An mHealth intervention for the treatment of patients with an eating disorder: A multicenter randomized controlled trial
Objective: The current multicentre randomized controlled trial assessed the clinicalefficacy of a combined mHealth intervention for eating disorders (EDs) based on cog-nitive behavioral therapy (CBT).Method: A total of 106 ED patients from eight different public and private mentalhealth services in...
| Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | article |
| Publication Date: | 2020 |
| Country: | España |
| Institution: | Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) |
| Repository: | UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC |
| Language: | English |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/192913 |
| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/2117/192913 https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/eat.23286 |
| Access Level: | Open access |
| Keyword: | Eating disorders Mobile apps Medical telematics Mental health mHealth Randomized controlled trial Trastorns de la conducta alimentària Aplicacions mòbils Telemedicina Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Informàtica::Aplicacions de la informàtica |
| Summary: | Objective: The current multicentre randomized controlled trial assessed the clinicalefficacy of a combined mHealth intervention for eating disorders (EDs) based on cog-nitive behavioral therapy (CBT).Method: A total of 106 ED patients from eight different public and private mentalhealth services in Spain were randomly assigned to two parallel groups. Patients ofthe experimental group (N = 53) received standard face-to-face CBT plus a mobileintervention through an application called “TCApp,” which provides self-monitoringand an online chat with the therapist. The control group (N = 53) received standard face-to-face CBT only. Patients completed self-report questionnaires on ED symp-tomatology, anxiety, depression, and quality of life, before and after treatment.Results: Significant reductions in primary and secondary outcomes were observedfor participants of both groups, with no differences between groups. Results alsosuggested that the frequency with which patients attended their referral mentalhealth institution after the intervention was lower for patients in the experimentalgroup than for those in the control group.Discussion: The current study showed that CBT can help to reduce symptoms relat-ing to ED, regardless of whether its delivery includes online components in additionto traditional face-to-face treatment. Besides, the additional component offered bythe TCApp does not appear to be promising from a purely therapeutic perspectivebut perhaps as a cost-effective tool, reducing thus the costs and time burden associ-ated with weekly visits to health professionals. |
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