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Towards a self-applied, mobile-based geolocated exposure therapy software for anxiety disorders: SyMptOMS-ET app
Alberto González-Pérez1, Laura Diaz-Sanahuja2, Miguel Matey-Sanz1
1GEOTEC Research Group, Institute of New Imaging Technologies, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain.
Digital Health
|November 1, 2024
Summary
A new geolocation-based smartphone app guides in-vivo exposure therapy (ET), helping patients manage emotions and change behaviors. Experts confirmed its psychological validity, paving the way for further mHealth tool research.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Computer Science
- mHealth
Background:
- Exposure therapy (ET) is effective for managing situation-specific emotions and avoidance behaviors.
- No existing smartphone solutions effectively guide in-vivo ET.
- mHealth tools offer potential for accessible mental health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and develop a geolocation-based smartphone software component for in-vivo ET guidance.
- To assess the psychological validity of this ET Component and its integrated application (SyMptOMS-ET) through expert evaluation.
Main Methods:
- The ET Component was developed using a process-centered design methodology.
- It was integrated into the SyMptOMS-ET Android application, developed via co-design.
- Nine psychology experts evaluated the app using think-aloud and the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS).
Main Results:
- Experts rated the ET Component highly for quality (4.32/5) and theoretical soundness (4.57/5).
- The SyMptOMS-ET app and ET Component demonstrated psychological validity in expert evaluations.
- Minor suggestions were provided for app improvement.
Conclusions:
- The ET Component and SyMptOMS-ET app possess psychological validity for in-vivo ET.
- Further research is required to determine the mHealth tool's acceptability and efficacy in target patient populations.
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