This study investigated the long-term outcomes of internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) for children with anxiety disorders, and potential pre-treatment predictors of treatment outcome. Please contact the library to request a copy of this article - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
While the study results were disappointing, the researchers believe there is still potential for augmented reality games to increase physical exercise, provided people's interest can be sustained.
‘Electronic Monitoring’ (EM) uses devices to monitor individuals’ whereabouts. In 2010, South London and Maudsley medium secure unit introduced EM to monitor individuals on leave. Analysis after two years revealed EM was associated with increased unescorted leave and reduced leave violation; however, comparative costs were not established. This study aims to compare costs of EM for patients on leave by comparing average total cost per patient with and without EM. Costs were compared before and after implementation of EM. Total cost of leave for each group was divided by number of patients to generate average total cost per patient. The average total cost per patient without EM was £1702; £1617 with EM. Although cost decreased, this was not statistically significant. The results showed no significant difference between average total costs per patient before and after EM. The finding of EM being cost-neutral is cautiously optimistic. Further trials are recommended. Login using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text. SSOTP - You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
Lisa Marzano on a recent survey of Internet use in people with psychosis and depression, which explores the extent of the digital divide in mental health.
Self-management is deemed the cornerstone in overall diabetes management. Web-based self-management interventions have potential to support adults with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in managing their disease. Owing to somewhat ambiguous results of such interventions, interventions should be theory-based and incorporate well-defined counselling methods and techniques for behavioural change. This study is designed to assess the effectiveness of a theory-driven web-based Guided Self-Determination (GSD) intervention among adults with T2DM in general practice to improve diabetes self-management behaviours and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Open Access Article
The Method of Levels (MOL) is a transdiagnostic cognitive therapy that promotes contentment, wellbeing, and goal achievement through the resolution of internal conflicts underlying psychological distress. MOL, based on Perceptual Control Theory (PCT), was developed in routine clinical practice and has been used effectively across different health services by different practitioners. Access to MOL-style questions through a smartphone app could, potentially, help both the general public maintain robust mental health, and also be a useful adjunct to therapy for clinical populations. The app is called MindSurf because of its focus on helping people explore their thinking. Prior to developing the app and using it with different populations it was necessary to determine whether such an idea would be usable for and acceptable to potential app users. Therefore, a pilot study was conducted with a non-clinical sample to assess the usability and acceptability of the app including monitoring whether the questions delivered in this way were associated with any adverse events.
Conclusions: The systematic review revealed many mixed findings between depression, anxiety, and SNS use. Methodology has predominantly focused on self-report cross-sectional approaches; future research will benefit from leveraging real-time SNS data over time. The evidence suggests that SNS use correlates with mental illness and well-being; however, whether this effect is beneficial or detrimental depends at least partly on the quality of social factors in the SNS environment. Understanding these relationships will lead to better utilization of SNSs in their potential to positively influence mental health.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a tool, Congredi, for electronic communication by professionals for the care of home-dwelling elderly patients.
Conclusions: While engagement with the app was low, overall the EMA data collected in this exploratory study appeared valid and provided useful insights into the relationships between daily problems, coping efficacy, and mood states. Future research should explore ways to increase engagement with EMA mobile phone apps in adolescent populations to maximize the amount of data captured by these tools.
Conclusions: This study supported the use of MAP [My Asthma Portal] to enhance asthma quality of life but not asthma control as measured by an administrative database.
Conclusions: Mobile apps combining game play with physical activity lead to substantial short-term activity increases and, in contrast to many existing interventions and mobile health apps, have the potential to reach activity-poor populations. Future studies are needed to investigate potential long-term effects of these applications.
Objective: To determine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a novel smartphone-based smoking cessation app designed for socioeconomically disadvantaged smokers. [US study]
Delivering interventions remotely via mobile devices may facilitate access, improve scheduling flexibility, and decrease participant burden, thus improving adherence to intervention requirements. To address these needs, we designed the Creating Live Interactions to Mitigate Barriers (CLIMB) digital intervention, which aims to enhance social functioning in people with CPD. CLIMB consists of two treatment components: a computerized social cognition training (SCT) program and optimized remote group therapy (ORGT). ORGT is an innovative treatment that combines remote group therapy with group texting (short message service, SMS).
Coinciding with not just the health and wellbeing challenges of the District but the new coding curriculum requirements in primary schools, the Schools App Challenge competition was created to uniquely sit as ‘the intersection’ between health and education.
Launched by West Wakefield Health & Wellbeing back in January 2015 as part of the Prime Minister’s Challenge Fund and now in it’s third year, the competition asks children to help co-create health apps. Apps that help other youngsters their age make good physical, mental health and wellbeing choices in the future.
What originally started out with just a handful of schools within West Wakefield’s footprint, the competition has now expanded to primary schools across Wakefield thanks to funding secured from NHS England, with the ultimate intention to roll out nationally from 2017.
oining the Dots is a range of digital tools that has been developed with teams of dedicated service users, carers and staff in Bristol Mental Health (BMH). These tools help mental health services to work in an integrated way, using health data and information to improve care for the people who need it most.
Simon Leigh on clear need for consensus and guidance for app developers, as to which patient-reported outcome measures should be used when developing apps.
Depression is known to negatively impact social functioning, with patients commonly reporting difficulties maintaining social relationships. Moreover, a large body of evidence suggests poor social functioning is not only present in depression but that social functioning is an important factor in illness course and outcome. In addition, good social relationships can play a protective role against the onset of depressive symptoms, particularly in late-life depression. However, the majority of research in this area has employed self-report measures of social function. This approach is problematic, as due to their reliance on memory, such measures are prone to error from the neurocognitive impairments of depression, as well as mood-congruent biases. Login using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text. SSOTP - You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
A pioneering Consultant Psychiatrist based in Cornwall was recently declared a finalist for an Innovation & Excellence Award. This prestigious accolade is in recognition of his outstanding contribution in the development of a revolutionary new app which allows people with epilepsy to monitor their own condition and risk.
Purpose: This pilot study investigated the possible transfer effect on reading ability in children with reading difficulties after a systematic intervention to train and compensate for reading deficiencies by using applications in smartphones and tablets. The effects of using assistive technology (AT) one year after the interventions were completely studied. School related motivation, independent learning and family relations were also considered. You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please be clear which article you are requesting.
Here, in one of the most rural parts of the National Health Service, our clinicians are not just blessed with an excellent bedside manner. Increasingly, they are also becoming skilled in having a “webside manner” – as we harness the full potential of telemedicine to test out and develop a new model of care for the NHS.
Longitudinal studies on the evolution of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms are limited and have primarily used repeated measurements performed several months apart. However, measurements of changes in everyday life should more closely reflect the ‘real life’ of the patient and his or her family. We propose to study the child's ASD symptoms and their effect on the quality of life, psychological status and anxiety of the child's parents over a 6-month period using SMARTAUTISM, a smartphone application. Open Access Article
To date, very little research has been published evaluating mental health apps’ effectiveness. This article focuses on three methods through which grounded theory can facilitate app development and evaluation for people underrepresented in mental health care. Recommendations are made to advance mobile app technology that will help clinicians provide effective treatment, and consumers to realize positive treatment outcomes. Please contact the library to receive a copy of this article - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
There are three strands to the services – care navigation, health coaching and tele-health vital sign monitoring – all of which are funded by the Bassetlaw Clinical Commissioning Group. Care navigation involves telephonic sign-posting, giving information and advice to patients previously diagnosed with a long term condition. Those people who identify a health-related goal to work towards use the health coaching service which encourages positive lifestyle behaviour change. Tele health vital sign monitoring uses equipment in the home to monitor vital signs and warn healthcare professionals if they need to take action.
The new service will have a wide presence across Wandsworth providing face-to-face counselling in a range of venues as part of this service. They have partnered with The Awareness Centre, one of the leading providers of counselling and psychotherapy in London, who works directly with a wide range of groups to offer tailor-made services.
To make sure the service is accessible as possible Talk Wandsworth will deliver the latest innovative online therapy options including SilverCloud, Ieso and Skype. This 24/7 technology will make it easier for people to choose what type of support they want, when they want it and how they would like this to take place.
Objective: This study examined the effect of personalized text messages on physical activity, as measured by a pedometer, and clinical outcomes in a diverse population of patients with T2DM
The authors point out that whereas digital technology is transforming almost all areas of our lives – enabling us to order shopping online or book airline tickets, for example – its use in the NHS is still limited. They explore the evidence to date from seven types of technology for patients in primary care, including online triage programmes such as symptom-checkers, so-called ‘wearable technology’ like Fitbits, online GP appointment booking, video consultations, and health-related apps.
Telford & Wrekin Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service (DARS) launches digital health programme Breaking Free Online to broaden access to addiction treatment.
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) delivered via telephone by an IPT trained certified nurse-midwife helps to reduce symptoms of postpartum depression.
Designing studies that overcome barriers to participation, use a wait-list control group or cross-over design can ensure that studies have an adequate sample are ethically responsible and generate high quality data. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
While interesting, this was a highly artificial scenario in a very small number of healthy people. It is far too early to say whether this approach would be effective in the long-term.
This is the first randomized controlled trial to evaluate non-inferiority of Prolonged Exposure (PE) delivered via home-based telehealth (HBT) compared to standard in-person (IP) PE. Please contact the library to request a copy of this article - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
This study investigated moderators of intervention response in a fully automated Internet-based monitoring and feedback intervention (‘Featback’) with different levels of therapist support for individuals with eating disorder (ED) symptoms. Please contact the library to request a copy of this article - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
Innovative video consultations already piloted in Millom are being extended to Haverigg prison. The aim of the project is to reduce the number of journeys from the prison to the nearest Accident and Emergency Department at Furness General Hospital, which is a 45 minute drive away.
Haverigg Prison is a Category C men's prison, located in the village of Haverigg in Cumbria, which generates an increasing number of journeys each year to Furness General Hospital Emergency Department.
The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of the Virtual Hope Box (VHB), a smartphone app to improve stress coping skills, suicidal ideation, and perceived reasons for living among patients at elevated risk of suicide and self-harm. : Login at top right hand side of page using your SSSFT NHS Athens for full text. SSOTP - You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
Background: Diabetes in pregnancy is a global problem. Technological innovations present exciting opportunities for novel approaches to improve clinical care delivery for gestational and other forms of diabetes in pregnancy.
Background: Treatment for mental illness has shifted from focusing purely on treatment of symptoms to focusing on personal recovery. Patient activation is an important component of the recovery journey. Patient portals have shown promise to increase activation in primary and acute care settings, but the benefits to tertiary level mental health care remain unknown.
The Professional’s Choice Award is one of the Health Tech and You Award categories that highlights a health technology which is highly valued by health and care professionals. In partnership with Roy Lilley’s pioneering Academy of Fabulous Stuff, together we are looking for the person-focused health technology which professionals think has made a significant difference to care. It does not have to be high-tech but must be patient focused.
Do you know an NHS colleague who deserves recognition for how they have led digital transformation, or innovated within their organisation, for the benefit of colleagues and patients?
Why not nominate them for an NHS Digital Pioneer Award?
The NHS Digital Pioneer Awards – coordinated by DigitalHealth.London with the support of NHS England – recognise courage, progressiveness and leadership in digitally enabled transformation.
Previous meta-analyses indicate that computerized cognitive training (CCT) is a safe and efficacious intervention for cognition in older adults. However, efficacy varies across populations and cognitive domains, and little is known about the efficacy of CCT in people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. : Login at top right hand side of page using your SSSFT NHS Athens for full text. SSOTP - You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
REGASSA is a randomized controlled study performed in primary care to study the effects of 12 weeks of Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) and physical exercise (PE) compared with treatment as usual (TAU) in patients with mild-to-moderate mental ill-health. The present study aimed to examine the results of these treatment alternatives on psychological functioning, stress, and sleep disturbances. You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please be clear which article you are requesting.
The report aims to highlight the emerging role of technology in transforming social care services and enabling care and health integration - including case studies of the introduction and use of technology to deliver improved outcomes for social care service users and, in the context of integration, patients. It also showcases the current and future roles of technology in facilitating demand management, delivering cost efficiencies, and mitigating against systemic risks.
ORCHA, the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Applications has developed a safe, simple and highly effective way to validate health apps and provide a convenient rating scale to guide clinicians and the general public.
ORCHA also empowers health and care professionals to identify, engage with and actively promote apps that will have a positive impact on their patients and service users health and wellbeing outcomes.