Self-guided Psychological Intervention Research Articles

Evaluating the effectiveness of mobile app-based self-guided psychological intervention to reduce craving and lapse risk in problematic substance use and behaviors: Protocol for a randomized control trial in the general population

BackgroundThe prevalence of substance and behavioral addiction is estimated between 10 and 15% of the global population and remains a severe public health concern. Moreover, addiction treatment has several barriers, such as a lack of access to professional treatment or stigmatization. Mobile health interventions emerge as a promising solution. MethodsThis two-armed randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to assess the efficacy of a mobile app-based self-guided psychological intervention delivered via a smartphone app (Nałogometr) in reducing craving and lapse risk in problematic behaviors and substance use compared to a control condition. Participant recruitment and data collection will start in June 2022 and end in September 2022. Due to the nature of the study, i.e., a nationwide study of problematic substance use and behaviors, we will aim to recruit all individuals willing to participate. The four-week intervention condition includes short-term and long-term modules based mainly on mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy. Longitudinal data on several variables related to craving and lapse risk are collected daily using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). The primary outcomes of interest will be the self-reported number of lapses and craving level in daily EMA. Moreover, a questionnaire battery assessment is administered at baseline in the first week following onboarding, after five weeks, and after six months. The secondary outcome measures will include the severity of problematic substance use or behaviors, anxiety and depression, and life satisfaction. ResultsResults will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Clinical trial registration[https://clinicaltrials.gov/], identifier [NCT054 34,429].

Reducing craving and lapse risk in alcohol and stimulants dependence using mobile app involving ecological momentary assessment and self-guided psychological interventions: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

The prevalence of alcohol consumption in Poland is estimated to be as high as 80% of the adult population. The use of stimulants is the second most common reason for seeking addiction treatment. However, treatment outcomes remain unsatisfactory, as 40-85% of individuals who complete various treatment programs relapse and fall back into addiction within 2 years following program completion. The 13-armed randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the effectiveness of a mobile app-based self-guided psychological intervention delivered via a smartphone app (Nałogometr) in reducing craving and lapse risk in problematic alcohol or stimulants use. Participant recruitment and data collection will be performed from June 2022 to September 2022. The 4-week mobile intervention program will include short-term and long-term intervention modules based mainly on mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Intervention effectiveness assessment will include Ecological Momentary Assessment. That is, we will collect longitudinal data on a set of characteristics of day-to-day functioning. The primary outcomes will include a self-reported number of lapses and addiction craving level. In contrast, the secondary outcomes will be the severity of problematic substance use, anxiety and depression scores, and life satisfaction scores. This study will establish how mobile app-based self-guided psychological interventions can help reduce craving and lapse risk in alcohol and stimulant dependence. If successful, this randomized controlled trial (RCT) may provide an innovative, easily available, and cost-effective mHealth approach for craving and lapse risk in substance addictions. [https://clinicaltrials.gov/], identifier [NCT054 34429].

The acceptability of a self-guided psychological intervention for patients with COVID-19 in isolation and quarantine

Background: A significant number of patients not requiring intensive care would experience psychological symptoms and distress. This may necessitate mental health care services which may be not be feasible given the number of patients involved and paucity of mental health care workers. An innovative solution for such a scenario may be in the form of a self-guided psychological intervention. The aim of the study was to test the acceptability of a brief self-guided psychological intervention for patients in quarantine and isolation with COVID-19.Methods: The authors developed a brief, self-guided psychological intervention handout targeted towards reducing psychological distress and enhancing the coping of patients in quarantine and isolation due to COVID-19. This was developed concurrently in English, Hindi and Punjabi languages. This was administered to 60 patients. Assessments were done at baseline and at two weeks.Results: Assessments were completed in 51 patients (21 isolated and 30 quarantined). A majority of the patients in both groups found the intervention to be appropriate in form and content, relevant to the situation, had a positive emotional impact on them, enhanced their understanding of the situation and was perceived as being useful overall. The intervention was found to be highly acceptable.Conclusions: The study demonstrates the acceptability and feasibility of using this intervention in patients in isolation and quarantine due to COVID-19. The intervention lends itself to ease of use and can be scaled up at little cost.

Brief Online Cognitive Behavioural Intervention for Dysfunctional Worry Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Introduction: Worries about the immediate and long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic may for some individuals develop into pervasive worry that is disproportionate in its intensity or duration and significantly interferes with everyday life. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate if a brief self-guided, online psychological intervention can reduce the degree of dysfunctional worry related to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated symptoms. Methods: 670 adults from the Swedish general population reporting daily uncontrollable worry about CO­VID-19 and its possible consequences (e.g., illness, death, the economy, one’s family) were randomised (1:1 ratio) to a 3-week self-guided, online cognitive behavioural intervention targeting dysfunctional COVID-19 worry and associated symptoms, or a waiting list of equal duration. The primary outcome measure was a COVID-19 adapted version of the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale administered at baseline and weeks 1–3 (primary endpoint). Follow-up assessments were conducted 1 month after treatment completion. The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04341922) before inclusion of the first participant. Results: The main pre-specified intention-to-treat analysis indicated significant reductions in COVID-19-related worry for the intervention group compared to the waiting list (β = 1.14, Z = 9.27, p < 0.001), corresponding to a medium effect size (bootstrapped d = 0.74 [95% CI: 0.58–0.90]). Improvements were also seen on all secondary measures, including mood, daily functioning, insomnia, and intolerance of uncertainty. Participant satisfaction was high. No serious adverse events were recorded. Conclusions: A brief digital and easily scalable self-guided psychological intervention can significantly reduce dysfunctional worry and associated behavioural symptoms related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Self-Guided Psychological Treatment for Depressive Symptoms: A Meta-Analysis

BackgroundA number of trials have examined the effects of self-guided psychological intervention, without any contact between the participants and a therapist or coach. The results and sizes of these trials have been mixed. This is the first quantitative meta-analysis, aimed at organizing and evaluating the literature, and estimating effect size.MethodWe conducted systematic literature searches in PubMed, PsycINFO and Embase up to January 2010, and identified additional studies through earlier meta-analyses, and the references of included studies. We identified seven randomized controlled trials that met our inclusion criteria, with a total of 1,362 respondents. The overall quality of the studies was high. A post-hoc power calculation showed that the studies had sufficient statistical power to detect an effect size of d = 0.19.ResultsThe overall mean effect size indicating the difference between self-guided psychological treatment and control groups at post-test was d = 0.28 (p<0.001), which corresponds to a NNT of 6.41. At 4 to 12 months follow-up the effect size was d = 0.23. There was no indication for significant publication bias.ConclusionsWe found evidence that self-guided psychological treatment has a small but significant effect on participants with increased levels of depressive symptomatology.