1
|
Li J, Washington P. A Comparison of Personalized and Generalized Approaches to Emotion Recognition Using Consumer Wearable Devices: Machine Learning Study. JMIR AI 2024; 3:e52171. [PMID: 38875573 PMCID: PMC11127131 DOI: 10.2196/52171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are a wide range of potential adverse health effects, ranging from headaches to cardiovascular disease, associated with long-term negative emotions and chronic stress. Because many indicators of stress are imperceptible to observers, the early detection of stress remains a pressing medical need, as it can enable early intervention. Physiological signals offer a noninvasive method for monitoring affective states and are recorded by a growing number of commercially available wearables. OBJECTIVE We aim to study the differences between personalized and generalized machine learning models for 3-class emotion classification (neutral, stress, and amusement) using wearable biosignal data. METHODS We developed a neural network for the 3-class emotion classification problem using data from the Wearable Stress and Affect Detection (WESAD) data set, a multimodal data set with physiological signals from 15 participants. We compared the results between a participant-exclusive generalized, a participant-inclusive generalized, and a personalized deep learning model. RESULTS For the 3-class classification problem, our personalized model achieved an average accuracy of 95.06% and an F1-score of 91.71%; our participant-inclusive generalized model achieved an average accuracy of 66.95% and an F1-score of 42.50%; and our participant-exclusive generalized model achieved an average accuracy of 67.65% and an F1-score of 43.05%. CONCLUSIONS Our results emphasize the need for increased research in personalized emotion recognition models given that they outperform generalized models in certain contexts. We also demonstrate that personalized machine learning models for emotion classification are viable and can achieve high performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joe Li
- Information and Computer Sciences, University of Hawai`i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Peter Washington
- Information and Computer Sciences, University of Hawai`i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang X, Lewis S, Chen X, Zhou J, Wang X, Bucci S. Acceptability and experience of a smartphone symptom monitoring app for people with psychosis in China (YouXin): a qualitative study. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:268. [PMID: 38594713 PMCID: PMC11003104 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05687-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Access to high-quality mental healthcare remains challenging for people with psychosis globally, including China. Smartphone-based symptom monitoring has the potential to support scalable mental healthcare. However, no such tool, until now, has been developed and evaluated for people with psychosis in China. This study investigated the acceptability and the experience of using a symptom self-monitoring smartphone app (YouXin) specifically developed for people with psychosis in China. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants with psychosis to explore the acceptability of YouXin. Participants were recruited from the non-randomised feasibility study that tested the validity, feasibility, acceptability and safety of the YouXin app. Data analysis was guided by the theoretical framework of acceptability. RESULTS Most participants felt the app was acceptable and easy to use, and no unbearable burdens or opportunity costs were reported. Participants found completing the self-monitoring app rewarding and experienced a sense of achievement. Privacy and data security were not major concerns for participants, largely due to trust in their treating hospital around data protection. Participants found the app easy to use and attributed this to the training provided at the beginning of the study. A few participants said they had built some form of relationship with the app and would miss the app when the study finished. CONCLUSIONS The YouXin app is acceptable for symptom self-monitoring in people with experience of psychosis in China. Participants gained greater insights about their symptoms by using the YouXin app. As we only collected retrospective acceptability in this study, future studies are warranted to assess hypothetical acceptability before the commencement of study to provide a more comprehensive understanding of implementation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Zhang
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shôn Lewis
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Xu Chen
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaojiao Zhou
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xingyu Wang
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Sandra Bucci
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
- Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Litt MD. Do you need a therapist to have a therapeutic alliance? Comment on Benitez et al., "The connection still matters: Therapeutic alliance with digital treatment for alcohol use disorder". ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 48:459-461. [PMID: 38195112 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Litt
- Division of Behavioral Sciences and Community Health - MC3910, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pettitt AK, Nelson BW, Forman-Hoffman VL, Goldin PR, Peiper NC. Longitudinal outcomes of a therapist-supported digital mental health intervention for depression and anxiety symptoms: A retrospective cohort study. Psychol Psychother 2024. [PMID: 38270220 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study examined treatment outcomes (depression and anxiety symptoms) up to 24 months after completion of a therapist-supported digital mental health intervention (DMHI). METHODS The sample consisted of 380 participants who participated in an eight-week DMHI from February 6, 2017 to May 20, 2019. Participants reported depression and anxiety symptoms at eight timepoints from baseline to 24 months. Mixed-effects modelling was used to investigate symptom changes over time. The proportion of participants meeting criteria for treatment response, clinically significant change, and remission of depression and anxiety symptoms were calculated, including proportions demonstrating each outcome sustained up to each timepoint. RESULTS Multivariate analyses yielded statistically significant reductions in depression (β = -5.40) and anxiety (β = -3.31) symptoms from baseline to end of treatment (8 weeks). Symptom levels remained significantly reduced from baseline through 24 months. The proportion of participants meeting criteria for clinical treatment outcomes remained constant over 24 months, although there were linear decreases in the proportions experiencing sustained clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Treatment gains were made for depression and anxiety symptoms at the end of treatment and up to 24 months. Future studies should determine the feasibility of integrating post-treatment programmes into DMHIs to address symptom deterioration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam K Pettitt
- Meru Health, San Mateo, California, USA
- Center for Digital Mental Health, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - Benjamin W Nelson
- Meru Health, San Mateo, California, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Valerie L Forman-Hoffman
- Meru Health, San Mateo, California, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Philippe R Goldin
- Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Nicholas C Peiper
- Meru Health, San Mateo, California, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
von Wulffen C, Marciniak MA, Rohde J, Kalisch R, Binder H, Tuescher O, Kleim B. German Version of the Mobile Agnew Relationship Measure: Translation and Validation Study. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e43368. [PMID: 37955952 PMCID: PMC10682917 DOI: 10.2196/43368] [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: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mobile Agnew Relationship Measure (mARM) is a self-report questionnaire for the evaluation of digital mental health interventions and their interactions with users. With the global increase in digital mental health intervention research, translated measures are required to conduct research with local populations. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to translate and validate the original English version of the mARM into a German version (mARM-G). METHODS A total of 2 native German speakers who spoke English as their second language conducted forward translation of the original items. This version was then back translated by 2 native German speakers with a fluent knowledge of English. An independent bilingual reviewer then compared these drafts and created a final German version. The mARM-G was validated by 15 experts in the field of mobile app development and 15 nonexperts for content validity and face validity; 144 participants were recruited to conduct reliability testing as well as confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS The content validity index of the mARM-G was 0.90 (expert ratings) and 0.79 (nonexperts). The face validity index was 0.89 (experts) and 0.86 (nonexperts). Internal consistency for the entire scale was Cronbach α=.91. Confirmatory factor analysis results were as follows: the chi-square statistic to df ratio was 1.66. Comparative Fit Index was 0.87 and the Tucker-Lewis Index was 0.86. The root mean square error of approximation was 0.07. CONCLUSIONS The mARM-G is a valid and reliable tool that can be used for future studies in German-speaking countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clemens von Wulffen
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marta Anna Marciniak
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Judith Rohde
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Raffael Kalisch
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Mainz, Germany
- Neuroimaging Center, Focus Program Translational Neuroscience, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
| | - Harald Binder
- 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
| | - Oliver Tuescher
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Mainz, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, University Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Birgit Kleim
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Benitez B, Frankforter TL, Nich C, Kiluk BD. The connection still matters: Therapeutic alliance with digital treatment for alcohol use disorder. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 47:2197-2207. [PMID: 38226756 PMCID: PMC10792249 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A strong cooperative bond between the patient and provider ("therapeutic alliance") is robustly associated with better alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment outcomes. Although digital treatments for AUD have significant potential, the function of the alliance during digital programs is unclear. We compared the validity of patient-reported measures of the alliance with a digital treatment ("digital alliance") for AUD and the alliance with their clinician ("clinician alliance"). METHODS We used data from an 8-week, randomized clinical trial of a computerized cognitive behavioral therapy program (CBT4CBT) during outpatient AUD treatment. Treatment conditions included CBT4CBT with minimal clinical monitoring (CBT4CBT + monitor) or with treatment as usual (CBT4CBT + TAU). The digital alliance and clinician alliance were measured with similar versions of the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI). The WAI ratings were completed at the 2nd and 6th treatment sessions. A timeline followback calendar assessed daily alcohol use. Bayesian multilevel models compared the strength of the alliances and tested their associations with future alcohol use. RESULTS Data from 43 participants were included (age M = 44; 65% male; 51% Black, 40% White, 9% other; 14% Hispanic). The digital alliance ratings had similar internal reliability as the clinician alliance ratings (ω's > 0.90). Differences between digital alliance and clinician alliance ratings were negligible in both treatment conditions (BF01 = 9 and 31). During treatment, within-person increases in the digital alliance and the clinician alliance predicted modest decreases in future drinking to a similar degree (BF01 = 15). Alliance ratings were not associated with future drinking when posttreatment follow-up drinking data were included (BF10 < 3). CONCLUSIONS The digital alliance with CBT4CBT was comparable to the clinician alliance. The digital alliance and clinician alliance had similar, albeit very small, associations with abstinence during treatment. Future research can explore how the digital alliance develops to improve AUD treatment efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Benitez
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Tami L Frankforter
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Charla Nich
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Brian D Kiluk
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Tong F, Lederman R, D'Alfonso S, Berry K, Bucci S. Conceptualizing the digital therapeutic alliance in the context of fully automated mental health apps: A thematic analysis. Clin Psychol Psychother 2023; 30:998-1012. [PMID: 37042076 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Fully automated mental health apps provide a promising opportunity for increasing access to mental health care and resources. Given this opportunity, continued research into the utility and effectiveness of mental health apps is crucial. Therapeutic alliance (TA) refers to the relationship between a client and a healthcare professional, and has been shown to be an important predictor of clinical outcomes in face-to-face therapy. Given the significance of TA in traditional therapy, it is important to explore whether the notion of a digital therapeutic alliance (DTA) in the context of fully automated mental health apps also plays an important role in clinical outcomes. Current evidence shows that the conceptualization of DTA in the context of fully automated mental health apps can be potentially different to TA in face-to-face therapy. Thus, a new DTA conceptual model is necessary for comprehensively understanding the mechanisms underpinning DTA for fully automated mental health apps. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that qualitatively explored the dimensions of a DTA in the context of fully automated mental health apps. We conducted interviews with 20 users of mental health apps to explore the key dimensions comprising DTA in the context of fully automated mental health apps. We found that although conceptualizations of DTA and TA have shared dimensions, flexibility and emotional experiences are unique domains in DTA. On the other hand, although agreement on goals between a therapist and a client is important in face to face therapy, we found that users can have an alliance with an app without a goal. The importance of goal needs further investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fangziyun Tong
- School of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, USA
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Reeva Lederman
- School of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, USA
| | - Simon D'Alfonso
- School of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, USA
| | - Katherine Berry
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Complex Trauma and Resilience Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Sandra Bucci
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Complex Trauma and Resilience Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
White JS, Salem MK, Toussaert S, Westmaas JL, Raiff BR, Crane D, Warrender E, Lyles C, Abroms L, Thrul J. Developing a Game (Inner Dragon) Within a Leading Smartphone App for Smoking Cessation: Design and Feasibility Evaluation Study. JMIR Serious Games 2023; 11:e46602. [PMID: 37566442 PMCID: PMC10457699 DOI: 10.2196/46602] [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] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several stand-alone smartphone apps have used serious games to provide an engaging approach to quitting smoking. So far, the uptake of these games has been modest, and the evidence base for their efficacy in promoting smoking cessation is still evolving. The feasibility of integrating a game into a popular smoking cessation app is unclear. OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper was to describe the design and iterative development of the Inner Dragon game within Smoke Free, a smartphone app with proven efficacy, and the results of a single-arm feasibility trial as part of a broad program that seeks to assess the effectiveness of the gamified app for smoking cessation. METHODS In phase 1, the study team undertook a multistep process to design and develop the game, including web-based focus group discussions with end users (n=15). In phase 2, a single-arm study of Smoke Free users who were trying to quit (n=30) was conducted to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the integrated game and to establish the feasibility of the planned procedures for a randomized pilot trial. RESULTS Phase 1 led to the final design of Inner Dragon, informed by principles from psychology and behavioral economics and incorporating several game mechanics designed to increase user engagement and retention. Inner Dragon users maintain an evolving pet dragon that serves as a virtual avatar for the users' progress in quitting. The phase-2 study established the feasibility of the study methods. The mean number of app sessions completed per user was 13.8 (SD 13.1; median 8; range 1-46), with a mean duration per session of 5.8 (median 1.1; range 0-81.1) minutes. Overall, three-fourths (18/24, 75%) of the participants entered the Inner Dragon game at least once and had a mean of 2.4 (SD 2.4) sessions of game use. The use of Inner Dragon was positively associated with the total number of app sessions (correlation 0.57). The mean satisfaction score of participants who provided ratings (11/24, 46%) was 4.2 (SD 0.6) on a 5-point scale; however, satisfaction ratings for Inner Dragon were only completed by 13% (3/24) of the participants. CONCLUSIONS Findings supported further development and evaluation of Inner Dragon as a beneficial feature of Smoke Free. The next step of this study is to conduct a randomized pilot trial to determine whether the gamified version of the app increases user engagement over a standard version of the app.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin S White
- Philip R Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Health Law, Policy & Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Marie K Salem
- Philip R Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | | | - J Lee Westmaas
- Population Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Bethany R Raiff
- Department of Psychology, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, United States
| | | | | | - Courtney Lyles
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Lorien Abroms
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Johannes Thrul
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Pilch M, van Rietschoten T, Ortiz-Catalan M, Lendaro E, van der Sluis CK, Hermansson L. Interplay Between Innovation and Intersubjectivity: Therapists Perceptions of Phantom Motor Execution Therapy and Its Effect on Phantom Limb Pain. J Pain Res 2023; 16:2747-2761. [PMID: 37577161 PMCID: PMC10422994 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s412895] [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: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Interpersonal processes, including therapeutic alliance, may modulate the impact of interventions on pain experience. However, the role of interpersonal context on the effects of technology-enhanced interventions remains underexplored. This study elicited therapists' perspectives on how a novel rehabilitative process, involving Phantom Motor Execution (PME), may impact phantom limb pain. The mediating role of therapeutic alliance, and the way PME influenced its formation, was investigated. Methods A qualitative descriptive design, using a framework method, was used to explore therapists' (n=11) experiences of delivering PME treatment. Semi-structured online-based interviews were conducted. Results A 3-way interaction between therapist, patient, and the PME device was an overarching construct tying four themes together. It formed the context for change in phantom limb experience. The perceived therapeutic effects (theme 1) extended beyond those initially hypothesised and highlighted the mediating role of the key actors and context (theme 2). The therapeutic relationship was perceived as a transformative journey (theme 3), creating an opportunity for communication, collaboration, and bonding. It was seen as a cause and a consequence of therapeutic effects. Future directions, including the role of expertise-informed adaptations and enabling aspects of customised solutions, were indicated (theme 4). Conclusion This study pointed to intrapersonal, interpersonal, and contextual factors that should be considered in clinical implementation of novel rehabilitative tools. The results demonstrated that therapists have unique insights and a crucial role in facilitating PME treatment. The study highlighted the need to consider the biopsychosocial model of pain in designing, evaluating, and implementing technology-supported interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monika Pilch
- Centre for Health Policy & Management, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tijn van Rietschoten
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Groningen, the Netherlands
- University of Groningen, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Max Ortiz-Catalan
- Center for Bionics and Pain Research, Mölndal, Sweden
- Bionics Institute, Melbourne, VC, Australia
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Eva Lendaro
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Corry K van der Sluis
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Liselotte Hermansson
- Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- University Health Care Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Peiper NC, Nelson BW, Aschbacher K, Forman-Hoffman VL. Trajectories of depression symptoms in a therapist-supported digital mental health intervention: a repeated measures latent profile analysis. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2023; 58:1237-1246. [PMID: 36651947 PMCID: PMC9847436 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-022-02402-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Major depression affects 10% of the US adult population annually, contributing to significant burden and impairment. Research indicates treatment response is a non-linear process characterized by combinations of gradual changes and abrupt shifts in depression symptoms, although less is known about differential trajectories of depression symptoms in therapist-supported digital mental health interventions (DMHI). METHODS Repeated measures latent profile analysis was used to empirically identify differential trajectories based upon biweekly depression scores on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) among patients engaging in a therapist-supported DMHI from January 2020 to July 2021. Multivariate associations between symptom trajectories with sociodemographics and clinical characteristics were examined with multinomial logistic regression. Minimal clinically important differences (MCID) were defined as a five-point change on the PHQ-9 from baseline to week 12. RESULTS The final sample included 2192 patients aged 18 to 82 (mean = 39.1). Four distinct trajectories emerged that differed by symptom severity and trajectory of depression symptoms over 12 weeks. All trajectories demonstrated reductions in symptoms. Despite meeting MCID criteria, evidence of treatment resistance was found among the trajectory with the highest symptom severity. Chronicity of major depressive episodes and lifetime trauma exposures were ubiquitous across the trajectories in a multinomial logistic regression model. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that changes in depression symptoms during DMHI are heterogenous and non-linear, suggesting a need for precision care strategies to address treatment resistance and increase engagement. Future efforts should examine the effectiveness of trauma-informed treatment modules for DMHIs as well as protocols for continuation treatment and relapse prevention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas C Peiper
- Meru Health, Inc., 720 South B Street, Second Floor, San Mateo, CA, 94401, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
| | - Benjamin W Nelson
- Meru Health, Inc., 720 South B Street, Second Floor, San Mateo, CA, 94401, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kirstin Aschbacher
- Meru Health, Inc., 720 South B Street, Second Floor, San Mateo, CA, 94401, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Valerie L Forman-Hoffman
- Meru Health, Inc., 720 South B Street, Second Floor, San Mateo, CA, 94401, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lukka L, Karhulahti VM, Palva JM. Factors Affecting Digital Tool Use in Client Interaction According to Mental Health Professionals: Interview Study. JMIR Hum Factors 2023; 10:e44681. [PMID: 37428520 PMCID: PMC10366964 DOI: 10.2196/44681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digital tools and interventions are being increasingly developed in response to the growing mental health crisis, and mental health professionals (MHPs) considerably influence their adoption in client practice. However, how MHPs use digital tools in client interaction is yet to be sufficiently understood, which poses challenges to their design, development, and implementation. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to create a contextual understanding of how MHPs use different digital tools in clinical client practice and what characterizes the use across tools. METHODS A total of 19 Finnish MHPs participated in semistructured interviews, and the data were transcribed, coded, and inductively analyzed. RESULTS We found that MHP digital tool use was characterized by 3 distinct functions: communication, diagnosis and evaluation, and facilitating therapeutic change. The functions were addressed using analog tools, digitized tools that mimic their analog counterparts, and digital tools that use the possibilities native to digital. The MHP-client communication included various media alongside face-to-face meetings, the MHPs increasingly used digitized tools in client evaluation, and the MHPs actively used digitized materials to facilitate therapeutic change. MHP tool use was generally characterized by adaptability-it was negotiated in client interactions. However, there was considerable variance in the breadth of MHPs' digital toolbox. The existing clinical practices emphasized MHP-client interaction and invited incremental rather than radical developments, which challenged the achievement of the scalability benefits expected from digital tools. CONCLUSIONS MHPs use digitized and digital tools in client practice. Our results contribute to the user-centered research, development, and implementation of new digital solutions in mental health care by classifying them according to their function and medium and describing how MHPs use and do not use them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauri Lukka
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
| | - Veli-Matti Karhulahti
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - J Matias Palva
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
- Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Grodniewicz JP, Hohol M. Waiting for a digital therapist: three challenges on the path to psychotherapy delivered by artificial intelligence. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1190084. [PMID: 37324824 PMCID: PMC10267322 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1190084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Growing demand for broadly accessible mental health care, together with the rapid development of new technologies, trigger discussions about the feasibility of psychotherapeutic interventions based on interactions with Conversational Artificial Intelligence (CAI). Many authors argue that while currently available CAI can be a useful supplement for human-delivered psychotherapy, it is not yet capable of delivering fully fledged psychotherapy on its own. The goal of this paper is to investigate what are the most important obstacles on our way to developing CAI systems capable of delivering psychotherapy in the future. To this end, we formulate and discuss three challenges central to this quest. Firstly, we might not be able to develop effective AI-based psychotherapy unless we deepen our understanding of what makes human-delivered psychotherapy effective. Secondly, assuming that it requires building a therapeutic relationship, it is not clear whether psychotherapy can be delivered by non-human agents. Thirdly, conducting psychotherapy might be a problem too complicated for narrow AI, i.e., AI proficient in dealing with only relatively simple and well-delineated tasks. If this is the case, we should not expect CAI to be capable of delivering fully-fledged psychotherapy until the so-called "general" or "human-like" AI is developed. While we believe that all these challenges can ultimately be overcome, we think that being mindful of them is crucial to ensure well-balanced and steady progress on our path to AI-based psychotherapy.
Collapse
|
13
|
Asman O, Tal A, Barilan YM. Conversational Artificial Intelligence-Patient Alliance Turing Test and the Search for Authenticity. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOETHICS : AJOB 2023; 23:62-64. [PMID: 37130413 DOI: 10.1080/15265161.2023.2191046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
|
14
|
Coghlan S, Leins K, Sheldrick S, Cheong M, Gooding P, D'Alfonso S. To chat or bot to chat: Ethical issues with using chatbots in mental health. Digit Health 2023; 9:20552076231183542. [PMID: 37377565 PMCID: PMC10291862 DOI: 10.1177/20552076231183542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper presents a critical review of key ethical issues raised by the emergence of mental health chatbots. Chatbots use varying degrees of artificial intelligence and are increasingly deployed in many different domains including mental health. The technology may sometimes be beneficial, such as when it promotes access to mental health information and services. Yet, chatbots raise a variety of ethical concerns that are often magnified in people experiencing mental ill-health. These ethical challenges need to be appreciated and addressed throughout the technology pipeline. After identifying and examining four important ethical issues by means of a recognised ethical framework comprised of five key principles, the paper offers recommendations to guide chatbot designers, purveyers, researchers and mental health practitioners in the ethical creation and deployment of chatbots for mental health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Coghlan
- School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne
| | - Kobi Leins
- School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne
- Department of War Studies, King's College London
| | - Susie Sheldrick
- School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne
| | - Marc Cheong
- School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne
| | | | - Simon D'Alfonso
- School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Greenwood KE, Gurnani M, Ward T, Vogel E, Vella C, McGourty A, Robertson S, Sacadura C, Hardy A, Rus‐Calafell M, Collett N, Emsley R, Freeman D, Fowler D, Kuipers E, Bebbington P, Dunn G, Michelson D, Garety P. The service user experience of SlowMo therapy: A co-produced thematic analysis of service users' subjective experience. Psychol Psychother 2022; 95:680-700. [PMID: 35445520 PMCID: PMC9873386 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES SlowMo is the first blended digital therapy for paranoia, showing significant small-moderate reductions in paranoia in a recent large-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT). This study explored the subjective service-user experience of the SlowMo therapy content and design; the experience of the blended therapy approach, including the triangle of the therapeutic alliance; and the experience of the digital aspects of the intervention. DESIGN Qualitative co-produced sub-study of an RCT. METHODS Participants were 22 adult service users with schizophrenia-spectrum psychosis and persistent distressing paranoia, who completed at least one SlowMo therapy session and a 24-week follow-up, at one of 3 sites in Oxford, London, and Sussex, UK. They were interviewed by peer researchers, using a topic guide co-produced by the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) team. The transcribed data were analysed thematically. Multiple coding and triangulation, and lay peer researcher validation were used to reach a consensus on the final theme structure. RESULTS Six core themes were identified: (i) starting the SlowMo journey; (ii) the central role of the supportive therapist; (iii) slowing things down; (iv) value and learning from social connections; (v) approaches and challenges of technology; and (vi) improvements in paranoia and well-being. CONCLUSIONS For these service users, slowing down for a moment was helpful, and integrated into thinking over time. Learning from social connections reflected reduced isolation, and enhanced learning through videos, vignettes, and peers. The central role of the supportive therapist and the triangle of alliance between service user, therapist, and digital platform were effective in promoting positive therapeutic outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E. Greenwood
- School of PsychologyUniversity of SussexBrightonUK,Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation TrustWorthingUK
| | | | - Tom Ward
- Department of PsychologyInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceKing’s College LondonLondonUK,South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Evelin Vogel
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation TrustWorthingUK
| | - Claire Vella
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation TrustWorthingUK
| | | | | | | | - Amy Hardy
- Department of PsychologyInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceKing’s College LondonLondonUK,South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | | | | | - Richard Emsley
- Department of Biostatistics and Health InformaticsInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceKing’s College LondonLondonUK
| | - Daniel Freeman
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation TrustOxfordUK,Department of PsychiatryOxford UniversityOxfordUK
| | - David Fowler
- School of PsychologyUniversity of SussexBrightonUK,Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation TrustWorthingUK
| | - Elizabeth Kuipers
- Department of PsychologyInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceKing’s College LondonLondonUK,South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | | | - Graham Dunn
- Centre for BiostatisticsSchool of Health SciencesManchester Academic Health Science CentreThe University of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | | | - Philippa Garety
- Department of PsychologyInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceKing’s College LondonLondonUK,South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Youhasan P, Henning MA, Chen Y, Lyndon MP. Developing and evaluating an educational web-based tool for health professions education: the Flipped Classroom Navigator. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2022; 22:594. [PMID: 35915441 PMCID: PMC9344763 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-022-03647-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Flipped classroom pedagogy is a blended learning approach applied in undergraduate health professions education. However, teachers and students may require training to effectively engage in flipped classroom pedagogy. Thus, this study aimed to design, develop, and evaluate a web-based tool for fostering flipped classroom pedagogy in undergraduate health professions education. METHODS This is an educational design-based research with a descriptive evaluation component which was conducted in two steps: (i) design & development and (ii) evaluation of an educational website. An expert panel was formed to evaluate the website by using a website evaluation questionnaire (WEQ). Descriptive statistics were employed to calculate the experts' agreement level. RESULTS An innovative website design was used to provide access to a range of digital devices. The development process occurred concurrently in two steps: (i) website development and (ii) learning content development. The educational website was branded as the Flipped Classroom Navigator (FCN). Based on WEQ scores, the FCN obtained a good level of agreement (≥ 80%) for its' ease of use, hyperlinks, structure, relevance, comprehension, completeness, and layout. CONCLUSIONS The FCN is an effective method for providing training to promote flipped classroom pedagogy in health professions education. The FCN achieved good evaluation scores and comments from experts. However, it is also necessary to obtain acceptance from the end-users, which could be the focus of future research. Nonetheless, the expert panel pinpointed areas for further development before introducing the FCN to end-users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Punithalingam Youhasan
- Centre for Medical and Health Sciences Education, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
- Department of Medical Education & Research, Faculty of Health-Care Sciences, Eastern University, Sri Lanka, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka.
| | - Marcus A Henning
- Centre for Medical and Health Sciences Education, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Yan Chen
- Centre for Medical and Health Sciences Education, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Mataroria P Lyndon
- Centre for Medical and Health Sciences Education, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
He L, Basar E, Wiers RW, Antheunis ML, Krahmer E. Can chatbots help to motivate smoking cessation? A study on the effectiveness of motivational interviewing on engagement and therapeutic alliance. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:726. [PMID: 35413887 PMCID: PMC9003955 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13115-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cigarette smoking poses a major threat to public health. While cessation support provided by healthcare professionals is effective, its use remains low. Chatbots have the potential to serve as a useful addition. The objective of this study is to explore the possibility of using a motivational interviewing style chatbot to enhance engagement, therapeutic alliance, and perceived empathy in the context of smoking cessation. Methods A preregistered web-based experiment was conducted in which smokers (n = 153) were randomly assigned to either the motivational interviewing (MI)-style chatbot condition (n = 78) or the neutral chatbot condition (n = 75) and interacted with the chatbot in two sessions. In the assessment session, typical intake questions in smoking cessation interventions were administered by the chatbot, such as smoking history, nicotine dependence level, and intention to quit. In the feedback session, the chatbot provided personalized normative feedback and discussed with participants potential reasons to quit. Engagement with the chatbot, therapeutic alliance, and perceived empathy were the primary outcomes and were assessed after both sessions. Secondary outcomes were motivation to quit and perceived communication competence and were assessed after the two sessions. Results No significant effects of the experimental manipulation (MI-style or neutral chatbot) were found on engagement, therapeutic alliance, or perceived empathy. A significant increase in therapeutic alliance over two sessions emerged in both conditions, with participants reporting significantly increased motivation to quit. The chatbot was perceived as highly competent, and communication competence was positively associated with engagement, therapeutic alliance, and perceived empathy. Conclusion The results of this preregistered study suggest that talking with a chatbot about smoking cessation can help to motivate smokers to quit and that the effect of conversation has the potential to build up over time. We did not find support for an extra motivating effect of the MI-style chatbot, for which we discuss possible reasons. These findings highlight the promise of using chatbots to motivate smoking cessation. Implications for future research are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linwei He
- Department of Communication and Cognition, Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands.
| | - Erkan Basar
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Reinout W Wiers
- Addiction Development and Psychopathology (ADAPT)-Lab, Department of Psychology, and Centre for Urban Mental Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marjolijn L Antheunis
- Department of Communication and Cognition, Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - Emiel Krahmer
- Department of Communication and Cognition, Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Abstract
Human-computer interaction (HCI) has contributed to the design and development of some efficient, user-friendly, cost-effective, and adaptable digital mental health solutions. But HCI has not been well-combined into technological developments resulting in quality and safety concerns. Digital platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) have a good potential to improve prediction, identification, coordination, and treatment by mental health care and suicide prevention services. AI is driving web-based and smartphone apps; mostly it is used for self-help and guided cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety and depression. Interactive AI may help real-time screening and treatment in outdated, strained or lacking mental healthcare systems. The barriers for using AI in mental healthcare include accessibility, efficacy, reliability, usability, safety, security, ethics, suitable education and training, and socio-cultural adaptability. Apps, real-time machine learning algorithms, immersive technologies, and digital phenotyping are notable prospects. Generally, there is a need for faster and better human factors in combination with machine interaction and automation, higher levels of effectiveness evaluation and the application of blended, hybrid or stepped care in an adjunct approach. HCI modeling may assist in the design and development of usable applications, and to effectively recognize, acknowledge, and address the inequities of mental health care and suicide prevention and assist in the digital therapeutic alliance.
Collapse
|
19
|
Valentine L, D’Alfonso S, Lederman R. Recommender systems for mental health apps: advantages and ethical challenges. AI & SOCIETY 2022; 38:1-12. [PMID: 35068708 PMCID: PMC8761504 DOI: 10.1007/s00146-021-01322-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Recommender systems assist users in receiving preferred or relevant services and information. Using such technology could be instrumental in addressing the lack of relevance digital mental health apps have to the user, a leading cause of low engagement. However, the use of recommender systems for digital mental health apps, particularly those driven by personal data and artificial intelligence, presents a range of ethical considerations. This paper focuses on considerations particular to the juncture of recommender systems and digital mental health technologies. While separate bodies of work have focused on these two areas, to our knowledge, the intersection presented in this paper has not yet been examined. This paper identifies and discusses a set of advantages and ethical concerns related to incorporating recommender systems into the digital mental health (DMH) ecosystem. Advantages of incorporating recommender systems into DMH apps are identified as (1) a reduction in choice overload, (2) improvement to the digital therapeutic alliance, and (3) increased access to personal data & self-management. Ethical challenges identified are (1) lack of explainability, (2) complexities pertaining to the privacy/personalization trade-off and recommendation quality, and (3) the control of app usage history data. These novel considerations will provide a greater understanding of how DMH apps can effectively and ethically implement recommender systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lee Valentine
- Orygen, Parkville, VIC 3052 Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Simon D’Alfonso
- School of Computing and Information Systems, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Reeva Lederman
- School of Computing and Information Systems, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Tong F, Lederman R, D'Alfonso S, Berry K, Bucci S. Digital Therapeutic Alliance With Fully Automated Mental Health Smartphone Apps: A Narrative Review. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:819623. [PMID: 35815030 PMCID: PMC9256980 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.819623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Fully automated mental health smartphone apps show strong promise in increasing access to psychological support. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how to make these apps effective. The therapeutic alliance (TA), or the relationship between healthcare professionals and clients, is considered fundamental to successful treatment outcomes in face-to-face therapy. Thus, understanding the TA in the context of fully automated apps would bring us insights into building effective smartphone apps which engage users. However, the concept of a digital therapeutic alliance (DTA) in the context of fully automated mental health smartphone apps is nascent and under-researched, and only a handful of studies have been published in this area. In particular, no published review paper examined the DTA in the context of fully automated apps. The objective of this review was to integrate the extant literature to identify research gaps and future directions in the investigation of DTA in relation to fully automated mental health smartphone apps. Our findings suggest that the DTA in relation to fully automated smartphone apps needs to be conceptualized differently to traditional face-to-face TA. First, the role of bond in the context of fully automated apps is unclear. Second, human components of face-to-face TA, such as empathy, are hard to achieve in the digital context. Third, some users may perceive apps as more non-judgmental and flexible, which may further influence DTA formation. Subdisciplines of computer science, such as affective computing and positive computing, and some human-computer interaction (HCI) theories, such as those of persuasive technology and human-app attachment, can potentially help to foster a sense of empathy, build tasks and goals and develop bond or an attachment between users and apps, which may further contribute to DTA formation in fully automated smartphone apps. Whilst the review produced a relatively limited quantity of literature, this reflects the novelty of the topic and the need for further research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fangziyun Tong
- School of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Reeva Lederman
- School of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Simon D'Alfonso
- School of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Katherine Berry
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Complex Trauma and Resilience Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra Bucci
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Complex Trauma and Resilience Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Lederman R, D'Alfonso S. The Digital Therapeutic Alliance: Prospects and Considerations. JMIR Ment Health 2021; 8:e31385. [PMID: 34283035 PMCID: PMC8335609 DOI: 10.2196/31385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The growing prevalence of digital approaches to mental health care raises a range of questions and considerations. A notion that has recently emerged is that of the digital therapeutic alliance, prompting consideration of whether and how the concept of therapeutic alliance, which has proven to be a central ingredient of successful traditional psychotherapy, could translate to mental health care via digital technologies. This special issue editorial article outlines the topic of digital therapeutic alliance and introduces the five articles that comprise the special issue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reeva Lederman
- School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Australia
| | - Simon D'Alfonso
- School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Williams A, Fossey E, Farhall J, Foley F, Thomas N. Impact of Jointly Using an e-Mental Health Resource (Self-Management And Recovery Technology) on Interactions Between Service Users Experiencing Severe Mental Illness and Community Mental Health Workers: Grounded Theory Study. JMIR Ment Health 2021; 8:e25998. [PMID: 34132647 PMCID: PMC8277385 DOI: 10.2196/25998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND e-Mental health resources are increasingly available for people who experience severe mental illness, including those who are users of community mental health services. However, the potential for service users (SUs) living with severe mental illness to use e-mental health resources together with their community mental health workers (MHWs) has received little attention. OBJECTIVE This study aims to identify how jointly using an interactive website called Self-Management And Recovery Technology (SMART) in a community mental health context influenced therapeutic processes and interactions between SUs and MHWs from their perspective. METHODS We conducted a qualitative study using a constructivist grounded theory methodology. Data were collected through individual semistructured interviews with 37 SUs and 15 MHWs who used the SMART website together for 2 to 6 months. Data analysis involved iterative phases of coding, constant comparison, memo writing, theoretical sampling, and consultation with stakeholders to support the study's credibility. RESULTS A substantive grounded theory, discovering ways to keep life on track, was developed, which portrays a shared discovery process arising from the SU-worker-SMART website interactions. The discovery process included choosing to use the website, revealing SUs' experiences, exploring these experiences, and gaining new perspectives on how SUs did and could keep their lives on track. SUs and MHWs perceived that their three-way interactions were enjoyable, beneficial, and recovery focused when using the website together. They experienced the shared discovery process as relationship building-their interactions when using the website together were more engaging and equal. CONCLUSIONS Jointly using an e-mental health resource elicited recovery-oriented interactions and processes between SUs and MHWs that strengthened their therapeutic relationship in real-world community mental health services. Further work to develop and integrate this novel use of e-mental health in community mental health practice is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Williams
- Department of Nursing and Allied Health, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ellie Fossey
- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Living with a Disability Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - John Farhall
- Department of Psychology and Counselling, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.,NorthWestern Mental Health, Melbourne Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Fiona Foley
- Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Neil Thomas
- Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia.,Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Alfred Hospital and Monash University Central Clinical School, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|