Effects of an Intervention App on Problematic Smartphone Use: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Keller ◽  
Christina Roitzheim ◽  
Theda Radtke ◽  
Konstantin Schenkel ◽  
Ralf Schwarzer
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Active Control ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Psychological Resources ◽  
Problematic Smartphone Use ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Smartphone Use ◽  
Digital Detox

BACKGROUND People spend large parts of their everyday life using their smartphone. Despite various advantages of the smartphone for daily life, problematic forms of smartphone use exist which are related to negative psychological and physiological consequences. To reduce problematic smartphone use, existing interventions are oftentimes app-based and include components, that help users to monitor and restrict their smartphone use by setting timers and blockers. Such digital detox interventions lack to address psychological resources such as promoting a self-efficacious and goal-directed smartphone use. OBJECTIVE Evaluation of the theory-based smartphone app “not less but better” that was developed to make people aware of psychological processes while using the smartphone and to support them in using their smartphone in accordance with their goals and values. METHODS In a randomized controlled trial with 232 participants, effects of a 20-day intervention app consisting of five 4-days training modules to foster a goal-directed smartphone use were evaluated. In the active control condition (treatment-as-usual), participants received a digital detox treatment and planned daily timeouts of at least one hour per day. Up to a 3-weeks follow-up, self-reported problematic smartphone use, objectively measured daily smartphone unlocks, time of smartphone use, self-efficacy, and planning towards goal-directed smartphone use were assessed repeatedly. Linear two-level models tested intervention effects. Mediation models were used to analyse mechanisms of the intervention. RESULTS Both conditions manifested substantial reductions in their problematic smartphone use as well as in the amount of time spent with the smartphone. These reductions were documented at postintervention and remained stable at the 3-weeks follow-up. The number of daily unlocks did not change over time. Further, modelling changes in self-efficacy as a mediator between the intervention and problematic smartphone use at follow-up fitted well to the data and showed an indirect effect (b=-0.09 (CIBC 95% [-0.26, -0.01]), indicating that self-efficacy was an important intervention mechanism. Another mediation model revealed an indirect effect from changes in planning via smartphone unlocks at postintervention on problematic smartphone use at follow-up (b=-0.029, CIBC 95% [-0.078, -0.003]). CONCLUSIONS An innovative, theory-based intervention app on goal-directed smartphone use has been found useful in lowering problematic smartphone use as well as time spent with the smartphone. As the active control condition (planning of daily timeouts) experienced similar reductions in these two outcomes, a combined version of both experimental conditions could be used in future interventions on smartphone behaviours. Moreover, present findings highlight the importance to promote psychological resources such as self-efficacy and planning of goal-directed smartphone use to achieve improvements in problematic smartphone use. CLINICALTRIAL German Clinical Trials Register; https://drks.de/drks_web/setLocale_EN.do; identifier: DRKS00017606

Imagery Rescripting and Imaginal Exposure in Nightmare Disorder Compared to Positive Imagery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Carolin Schmid ◽  
Kathrin Hansen ◽  
Tana Kröner-Borowik ◽  
Regina Steil
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Active Control ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Individual Treatment ◽  
Single Individual ◽  
Imaginal Exposure ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Imagery Rescripting ◽  
Nightmare Disorder

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Both imagery rescripting and imaginal exposure have been proven to be effective in the treatment of chronic nightmares when compared to a waitlist condition. Little is known about their comparative efficacy and their efficacy compared to an active control. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> The aims of this study were to compare the two treatments to one another and to positive imagery as an active control, and to explore covariates of the treatment effect. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In this single-blinded randomized controlled trial, 96 patients with nightmare disorder (idiopathic nightmares) from an outpatient clinic were randomly assigned to a single individual treatment session of rescripting, exposure, or positive imagery and 4 weeks of practice at home. The primary outcome was nightmare distress, and the secondary outcomes were nightmare frequency, nightmare effects, self-efficacy, and general psychopathology. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Nightmare distress was reduced in all groups (imagery rescripting: Cohen’s <i>d</i> = –1.04, imaginal exposure: <i>d</i> = –0.68, positive imagery: <i>d</i> = –0.57), as were nightmare frequency, nightmare effects, and psychopathology. Self-efficacy was enhanced. No differential treatment effects were found on any primary or secondary measure. Treatment gains were not associated with demographic or disorder characteristics, baseline values, treatment credibility, or the number of practice sessions. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Even short nightmare treatments are effective regardless of personal characteristics, and different interventions produce similar results. Future research should aim to clarify the mechanisms of action. Health care should make more use of these powerful and easy-to-administer nightmare treatments.

Randomized Controlled Trial: Self-Care Traumatic Episode Protocol (STEP), Computerized EMDR Treatment of COVID-19 Related Stress

2021 ◽  
pp. EMDR-D-20-00047
Author(s):  
Judy Moench ◽  
Olivia Billsten
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Mental Health Clinicians ◽  
Delayed Treatment ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Traumatic Episode ◽  
General Self Efficacy

Healthcare workers and Mental Health clinicians are at heightened risk for mental health issues while they support their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, and early psychological intervention is crucial to protect them. The Self-Care Traumatic Episode Protocol (STEP) is a computerized intervention adapted from the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (EMDR G-TEP). This study evaluated the effectiveness of STEP for Mental Health clinicians in the context of COVID-19. Thirty-four Mental Health clinicians were randomly allocated to treatment (n = 17) or waitlist (n = 17). The Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) and Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS- 21) were completed by the treatment group at baseline and 1-week follow-up postintervention and by the waitlist group at baseline, preintervention, and 1-week follow-up postwaitlist. Pre–post comparisons showed a significant decrease in depression, anxiety, and stress for Immediate Treatment, t(15) = −3.64, p < .01, d = .73, and for Delayed Treatment, t(15) = −3.53, p < .01, d = .68, There was also a significant increase in general self-efficacy for Immediate Treatment, t(15) = 2.87, p < .05, d = .46, and Delayed Treatment, t(15) = 3.72, p < .01, d = .56. The randomized controlled trial (RCT) indicated that STEP may be effective in increasing general self-efficacy and reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among Mental Health clinicians in the context of COVID-19. Further research investigating the potential of utilizing the STEP intervention on a larger scale and with other populations is needed.

scholarly journals A Cross-Provider Health Care Management Program for Musculoskeletal Disorders: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial in 22 German Companies

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (22) ◽  
pp. 11844
Author(s):  
Kyung-Eun (Anna) Choi ◽  
Lara Lindert ◽  
Lara Schlomann ◽  
Christina Samel ◽  
Martin Hellmich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Case Management ◽  
Sick Leave ◽  
Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Management Group

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are among the most common cause for reduced work capacity and sick leave. Workplace health promotion programs are often neither tailored to the workplace nor the individual needs of the employees. To counteract lacking intersectional care, this four-year randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to investigate the effects of modular coordinating case management (treatment group) compared to supported self-management (control group) on MSD specific sick leave days (routine data), workability (WAI), self-efficacy (self-efficacy scale), and pain (German pain questionnaire, GPQ). The study network comprised 22 companies, 15 company health insurance funds, and 12 pension funds in Germany. Overall, 852 participants (Module A/early intervention: n = 651, Module B/rehabilitation: n = 190, Module C/reintegration: n = 10) participated. Both groups achieved fewer sick leave days, higher workability, and less pain (p < 0.0001) at follow-up compared to baseline. At follow-up, the coordinating case management group showed fewer disability days (GPQ), lower disability scores (GPQ), and lower pain intensities (GPQ) than the supported self-management group (p < 0.05), but no superiority regarding MSD specific sick leave days, workability, nor self-efficacy. Module A showed more comprehensive differences. The accompanying process evaluation shows barriers and facilitators for the implementation of the program, especially in a RCT setting.

scholarly journals Effects of an Intervention App on Problematic Smartphone Use: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

10.2196/26397 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Keller ◽  
Christina Roitzheim ◽  
Theda Radtke ◽  
Konstantin Schenkel ◽  
Ralf Schwarzer
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Problematic Smartphone Use ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Smartphone Use

scholarly journals Evaluating the Implementation and Effectiveness of a Low-Dose Mindfulness-Based Intervention in a Student Sample: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Mindfulness ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constance Karing ◽  
Andreas Beelmann
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Body Awareness ◽  
Mindfulness Practice ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
At Home

Abstract Objectives The aim of the current study was to investigate whether a low-dose mindfulness-based intervention had short- and middle-term effects on primary (mindfulness, mental and physical health, self-efficacy) and secondary outcomes (attentional control, body awareness, emotion regulation and nonattachment). Further, the study examined whether participant compliance (course attendance, mindfulness practice at home) and satisfaction improved the change in primary and secondary outcomes. Methods In a randomized controlled trial, 71 university students were assigned to a mindfulness group (n = 35) or a waitlist group (n = 36). The intervention was a 6-week mindfulness-based training. The outcome variables were measured at pre- and postintervention, and at 2.5 months postintervention. Results At postintervention and at follow-up, the students in the mindfulness group showed a greater increase over time in mindfulness, self-efficacy, body awareness, and reappraisal than the students in the waitlist control group (Cohen’s d = 0.43–1.06). Although a significant intervention effect on nonattachment was found in the Per Protocol sample at postintervention and at follow-up, this effect was not significant in the Intention-To-Treat sample. Further, satisfaction with the training, course attendance, and the frequency of mindfulness practice at home were associated with positive changes in outcome variables. Conclusions The findings suggest that a low-dose mindfulness-based intervention can promote mindfulness, self-efficacy, body awareness, and reappraisal in students. The quality of implementation seems to be important for the benefits of a low-dose mindfulness-based training.

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