TY - JOUR
T1 - An App a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
T2 - Guided Education and Training via Smartphones in Subthreshold Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
AU - Roy, Michael J.
AU - Costanzo, Michelle E.
AU - Highland, Krista B.
AU - Olsen, Cara
AU - Clayborne, Denece
AU - Law, Wendy
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Copyright 2017, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 2017.
PY - 2017/8
Y1 - 2017/8
N2 - Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are common in military service members (SMs), but stigma can impede treatment initiation. Smartphone applications (apps) are available anywhere, anytime, with the potential to both mitigate the impact of stigma and reduce PTSD symptom severity. We provided 144 SMs or family members, with subthreshold PTSD symptoms (PTSD Checklist [PCL] scores of 28-49), with apps promoting psychoeducation, social engagement, and relaxation and randomized them to 6 weeks of resilience enhancement (brief cognitive-behavioral session, followed by daily text messages directing app use) or a control group (daily text messages of inspirational quotes). Participants (54 percent males, 87 percent SMs) in both groups reported reductions in PTSD, anxiety, and depression symptoms during the 6-week intervention, which were sustained at 3 months, but exhibited partial rebound at 6-12 months. Our preliminary results suggest that app use, with or without specific direction, feasibly and effectively reduces symptom severity. Future studies should consider a longer intervention, enhanced compliance tracking, or boosters to sustain benefits.
AB - Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are common in military service members (SMs), but stigma can impede treatment initiation. Smartphone applications (apps) are available anywhere, anytime, with the potential to both mitigate the impact of stigma and reduce PTSD symptom severity. We provided 144 SMs or family members, with subthreshold PTSD symptoms (PTSD Checklist [PCL] scores of 28-49), with apps promoting psychoeducation, social engagement, and relaxation and randomized them to 6 weeks of resilience enhancement (brief cognitive-behavioral session, followed by daily text messages directing app use) or a control group (daily text messages of inspirational quotes). Participants (54 percent males, 87 percent SMs) in both groups reported reductions in PTSD, anxiety, and depression symptoms during the 6-week intervention, which were sustained at 3 months, but exhibited partial rebound at 6-12 months. Our preliminary results suggest that app use, with or without specific direction, feasibly and effectively reduces symptom severity. Future studies should consider a longer intervention, enhanced compliance tracking, or boosters to sustain benefits.
KW - Cell phones
KW - Combat stress
KW - Mindfulness
KW - Posttraumatic stress disorder
KW - Resilience
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85027406596&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1089/cyber.2017.0221
DO - 10.1089/cyber.2017.0221
M3 - Article
C2 - 28737954
AN - SCOPUS:85027406596
SN - 2152-2715
VL - 20
SP - 470
EP - 478
JO - Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
JF - Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
IS - 8
ER -