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Evaluating an Adjunctive Mobile App to Enhance Psychological Flexibility in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Michael E Levin1, Jack Haeger1, Benjamin Pierce1
11 Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA.
Behavior Modification
|July 11, 2017
Summary
A new mobile app, ACT Daily, shows promise in improving mental health by enhancing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) skills. This tool effectively reduced depression and anxiety symptoms in users over a two-week trial.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Digital Health
Background:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based treatment for psychological distress.
- Enhancing skill acquisition, strengthening, and generalization is crucial for treatment efficacy.
- Mobile health (mHealth) applications offer potential for augmenting traditional therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and efficacy of a novel mobile application, ACT Daily, as an adjunct to ACT.
- To determine if the app enhances the learning and application of ACT skills.
- To evaluate the app's impact on depression, anxiety, and psychological inflexibility.
Main Methods:
- An open trial design with a pre-post assessment was employed.
- Fourteen clients with depression/anxiety undergoing ACT participated.
- Participants used the ACT Daily mobile app for two weeks.
Main Results:
- High user satisfaction was reported.
- Significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms were observed.
- Improvements in psychological inflexibility measures, particularly in acceptance and mindfulness, were noted.
Conclusions:
- Adjunctive mobile apps like ACT Daily show promise in improving therapeutic outcomes.
- Tailored skill coaching, prompted by assessments, may be particularly effective.
- mHealth interventions can enhance the effects of ACT on psychological inflexibility and overall well-being.
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