BACKGROUND

Understanding how individuals utilize and perceive digital mental health interventions may improve engagement and effectiveness. To support intervention improvement, participant feedback was obtained and app use patterns were examined for a randomized clinical trial evaluating a smartphone-based intervention for individuals with bipolar disorder.

METHODS

App use and coaching engagement were examined (n = 124). Feedback was obtained via exit questionnaires (week 16, n = 81) and exit interviews (week 48, n = 17).

RESULTS

On average, over 48 weeks, participants used the app for 4.4 h and engaged with the coach for 3.9 h. Participants spent the most time monitoring target behaviors and receiving adaptive feedback and the least time viewing self-assessments and skills. Participants reported that the daily check in helped increase awareness of target behaviors but expressed frustration with repetitiveness of monitoring and feedback content. Participants liked personalizing their wellness plan, but its use did not facilitate skills practice. App use declined over time which participants attributed to clinical stability, content mastery, and time commitment. Participants found the coaching supportive and motivating for app use.

LIMITATIONS

App engagement based on viewing time may overestimate engagement. The delay between intervention delivery and the exit interviews and low exit interview participation may introduce bias.

CONCLUSION

Utilization patterns and feedback suggest that digital mental health engagement and efficacy may benefit from adaptive personalization of targets monitored combined with adaptive monitoring and feedback to support skills practice and development. Increasing engagement with supports may also be beneficial.