Exploring engagement with the CBT-informed Actissist smartphone application for early psychosis

Emily Eisner, Natalie Berry, Rohan Morris, Richard Emsley, Gillian Haddock, Matthew Machin, Lamiece Hassan, Sandra Bucci*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Individuals with psychosis report favourable attitudes towards psychological interventions delivered via smartphone apps. Evidence for acceptability, safety, feasibility and efficacy is promising but in-depth reporting of app engagement in trials is sparse. Aims: To examine how people with psychosis engaged with the cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)-informed Actissist app over a 12-week intervention period, and to examine factors associated with app engagement. Methods: Secondary data from participants in the intervention arm (n = 24) of a proof-of-concept randomised controlled trial of the Actissist app were analysed. The app prompted participants to engage with app-based CBT-informed material in five domains (voices, socialization, cannabis use, paranoia, perceived criticism) at pseudo-random intervals (three notifications per day, six days per week). Participants could self-initiate use any time. App use was financially incentivised. Results: Participants responded to 47% of app notifications. Most app engagements (87%) were app-initiated rather than self-initiated. Participants engaged most with the voices domain, then paranoia. Age and employment status were significantly associated with overall app engagement. Conclusion: Individuals with psychosis engaged well with Actissist, particularly with areas focussing on voice-hearing and paranoia. App-generated reminders successfully prompted app engagement. As financial incentives may have increased app engagement, future studies of non-incentivized engagement in larger samples are needed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)643-654
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Mental Health
Volume32
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Keywords

  • cognitive behavior therapy
  • digital
  • m-health
  • mobile
  • Psychosis
  • schizophrenia

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