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Saito R, Yoshida K, Sawamura D, Watanabe A, Tokikuni Y, Sakai S. Effects of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Training on Anxiety Reduction and Brain Activity: a Randomized Active-Controlled Study Using EEG. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 2024:10.1007/s10484-024-09650-5. [PMID: 38888656 DOI: 10.1007/s10484-024-09650-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVBF) is a promising anxiety-reducing intervention that increases vagally-mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV) through slow-paced breathing and feedback of heart rhythm. Several studies have reported the anxiety-reducing effects of HRVBF; however, some studies have reported such training as ineffective. Furthermore, the effects of training and underlying brain activity changes remain unclear. This study examined the anxiety-reducing effects of HRVBF training and related brain activity changes by randomly assigning participants, employing an active control group, and measuring anxiety-related attentional bias using the emotional Stroop task and electroencephalography (EEG). Fifty-five healthy students with anxiety were randomly assigned to the HRVBF or control groups, and 21 in the HRVBF group and 19 in the control group were included in the analysis. Both groups performed 10 training sessions of 20 min each within 3 weeks. They were assessed using resting vmHRV, event-related potential (ERP), time-frequency EEG, attentional bias, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-JYZ (STAI-JYZ) before and after training. The results demonstrated increased resting vmHRV in the HRVBF group compared to the control group after training. However, no differences were observed in ERP, time-frequency EEG, attentional bias, and STAI-JYZ. Participants with higher pre-training resting vmHRV achieved higher heart rhythm coherence in HRVBF training and had reduced attentional bias. This study suggests that individuals with higher resting vmHRV are more likely to be proficient in HRVBF training and benefit from its anxiety-reducing effects. The findings contribute to participant selection to benefit from HRVBF training and modification of the training protocols for non-responders.Clinical trial registrationOrganization: University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR), JapanRegistration number: UMIN000047096Registration date: March 6, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryuji Saito
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kazuki Yoshida
- Department of Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Daisuke Sawamura
- Department of Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Akihiro Watanabe
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yukina Tokikuni
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Shinya Sakai
- Department of Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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Wols A, Pingel M, Lichtwarck-Aschoff A, Granic I. Effectiveness of applied and casual games for young people's mental health: A systematic review of randomised controlled studies. Clin Psychol Rev 2024; 108:102396. [PMID: 38320420 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2024.102396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Many youth experience mental health problems and digital games hold potential as mental health interventions. This systematic review provides an overview of randomised controlled studies assessing the effectiveness of digital applied and casual games for improving mental health in youth aged 6-24 years. A systematic search of PsycINFO, Web of Science and Pubmed yielded 145 eligible studies. Studies on (sub)clinical participant samples (n = 75) most often focused on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism and anxiety. Applied games were found most effective for improving social skills, verbal memory and anxiety, whereas casual games were found most effective for improving depression, anxiety and ADHD. Studies involving healthy youth (n = 70) were grouped into papers examining anxiety in medical settings, momentary effects on positive and negative affect, and papers employing a longitudinal design measuring mental health trait outcomes. Promising results were found for the use of games as distraction tools in medical settings, and for applied and casual games for improving momentary affect. Overall, our findings demonstrate the potential of digital games for improving mental health. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed, such as developing evaluation guidelines, clearly defining applied games, harmonising outcome measures, including positive outcomes, and examining nonspecific factors that may influence symptom improvement as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniek Wols
- Radboud University, Behavioural Science Institute, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Michelle Pingel
- Radboud University, Behavioural Science Institute, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Anna Lichtwarck-Aschoff
- Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Department of Pedagogical & Educational Sciences, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Isabela Granic
- McMaster University, Health, Aging & Society, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Schwerdtfeger AR, Rominger C. The cardiac correlates of feeling safe in everyday life: A Bayesian replication study. Int J Psychophysiol 2024; 196:112277. [PMID: 38065411 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2023.112277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Feeling safe and secure has been proposed to dampen autonomic arousal and buffer threat responses. In a previous study, we could show that momentary ratings of subjective safety were associated with elevated heart rate variability (specifically, root mean square of successive differences; RMSSD) and lower heart rate in everyday life, thus suggesting a health-protective role of feeling safe. METHODS This study aimed to replicate this effect in a sample of N = 79 adults, applying Bayesian statistics with prior effects of the original study. RESULTS Using an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) across three days we could replicate the effect of lower heart rate and higher RMSSD in moments when participants felt more safe. In accordance with the original study, we could also show that the effect on heart rate were independent of RMSSD, thus suggesting a contribution of sympathetic activity to this effect. CONCLUSION The findings confirm the connection between momentary feelings of safety and cardiac regulation, thus substantiating research on the health-protective role of psychological safety.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christian Rominger
- Institute of Psychology, Universitaetsplatz 2/III, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Blaser BL, Weymar M, Wendt J. The effect of a single-session heart rate variability biofeedback on attentional control: does stress matter? Front Psychol 2023; 14:1292983. [PMID: 38034309 PMCID: PMC10687403 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1292983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Vagally mediated heart rate variability is an index of autonomic nervous system activity that is associated with a large variety of outcome variables including psychopathology and self-regulation. While practicing heart rate variability biofeedback over several weeks has been reliably associated with a number of positive outcomes, its acute effects are not well known. As the strongest association with vagally mediated heart rate variability has been found particularly within the attention-related subdomain of self-regulation, we investigated the acute effect of heart rate variability biofeedback on attentional control using the revised Attention Network Test. Methods Fifty-six participants were tested in two sessions. In one session each participant received a heart rate variability biofeedback intervention, and in the other session a control intervention of paced breathing at a normal ventilation rate. After the biofeedback or control intervention, participants completed the Attention Network Test using the Orienting Score as a measure of attentional control. Results Mixed models revealed that higher resting baseline vagally mediated heart rate variability was associated with better performance in attentional control, which suggests more efficient direction of attention to target stimuli. There was no significant main effect of the intervention on attentional control. However, an interaction effect indicated better performance in attentional control after biofeedback in individuals who reported higher current stress levels. Discussion The results point to acute beneficial effects of heart rate variability biofeedback on cognitive performance in highly stressed individuals. Although promising, the results need to be replicated in larger or more targeted samples in order to reach stronger conclusions about the effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berenike L. Blaser
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Mathias Weymar
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Julia Wendt
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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Villamil A, Heshmati S. Engaging in the good with technology: a framework for examining positive technology use. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1175740. [PMID: 37649688 PMCID: PMC10463746 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1175740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The focus on the negative side of technology has become a prominent factor in the understanding of the interactions between humans and technology. However, there is a positive side to technology use that has been less investigated in scientific research. Well-being researchers have determined that it is not just the absence of negative emotions or experiences, but rather the presence and frequency of positive ones that matter most. Therefore, despite the scarcity of research on the positive side of technology, the present conceptual paper focuses on how technology may be used for the good to produce psychological benefits (e.g., greater happiness, lower loneliness, higher peer endorsement). Based on existing literature, we posit at least three directions for good interactions with technology: (1) "seeing good" by focusing on positive visual cues through technology use; (2) "feeling good" by focusing on good feelings that arise from technology use; and (3) "doing good" by focusing on positive actions that can be enacted via technology use. Based on the synthesis of these three components, we propose a framework for technology laden engagement in the good, dubbed as, the Engagement in the Good with Technology (EGT) Framework. Through this framework, we explain how these three distinct aspects of seeing, feeling, and doing good can co-occur and be interrelated, and in turn potentially lead to upward spirals of positive outcomes.
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Riepenhausen A, Veer IM, Wackerhagen C, Reppmann ZC, Köber G, Ayuso-Mateos JL, Bögemann SA, Corrao G, Felez-Nobrega M, Abad JMH, Hermans E, van Leeuwen J, Lieb K, Lorant V, Mary-Krause M, Mediavilla R, Melchior M, Mittendorfer-Rutz E, Compagnoni MM, Pan KY, Puhlmann L, Roelofs K, Sijbrandij M, Smith P, Tüscher O, Witteveen A, Zerban M, Kalisch R, Kröger H, Walter H. Coping with COVID: risk and resilience factors for mental health in a German representative panel study. Psychol Med 2023; 53:3897-3907. [PMID: 35301966 PMCID: PMC8943230 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722000563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic might affect mental health. Data from population-representative panel surveys with multiple waves including pre-COVID data investigating risk and protective factors are still rare. METHODS In a stratified random sample of the German household population (n = 6684), we conducted survey-weighted multiple linear regressions to determine the association of various psychological risk and protective factors assessed between 2015 and 2020 with changes in psychological distress [(PD; measured via Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression and Anxiety (PHQ-4)] from pre-pandemic (average of 2016 and 2019) to peri-pandemic (both 2020 and 2021) time points. Control analyses on PD change between two pre-pandemic time points (2016 and 2019) were conducted. Regularized regressions were computed to inform on which factors were statistically most influential in the multicollinear setting. RESULTS PHQ-4 scores in 2020 (M = 2.45) and 2021 (M = 2.21) were elevated compared to 2019 (M = 1.79). Several risk factors (catastrophizing, neuroticism, and asking for instrumental support) and protective factors (perceived stress recovery, positive reappraisal, and optimism) were identified for the peri-pandemic outcomes. Control analyses revealed that in pre-pandemic times, neuroticism and optimism were predominantly related to PD changes. Regularized regression mostly confirmed the results and highlighted perceived stress recovery as most consistent influential protective factor across peri-pandemic outcomes. CONCLUSIONS We identified several psychological risk and protective factors related to PD outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. A comparison of pre-pandemic data stresses the relevance of longitudinal assessments to potentially reconcile contradictory findings. Implications and suggestions for targeted prevention and intervention programs during highly stressful times such as pandemics are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antje Riepenhausen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences - CCM, Research Division of Mind and Brain, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Faculty of Philosophy, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ilya M. Veer
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences - CCM, Research Division of Mind and Brain, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Department of Developmental Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carolin Wackerhagen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences - CCM, Research Division of Mind and Brain, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Zala C. Reppmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences - CCM, Research Division of Mind and Brain, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Göran Köber
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Statistics, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Freiburg Center for Data Analysis and Modelling, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - José Luis Ayuso-Mateos
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS-Princesa), La Princesa University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sophie A. Bögemann
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Giovanni Corrao
- Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- National Centre for Healthcare Research and Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Mireia Felez-Nobrega
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Maria Haro Abad
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Erno Hermans
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Judith van Leeuwen
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Klaus Lieb
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR), Mainz, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Vincent Lorant
- Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Murielle Mary-Krause
- Department of Social Epidemiology, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Roberto Mediavilla
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Melchior
- Department of Social Epidemiology, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Ellenor Mittendorfer-Rutz
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Insurance Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Berzelius väg 3, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matteo Monzio Compagnoni
- Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- National Centre for Healthcare Research and Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Kuan-Yu Pan
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lara Puhlmann
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR), Mainz, Germany
- Research Group Social Stress and Family Health, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Karin Roelofs
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marit Sijbrandij
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute and WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pierre Smith
- Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Department Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Oliver Tüscher
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR), Mainz, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Anke Witteveen
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute and WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Matthias Zerban
- Neuroimaging Center (NIC), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
| | - Raffael Kalisch
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR), Mainz, Germany
- Neuroimaging Center (NIC), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
| | - Hannes Kröger
- Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), Berlin, Germany
- Munich Center for the Economics of Aging (MEA), Max Planck Institute for Social Law and Social Policy, Munich, Germany
| | - Henrik Walter
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences - CCM, Research Division of Mind and Brain, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Faculty of Philosophy, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Son C, Hegde S, Markert C, Zahed K, Sasangohar F. Use of a Mobile Biofeedback Application to Provide Health Coaching for Stress Self-Management: Findings from a Pilot Quasi-Experiment. JMIR Form Res 2023; 7:e41018. [PMID: 36952560 PMCID: PMC10131670 DOI: 10.2196/41018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental health is an increasing concern among vulnerable populations, including college students and veterans. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine if mobile Health (mHealth) technology combined with health coaching can better enable user to self-manage their mental health. METHODS This study evaluated a mobile Biofeedback app that provided health coaching on stress self-management for college student veterans' mental health concerns. Twenty-four college student veterans were recruited from a large public university in Texas during the spring 2020 semester, impacted by COVID-19. Ten participants were assigned to the intervention group where they used the mobile Biofeedback app on their smartphones and smartwatches, and 14 were assigned to the control group without the app; assignment was based on mobile phone compatibility. Both groups participated in one initial lab session where they learned a deep breathing exercise technique. The intervention group was then asked to use the mobile Biofeedback app during their daily lives using the Biofeedback app and smartwatch, and the control group was asked to perform the breathing exercises on their own. Both groups filled out Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) self-assessments at two-week intervals. At the end of the semester, both groups were given an exit interview to provide user experience and perceived benefits of health coaching via the mobile Biofeedback app. RESULTS Deep breathing exercise in the initial lab session reduced stress in both groups. Over the course of the study, the app recorded 565 coached breathing exercises with a significant decrease (approximately 3 beats per minute) in participants' heart rate during the 6-minute time period immediately after conducting the breathing exercises [Spearman's rank correlation coefficient of -0.61 (P<.001 and S=9,816,176)]. There was no significant difference between the two groups for PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores over the course of the semester. Exit interview responses indicate that participants perceived that the mobile Biofeedback app improved their health and helped them address stress challenges. All participants reported that the intervention helped them manage their stress better and expressed that health coaching via a mobile device would improve their overall health. CONCLUSIONS Participants reported a positive perception of the app for their mental health self-management during a stressful semester. Future work should examine long-term effects of the app with a larger sample size balanced between male and female participants, randomized participant allocation, real-time detection of mental health symptoms, and additional features of the app. CLINICALTRIAL
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Affiliation(s)
- Changwon Son
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University, 3131 TAMU, College Station, US
- Texas Tech University, Lubbock, US
| | - Sudeep Hegde
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University, 3131 TAMU, College Station, US
- Clemson University, Clemson, US
| | - Carl Markert
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University, 3131 TAMU, College Station, US
| | - Karim Zahed
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University, 3131 TAMU, College Station, US
| | - Farzan Sasangohar
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University, 3131 TAMU, College Station, US
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Thakare A, Malhotra V, Hulke S, Javed D, Dixit A, Wakode S, Cidral F. Heart rate variability among healthy untrained adults during mild intensity stationary cycling exercise. Adv Biomed Res 2023; 12:55. [PMID: 37057232 PMCID: PMC10086650 DOI: 10.4103/abr.abr_66_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Stationary cycling is the popular, preferred, and convenient form of exercise. During exercise, autonomic modulation is seen which can be assessed by heart rate variability (HRV). The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes in HRV during mild-intensity cycling exercise. Materials and Methods An observational cross-sectional study was done on 20 healthy male volunteers with the age (35.44 ± 4.12), height (71.12 ± 11.98), and weight (161.23 ± 11.65), BMI (27.12 ± 3.49) attending various YOGA sessions in AYUSH OPD. Volunteers underwent an exercise program at the mild intensity of 30% to 50% of maximal heart rate on a stationary cycle for 20 min. HRV was recorded by the HRV mobile unit Dynamika Machine at rest, every 5 min (4×) over 20 min and during the recovery period. Repeated measures of analysis of variance with post-hoc analysis with Bonferroni and Holm's multiple comparisons. Results Significant change was observed in mean heart rate and time domain parameters. Frequency domain parameters that showed significant change were total power, High Frequency- HF (ms2), Very Low Frequency -VLF (ms2), Low Frequency -LF (ms2), and Very Low Frequency %-VLF (%). Conclusions The HRV parameters conclusively point towards cardiac parasympathetic withdrawal and sympathetic dominance at the initiation of exercise. With the progression of exercise, the sympathetic influence is retained. In the recovery period parasympathetic reactivation gains control over heart rate as well as HRV. The HRV response to exercise challenges may be helpful in designing exercise programs based on variations in the autonomic response.
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e-Estesia: A Serious Game for Reducing Arousal, Improving Emotional Regulation and Increasing Wellbeing in Individuals with Gambling Disorder. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11226798. [PMID: 36431275 PMCID: PMC9699009 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11226798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Gambling disorder (GD) is associated with deficits in emotion regulation and impulsivity-related personality traits. In recent years there has been an increase in the use of serious games (SG) to address these factors with positive results. The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy of the intervention with a new SG (e-Estesia), as an adjunct to a CBT intervention for GD. The sample comprised two groups (experimental group (n = 40) and control group (n = 64)) of patients with GD diagnosis. Both groups received 16 weekly CBT sessions and, concurrently, only the experimental group received 15 additional sessions with e-Estesia. Pre-post treatment with e-Estesia administered in both groups were: DSM-5 Criteria, South Oaks Gambling Screen, Symptom Checklist-Revised and measure of relapses, dropout and compliance of treatment. As regards the experimental group were also administered: Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and Impulsive Behavior Scale. No statistically significant differences in the general psychopathological state, emotion regulation or impulsivity were found when comparing the groups. However, patients enrolled in the e-Estesia intervention had significantly less relapses and better indicators of treatment compliance than the control group. Considering these results, the use of complementary tools such as SG are useful for addressing GD.
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Balaskas A, Schueller SM, Cox AL, Doherty G. Understanding users’ perspectives on mobile apps for anxiety management. Front Digit Health 2022; 4:854263. [PMID: 36120712 PMCID: PMC9474730 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2022.854263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental health problem. The potential of apps to improve mental health has led to an increase in the number of anxiety apps available. Even though anxiety apps hold the potential to enhance mental health care for individuals, there is relatively little knowledge concerning users’ perspectives. This mixed-methods study aims to understand the nature of user burden and engagement with mental health apps (MHapps) targeting anxiety management, in order to identify ways to improve the design of these apps. Users’ perspectives on these apps were gathered by analyzing 600 reviews from 5 apps on the app stores (Study 1), and conducting 15 interviews with app users (Study 2). The results shed light on several barriers to adoption and sustained use. Users appreciate apps that offer content variation, customizability, and good interface design, and often requested an enhanced, personalized experience to improve engagement. We propose addressing the specific app quality issues identified through human-centered design, more personalized content delivery, and by improving features for social and therapeutic support.
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Lukic YX, Teepe GW, Fleisch E, Kowatsch T. Breathing as Input Modality in a Gameful Breathing Training App: Development and Evaluation of Breeze 2 (Preprint). JMIR Serious Games 2022; 10:e39186. [PMID: 35972793 PMCID: PMC9428773 DOI: 10.2196/39186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Slow-paced breathing training can have positive effects on physiological and psychological well-being. Unfortunately, use statistics indicate that adherence to breathing training apps is low. Recent work suggests that gameful breathing training may help overcome this challenge. Objective This study aimed to introduce and evaluate the gameful breathing training app Breeze 2 and its novel real-time breathing detection algorithm that enables the interactive components of the app. Methods We developed the breathing detection algorithm by using deep transfer learning to detect inhalation, exhalation, and nonbreathing sounds (including silence). An additional heuristic prolongs detected exhalations to stabilize the algorithm’s predictions. We evaluated Breeze 2 with 30 participants (women: n=14, 47%; age: mean 29.77, SD 7.33 years). Participants performed breathing training with Breeze 2 in 2 sessions with and without headphones. They answered questions regarding user engagement (User Engagement Scale Short Form [UES-SF]), perceived effectiveness (PE), perceived relaxation effectiveness, and perceived breathing detection accuracy. We used Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to compare the UES-SF, PE, and perceived relaxation effectiveness scores with neutral scores. Furthermore, we correlated perceived breathing detection accuracy with actual multi-class balanced accuracy to determine whether participants could perceive the actual breathing detection performance. We also conducted a repeated-measure ANOVA to investigate breathing detection differences in balanced accuracy with and without the heuristic and when classifying data captured from headphones and smartphone microphones. The analysis controlled for potential between-subject effects of the participants’ sex. Results Our results show scores that were significantly higher than neutral scores for the UES-SF (W=459; P<.001), PE (W=465; P<.001), and perceived relaxation effectiveness (W=358; P<.001). Perceived breathing detection accuracy correlated significantly with the actual multi-class balanced accuracy (r=0.51; P<.001). Furthermore, we found that the heuristic significantly improved the breathing detection balanced accuracy (F1,25=6.23; P=.02) and that detection performed better on data captured from smartphone microphones than than on data from headphones (F1,25=17.61; P<.001). We did not observe any significant between-subject effects of sex. Breathing detection without the heuristic reached a multi-class balanced accuracy of 74% on the collected audio recordings. Conclusions Most participants (28/30, 93%) perceived Breeze 2 as engaging and effective. Furthermore, breathing detection worked well for most participants, as indicated by the perceived detection accuracy and actual detection accuracy. In future work, we aim to use the collected breathing sounds to improve breathing detection with regard to its stability and performance. We also plan to use Breeze 2 as an intervention tool in various studies targeting the prevention and management of noncommunicable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanick Xavier Lukic
- Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Department of Management, Technology, and Economics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gisbert Wilhelm Teepe
- Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Department of Management, Technology, and Economics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elgar Fleisch
- Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Department of Management, Technology, and Economics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Institute of Technology Management, University of St.Gallen, St.Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Kowatsch
- Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Department of Management, Technology, and Economics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- School of Medicine, University of St.Gallen, St.Gallen, Switzerland
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12
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Eis S, Solà-Morales O, Duarte-Díaz A, Vidal-Alaball J, Perestelo-Pérez L, Robles N, Carrion C. Mobile Applications in Mood Disorders and Mental Health: Systematic Search in Apple App Store and Google Play Store and Review of the Literature. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19042186. [PMID: 35206373 PMCID: PMC8871536 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19042186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The main objective of this work was to explore and characterize the current landscape of mobile applications available to treat mood disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, and dysthymia. METHODS We developed a tool that makes both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store searchable using keywords and that facilitates the extraction of basic app information of the search results. All app results were filtered using various inclusion and exclusion criteria. We characterized all resultant applications according to their technical details. Furthermore, we searched for scientific publications on each app's website and PubMed, to understand whether any of the apps were supported by any type of scientific evidence on their acceptability, validation, use, effectiveness, etc. Results: Thirty apps were identified that fit the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The literature search yielded 27 publications related to the apps. However, these did not exclusively concern mood disorders. 6 were randomized studies and the rest included a protocol, pilot-, feasibility, case-, or qualitative studies, among others. The majority of studies were conducted on relatively small scales and 9 of the 27 studies did not explicitly study the effects of mobile application use on mental wellbeing. CONCLUSION While there exists a wealth of mobile applications aimed at the treatment of mental health disorders, including mood disorders, this study showed that only a handful of these are backed by robust scientific evidence. This result uncovers a need for further clinically oriented and systematic validation and testing of such apps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Eis
- Fundació HiTT (Health Innovation Technology Transfer), 08015 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Oriol Solà-Morales
- Fundació HiTT (Health Innovation Technology Transfer), 08015 Barcelona, Spain;
- Correspondence:
| | - Andrea Duarte-Díaz
- Canary Islands Health Research Institute Foundation (FIISC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain;
| | - Josep Vidal-Alaball
- Health Promotion in Rural Areas Research Group, Gerència Territorial de la Catalunya Central, Institut Català de la Salut, 08272 Barcelona, Spain;
- Unitat de Suport a la Recerca de la Catalunya Central, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVIC-UCC), 08500 Vic, Spain
| | | | - Noemí Robles
- eHealth Lab Research Group, School of Health Sciences and eHealth Centre, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (N.R.); (C.C.)
| | - Carme Carrion
- eHealth Lab Research Group, School of Health Sciences and eHealth Centre, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (N.R.); (C.C.)
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13
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Mosher Henke R. Knowing Well, Being Well: well-being born of understanding: Shifts in Health Behaviors Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic. Am J Health Promot 2021; 35:1162-1183. [DOI: 10.1177/08901171211055310a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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14
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Satre DD, Meacham MC, Asarnow LD, Fisher WS, Fortuna LR, Iturralde E. Opportunities to Integrate Mobile App-Based Interventions Into Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services in the Wake of COVID-19. Am J Health Promot 2021; 35:1178-1183. [PMID: 34652971 DOI: 10.1177/08901171211055314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened concerns about the impact of depression, anxiety, alcohol, and drug use on public health. Mobile apps to address these problems were increasingly popular even before the pandemic, and may help reach people who otherwise have limited treatment access. In this review, we describe pandemic-related substance use and mental health problems, the growing evidence for mobile app efficacy, how health systems can integrate apps into patient care, and future research directions. If equity in access and effective implementation can be addressed, mobile apps are likely to play an important role in mental health and substance use disorder treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek D Satre
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Meredith C Meacham
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lauren D Asarnow
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Weston S Fisher
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lisa R Fortuna
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Esti Iturralde
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
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15
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Teepe GW, Da Fonseca A, Kleim B, Jacobson NC, Salamanca Sanabria A, Tudor Car L, Fleisch E, Kowatsch T. Just-in-Time Adaptive Mechanisms of Popular Mobile Apps for Individuals With Depression: Systematic App Search and Literature Review. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e29412. [PMID: 34309569 PMCID: PMC8512178 DOI: 10.2196/29412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of smartphone apps that focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of depression is increasing. A promising approach to increase the effectiveness of the apps while reducing the individual's burden is the use of just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI) mechanisms. JITAIs are designed to improve the effectiveness of the intervention and reduce the burden on the person using the intervention by providing the right type of support at the right time. The right type of support and the right time are determined by measuring the state of vulnerability and the state of receptivity, respectively. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to systematically assess the use of JITAI mechanisms in popular apps for individuals with depression. METHODS We systematically searched for apps addressing depression in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, as well as in curated lists from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, the United Kingdom National Health Service, and the American Psychological Association in August 2020. The relevant apps were ranked according to the number of reviews (Apple App Store) or downloads (Google Play Store). For each app, 2 authors separately reviewed all publications concerning the app found within scientific databases (PubMed, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, IEEE Xplore, Web of Science, ACM Portal, and Science Direct), publications cited on the app's website, information on the app's website, and the app itself. All types of measurements (eg, open questions, closed questions, and device analytics) found in the apps were recorded and reviewed. RESULTS None of the 28 reviewed apps used JITAI mechanisms to tailor content to situations, states, or individuals. Of the 28 apps, 3 (11%) did not use any measurements, 20 (71%) exclusively used self-reports that were insufficient to leverage the full potential of the JITAIs, and the 5 (18%) apps using self-reports and passive measurements used them as progress or task indicators only. Although 34% (23/68) of the reviewed publications investigated the effectiveness of the apps and 21% (14/68) investigated their efficacy, no publication mentioned or evaluated JITAI mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS Promising JITAI mechanisms have not yet been translated into mainstream depression apps. Although the wide range of passive measurements available from smartphones were rarely used, self-reported outcomes were used by 71% (20/28) of the apps. However, in both cases, the measured outcomes were not used to tailor content and timing along a state of vulnerability or receptivity. Owing to this lack of tailoring to individual, state, or situation, we argue that the apps cannot be considered JITAIs. The lack of publications investigating whether JITAI mechanisms lead to an increase in the effectiveness or efficacy of the apps highlights the need for further research, especially in real-world apps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisbert W Teepe
- Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Department of Management, Technology, and Economics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ashish Da Fonseca
- Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Institute of Technology Management, University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Birgit Kleim
- Experimental Psychopathology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicholas C Jacobson
- Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Departments of Biomedical Data Science and Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States
| | - Alicia Salamanca Sanabria
- Future Health Technologies, Singapore-ETH Centre, Campus for Research Excellence And Technological Enterprise, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lorainne Tudor Car
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elgar Fleisch
- Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Department of Management, Technology, and Economics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Institute of Technology Management, University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Kowatsch
- Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Department of Management, Technology, and Economics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Institute of Technology Management, University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
- Future Health Technologies, Singapore-ETH Centre, Campus for Research Excellence And Technological Enterprise, Singapore, Singapore
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16
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Warsinsky S, Schmidt-Kraepelin M, Rank S, Thiebes S, Sunyaev A. Conceptual Ambiguity Surrounding Gamification and Serious Games in Health Care: Literature Review and Development of Game-Based Intervention Reporting Guidelines (GAMING). J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e30390. [PMID: 34505840 PMCID: PMC8463952 DOI: 10.2196/30390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In health care, the use of game-based interventions to increase motivation, engagement, and overall sustainability of health behaviors is steadily becoming more common. The most prevalent types of game-based interventions in health care research are gamification and serious games. Various researchers have discussed substantial conceptual differences between these 2 concepts, supported by empirical studies showing differences in the effects on specific health behaviors. However, researchers also frequently report cases in which terms related to these 2 concepts are used ambiguously or even interchangeably. It remains unclear to what extent existing health care research explicitly distinguishes between gamification and serious games and whether it draws on existing conceptual considerations to do so. OBJECTIVE This study aims to address this lack of knowledge by capturing the current state of conceptualizations of gamification and serious games in health care research. Furthermore, we aim to provide tools for researchers to disambiguate the reporting of game-based interventions. METHODS We used a 2-step research approach. First, we conducted a systematic literature review of 206 studies, published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research and its sister journals, containing terms related to gamification, serious games, or both. We analyzed their conceptualizations of gamification and serious games, as well as the distinctions between the two concepts. Second, based on the literature review findings, we developed a set of guidelines for researchers reporting on game-based interventions and evaluated them with a group of 9 experts from the field. RESULTS Our results show that less than half of the concept mentions are accompanied by an explicit definition. To distinguish between the 2 concepts, we identified four common approaches: implicit distinction, synonymous use of terms, serious games as a type of gamified system, and distinction based on the full game dimension. Our Game-Based Intervention Reporting Guidelines (GAMING) consist of 25 items grouped into four topics: conceptual focus, contribution, mindfulness about related concepts, and individual concept definitions. CONCLUSIONS Conceptualizations of gamification and serious games in health care literature are strongly heterogeneous, leading to conceptual ambiguity. Following the GAMING can support authors in rigorous reporting on study results of game-based interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Warsinsky
- Department of Economics and Management, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | | | - Sascha Rank
- Department of Economics and Management, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Scott Thiebes
- Department of Economics and Management, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Ali Sunyaev
- Department of Economics and Management, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
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17
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Martinengo L, Stona AC, Griva K, Dazzan P, Pariante CM, von Wangenheim F, Car J. Self-guided Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Apps for Depression: Systematic Assessment of Features, Functionality, and Congruence With Evidence. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e27619. [PMID: 34328431 PMCID: PMC8367167 DOI: 10.2196/27619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mental health disorders affect 1 in 10 people globally, of whom approximately 300 million are affected by depression. At least half of the people affected by depression remain untreated. Although cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment, access to mental health specialists, habitually challenging, has worsened because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Internet-based CBT is an effective and feasible strategy to increase access to treatment for people with depression. Mental health apps may further assist in facilitating self-management for people affected by depression; however, accessing the correct app may be cumbersome given the large number and wide variety of apps offered by public app marketplaces. Objective This study aims to systematically assess the features, functionality, data security, and congruence with evidence of self-guided CBT-based apps targeting users affected by depression that are available in major app stores. Methods We conducted a systematic assessment of self-guided CBT-based apps available in Google Play and the Apple App Store. Apps launched or updated since August 2018 were identified through a systematic search in the 42matters database using CBT-related terms. Apps meeting the inclusion criteria were downloaded and assessed using a Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro (Android 9) and iPhone 7 (iOS 13.3.1). Apps were appraised using a 182-question checklist developed by the research team, assessing their general characteristics, technical aspects and quality assurance, and CBT-related features, including 6 evidence-based CBT techniques (ie, psychoeducation, behavioral activation, cognitive restructuring, problem solving, relaxation, and exposure for comorbid anxiety) as informed by a CBT manual, CBT competence framework, and a literature review of internet-based CBT clinical trial protocols. The results were reported as a narrative review using descriptive statistics. Results The initial search yielded 3006 apps, of which 98 met the inclusion criteria and were systematically assessed. There were 20 well-being apps; 65 mental health apps, targeting two or more common mental health disorders, including depression; and 13 depression apps. A total of 28 apps offered at least four evidence-based CBT techniques, particularly depression apps. Cognitive restructuring was the most common technique, offered by 79% (77/98) of the apps. Only one-third of the apps offered suicide risk management resources, whereas 17% (17/98) of the apps offered COVID-19–related information. Although most apps included a privacy policy, only a third of the apps presented it before account creation. In total, 82% (74/90) of privacy policies stated sharing data with third-party service providers. Half of the app development teams included academic institutions or health care providers. Conclusions Only a few self-guided CBT-based apps offer comprehensive CBT programs or suicide risk management resources. Sharing of users’ data is widespread, highlighting shortcomings in health app market governance. To fulfill their potential, self-guided CBT-based apps should follow evidence-based clinical guidelines, be patient centered, and enhance users’ data security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Martinengo
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Anne-Claire Stona
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Konstadina Griva
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Paola Dazzan
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carmine Maria Pariante
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Florian von Wangenheim
- Professor of Technology Marketing, Department of Management, Technology & Economics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Josip Car
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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18
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Boucher EM, Ward HE, Stafford JL, Parks AC. Effects of a Digital Mental Health Program on Perceived Stress in Adolescents Aged 13-17 Years: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2021; 10:e25545. [PMID: 33871377 PMCID: PMC8094018 DOI: 10.2196/25545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Stress is an important transdiagnostic risk factor in adolescence and predicts a host of physical and psychological problems in adolescence and adulthood. Adolescence is also a developmental stage in which people may be more sensitive or reactive to stress. Indeed, research has shown that adolescents report high levels of stress, particularly when enrolled in school. However, adolescents report engaging in few, if any, stress management techniques. Consequently, the development of effective programs to help address adolescent stress is particularly important. To date, most stress management programs for adolescents are delivered within schools, and the evidence for such programs is mixed. Furthermore, most of these programs rely on traditional stress management techniques rather than incorporating methods to address the underlying negative cognitive processes, such as rumination, that may contribute to or exacerbate the effects of perceived stress. Objective The aim of this study is to test the short-term effects of a digital mental health program designed for adolescents aged 13-17 years on perceived stress and rumination. Methods This is a randomized controlled trial in which adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 years, with elevated levels of perceived stress and brooding, will be randomly assigned to complete 8 weeks of a digital mental health program (Happify for Teens) or to a corresponding wait-list control group. The study will take place over 3 months, including the 8-week intervention period and 1-month postintervention follow-up. The primary outcome, perceived stress, along with secondary and exploratory outcomes (ie, brooding, optimism, sleep disturbance, and loneliness) will be assessed via self-report at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks to compare changes in these outcomes across conditions. Results Recruitment is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2021, with a target sample size of 800 participants (400 per condition). Participants will begin the study as they are recruited and will finish in waves, with the first wave of data expected 8 weeks after recruitment begins and the final wave of data expected by the end of the third quarter of 2021. Conclusions Although school-based stress management programs for adolescents are common, research suggests that they may be limited in their reach and more effective for school-based stress than other types of stress. This trial will be one of the first attempts to examine the potential benefits of a digital mental health program on adolescents to address stress along with negative cognitive processes such as rumination. If successful, this would help introduce a more scalable alternative to school-based programs that offers adolescents greater privacy while also providing insight into novel ways to target adolescent mental health more generally. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04567888; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04567888 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/25545
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19
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Muñoz AO, Camacho E, Torous J. Marketplace and Literature Review of Spanish Language Mental Health Apps. Front Digit Health 2021; 3:615366. [PMID: 34713093 PMCID: PMC8521936 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2021.615366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Language differences between patients and providers remains a barrier to accessing health care, especially mental health services. One potential solution to reduce inequities for patients that speak different languages and improve their access to care is through the delivery of healthcare through mobile technology. Given that the Latinx community serves as the largest ethnic minority in the United States, this two-phased review examines Spanish app development, feasibility and efficacy. Phase 1 explored the commercial marketplace for apps available in Spanish, while phase 2 involved a literature review of published research centered around the creation, functions, and usability of these apps using the PubMed and Google Scholar electronic databases. Of the apps available on the database, only 14.5% of them had Spanish operability. The literature search uncovered 629 results, of which 12 research articles that tested or described 10 apps met the inclusion criteria. Of the 10 apps studied in this literature review, only four apps were translated to Spanish. Our study reveals that despite increasing interest in Spanish-language apps to address mental health, the commercial marketplace is not currently meeting the demand.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erica Camacho
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - John Torous
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: John Torous
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20
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Lukic YX, Shih CHI, Hernandez Reguera A, Cotti A, Fleisch E, Kowatsch T. Physiological Responses and User Feedback on a Gameful Breathing Training App: Within-Subject Experiment. JMIR Serious Games 2021; 9:e22802. [PMID: 33555264 PMCID: PMC7899808 DOI: 10.2196/22802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Slow-paced breathing training (6 breaths per minute [BPM]) improves physiological and psychological well-being by inducing relaxation characterized by increased heart rate variability (HRV). However, classic breathing training has a limited target group, and retention rates are very low. Although a gameful approach may help overcome these challenges, it is crucial to enable breathing training in a scalable context (eg, smartphone only) and ensure that they remain effective. However, despite the health benefits, no validated mobile gameful breathing training featuring a biofeedback component based on breathing seems to exist. OBJECTIVE This study aims to describe the design choices and their implementation in a concrete mobile gameful breathing training app. Furthermore, it aims to deliver an initial validation of the efficacy of the resulting app. METHODS Previous work was used to derive informed design choices, which, in turn, were applied to build the gameful breathing training app Breeze. In a pretest (n=3), design weaknesses in Breeze were identified, and Breeze was adjusted accordingly. The app was then evaluated in a pilot study (n=16). To ascertain that the effectiveness was maintained, recordings of breathing rates and HRV-derived measures (eg, root mean square of the successive differences [RMSSDs]) were collected. We compared 3 stages: baseline, standard breathing training deployed on a smartphone, and Breeze. RESULTS Overall, 5 design choices were made: use of cool colors, natural settings, tightly incorporated game elements, game mechanics reflecting physiological measures, and a light narrative and progression model. Breeze was effective, as it resulted in a slow-paced breathing rate of 6 BPM, which, in turn, resulted in significantly increased HRV measures compared with baseline (P<.001 for RMSSD). In general, the app was perceived positively by the participants. However, some criticized the somewhat weaker clarity of the breathing instructions when compared with a standard breathing training app. CONCLUSIONS The implemented breathing training app Breeze maintained its efficacy despite the use of game elements. Moreover, the app was positively perceived by participants although there was room for improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanick Xavier Lukic
- Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Department of Management, Technology, and Economics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chen-Hsuan Iris Shih
- Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Department of Management, Technology, and Economics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Amanda Cotti
- Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Institute of Technology Management, University of St.Gallen, St.Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Elgar Fleisch
- Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Department of Management, Technology, and Economics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Institute of Technology Management, University of St.Gallen, St.Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Kowatsch
- Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Department of Management, Technology, and Economics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Institute of Technology Management, University of St.Gallen, St.Gallen, Switzerland
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Ducharme P, Kahn J, Vaudreuil C, Gusman M, Waber D, Ross A, Rotenberg A, Rober A, Kimball K, Peechatka AL, Gonzalez-Heydrich J. A "Proof of Concept" Randomized Controlled Trial of a Video Game Requiring Emotional Regulation to Augment Anger Control Training. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:591906. [PMID: 34539455 PMCID: PMC8440816 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.591906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Emotional dysregulation leading to clinically significant anger and aggression is a common and substantial concern for youth and their families. While psychotropic medications and cognitive behavioral therapies can be effective, these modalities suffer from drawbacks such as significant side effects, high rates of attrition, and lack of real-world skill translation. Regulate and Gain Emotional Control (RAGE-Control) is a video game designed as an engaging augment to existing treatments. The game facilitates emotional regulation skill building through practice modulating physiological arousal while completing a challenging inhibitory task. We compared reduction in anger, aggression, oppositionality, and global severity between two treatment conditions: Anger Control Training (ACT) augmented with RAGE-Control and ACT with a sham version of the game, in a pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial. To begin to understand mechanisms of change, we examined heart rate during game play over the course of the study and explored associations between symptom changes and heart rate changes. Materials and Methods: Forty youth with clinically significant anger dyscontrol (age 10-17) were randomly assigned to 10 sessions of ACT with RAGE-Control or ACT with sham video game. Results: Both treatments similarly reduced self-reported anger. However, ACT with RAGE-Control led to larger improvements in aggression (CI: -17 to -1.0, ES: 0.55, p = 0.015); oppositionality (CI: -9.0 to -7e-6, ES: 0.48, p = 0.032); and global severity (CI: -1.0 to -5e-6, ES: 0.51, p = 0.023) relative to sham. Participants in the RAGE-Control group saw a decrease in median heart rate during game play (β = 1.2, p < 0.001). Larger pre to post decreases in heart rate were significantly associated with larger pre to post decreases in aggression and oppositional behaviors. Discussion: Augmenting ACT with RAGE-Control reduced behavioral expression of anger, but not the experience of angry feelings, as compared to ACT with a sham version of the game. Increased heart rate control, demonstrated by reduction in median heart rate during gameplay, was associated with decreased aggression and oppositional behavior. Together these findings support that augmenting traditional treatment with technology facilitating heart rate control through skill practice translates to enhancements in real-life behavioral change. Therefore, further exploration into engaging skill-focused games such as RAGE-Control is warranted. Clinical Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT01551732.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Ducharme
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jason Kahn
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Neuromotion Labs, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Carrie Vaudreuil
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michaela Gusman
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Deborah Waber
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Abigail Ross
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Alexander Rotenberg
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ashley Rober
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kara Kimball
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Joseph Gonzalez-Heydrich
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Chelidoni O, Plans D, Ponzo S, Morelli D, Cropley M. Exploring the Effects of a Brief Biofeedback Breathing Session Delivered Through the BioBase App in Facilitating Employee Stress Recovery: Randomized Experimental Study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2020; 8:e19412. [PMID: 33055072 PMCID: PMC7596654 DOI: 10.2196/19412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recovery from stress is a predictive factor for cardiovascular health, and heart rate variability (HRV) is suggested to be an index of how well people physiologically recover from stress. Biofeedback and mindfulness interventions that include guided breathing have been shown to be effective in increasing HRV and facilitating stress recovery. Objective This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a brief app-based breathing intervention (BioBase) in enhancing physiological recovery among employees who were induced to cognitive and emotional stress. Methods In total, we recruited 75 full-time employees. Interbeat (RR) intervals were recorded continuously for 5 min at baseline and during cognitive and emotional stress induction. The session ended with a 5-min recovery period during which participants were randomly allocated into 3 conditions: app-based breathing (BioBase), mindfulness body scan, or control. Subjective tension was assessed at the end of each period. Results Subjective tension significantly increased following stress induction. HRV significantly decreased following the stress period. In the recovery phase, the root mean square of successive RR interval differences (P=.002), the percentage of successive RR intervals that differed by >50 ms (P=.008), and high frequency (P=.01) were significantly higher in the BioBase breathing condition than in the mindfulness body scan and the control groups. Conclusions Biofeedback breathing interventions digitally delivered through a commercially available app can be effective in facilitating stress recovery among employees. These findings contribute to the mobile health literature on the beneficial effects of brief app-based breathing interventions on employees’ cardiovascular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Chelidoni
- Evolution, Behaviour and Environment, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - David Plans
- Initiative in the Digital Economy, Department of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.,Social Cognition Lab, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,BioBeats Group Ltd, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Davide Morelli
- BioBeats Group Ltd, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Engineering Science, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Cropley
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
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A contextual-behavioral perspective on chronic pain during the COVID-19 pandemic and future times of mandated physical distancing. JOURNAL OF CONTEXTUAL BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2020.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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The Effects of Biofeedback Training and Smartphone-Delivered Biofeedback Training on Resilience, Occupational Stress, and Depressive Symptoms among Abused Psychiatric Nurses. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17082905. [PMID: 32331460 PMCID: PMC7215829 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17082905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Psychiatric ward (PW) nurses are at a higher risk to encounter workplace violence than are other healthcare providers, and many interventions have been developed to improve their mental health. We compared the effectiveness of biofeedback training (BT) and smartphone-delivered BT (SDBT) interventions on occupational stress, depressive symptoms, resilience, heart rate variability, and respiration rate in a sample of abused PW nurses. This was a quasi-experimental study. Structured questionnaires were administered before and six weeks after the intervention. Data were collected from April 2017 to October 2017. A total of 159 abused PW nurses were randomly assigned to BT, SDBT, and control groups, and 135 of them completed all processes of our protocol, with the study consisting of 119 females (88.1%) and 16 males (11.9%) and their age range being from 22 to 59 with the mean age of 35.61 and a standard deviation of 8.16. Compared to the controls, both the BT and the SDBT intervention groups experienced significant improvements in depressive symptoms, resilience, and respiration rate; and the SDBT group experienced significant reductions in occupational stress. Considering the cost, accessibility, restrictions time and space, SDBT be used as an effective intervention in people with resilience or occupational stress.
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