Brindal Emily, Kakoschke Naomi, Golley Sinead, Rebuli Megan, Baird Danielle
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
JMIR Ment Health. 2023 Apr 3;10:e44925. doi: 10.2196/44925.
Commercial smartphone apps designed to promote emotional well-being are becoming increasingly popular, but few apps have been empirically validated.
This study examined the feasibility and effectiveness of a self-guided app designed to reduce daily stress via positive messaging and tailored short inspirational talks (ie, peps).
A total of 166 participants (n=112, 67.5% female; mean age 38.48, SD 6.73 years) were recruited through social media advertising and randomized into an intervention (Hey Lemonade app plus twice daily mood monitoring using the Multidimensional Mood Questionnaire [MDMQ]) or active control (twice daily mood monitoring [MDMQ]) group. Primary (coping self-efficacy [CSE]; 3 subscales) and secondary outcomes (vitality, satisfaction with life, perceived stress, positive and negative affect, and hassles and uplifts) were measured at the baseline (week 1) and end point (week 4). The app evaluation questions were assessed at week 2. All interactions and measurements were collected on the internet and through the apps.
In total, of 166 participants, 125 (75.3%) completed the trial. There were no differences in dropout rates between the groups (62/81, 76% intervention; 63/85, 74% control). There were significant group-by-time interactions for vitality and hassles but no significant effect for CSE total (P=.05). For the intervention group, the change from baseline to week 4 was significant for vitality (P=.002) and hassles (P=.004), CSE total (P=.008), and CSE Emotional subscale (P=.02). For the control group, any changes over 4 weeks were not significant for any outcome. There was a significant group-by-time interaction for MDMQ calmness (P=.04). By week 4, calmness was significantly higher in the intervention group (P=.046). Of those in the intervention group at week 2 (n=68), 39 (57%) participants recommended the app and 41 (60%) participants wanted to continue using it. Pep talks and customizable voice options were the most popular features.
Participants who had access to the smartphone app on an as-needed basis over the 4-week trial showed significant improvements in emotional well-being indicators. More broadly, this suggests that simple accessible solutions may generate meaningful well-being outcomes. Whether these changes are sustained and can be generalized to other population groups is yet to be determined.
Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) 12622001005741; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=384304&isReview=true.
旨在促进情绪健康的商业智能手机应用程序越来越受欢迎，但很少有应用程序经过实证验证。
本研究考察了一款通过积极信息传递和量身定制的简短励志谈话（即打气谈话）来减轻日常压力的自助应用程序的可行性和有效性。
通过社交媒体广告招募了总共166名参与者（n = 112，67.5%为女性；平均年龄38.48岁，标准差6.73岁），并将其随机分为干预组（Hey Lemonade应用程序加上使用多维情绪问卷[MDMQ]进行每日两次情绪监测）或积极对照组（每日两次情绪监测[MDMQ]）。在基线期（第1周）和终点（第4周）测量主要结局（应对自我效能感[CSE]；3个分量表）和次要结局（活力、生活满意度、感知压力、积极和消极情绪，以及麻烦和振奋事件）。在第2周评估应用程序评价问题。所有互动和测量均通过互联网和应用程序收集。
总共166名参与者中，125名（75.3%）完成了试验。两组之间的退出率没有差异（62/81，76%为干预组；63/85，74%为对照组）。活力和麻烦事件存在显著的组×时间交互作用，但CSE总分没有显著影响（P = 0.05）。对于干预组，从基线到第4周，活力（P = 0.002）、麻烦事件（P = 0.004）、CSE总分（P = 0.008）和CSE情绪分量表（P = 0.02）的变化具有显著性。对于对照组，4周内任何结局的变化均无显著性。MDMQ平静度存在显著的组×时间交互作用（P = 0.04）。到第4周时，干预组的平静度显著更高（P = 0.046）。在第2周时干预组的参与者中（n = 68），39名（57%）参与者推荐了该应用程序，41名（60%）参与者希望继续使用它。打气谈话和可定制语音选项是最受欢迎的功能。
在为期4周的试验中，按需使用智能手机应用程序的参与者在情绪健康指标方面有显著改善。更广泛地说，这表明简单易获取的解决方案可能会产生有意义的健康结果。这些变化是否能持续以及能否推广到其他人群组还有待确定。
澳大利亚和新西兰临床试验注册中心（ANZCTR）12622001005741；https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=384304&isReview=true。
