost-effective psychological interventions. Electronic mental health services are defined by the provision of digital interventions via mobile apps/tablets and online, web-based programs [5], with interventions either being delivered as standalone technologies or being integrated into face-to-face therapy [6]. There has been a lack of technological innovation regarding improving the delivery of integrative psychotherapies This project sought to evaluate an app designed to replace previous paper-based methods supporting relational awareness and change during cognitive analytic therapy (CAT). Mood data plus the frequency and effectiveness of relational awareness and change were collected via the app. Results: Ten patients (treated by 3 therapists) were enrolled; seven completed treatment and 4 had a reliable improvement in their mental health. Conclusions: The CAT-App is capable of supporting relational awareness and change and is an upgrade on older, paper-based formats.
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