Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Aug 19, 2022
Date Accepted: Nov 3, 2022
The PTSD Family Coach App in Veteran Family Members: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among U.S. military veterans can adversely impact their concerned significant others (CSOs; e.g., family, romantic partners). Mobile apps can be tailored to support CSO mental health with psychoeducation, coping skills, and stress monitoring.
Objective:
The present study assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of PTSD Family Coach 1.0, a free, publicly available app for CSOs of veterans with PTSD.
Methods:
Two hundred participants who were an average of 39 years old (SD = 8.44), primarily female (97%), and White (80%) were randomized to self-guided use of either PTSD Family Coach 1.0 (n = 104) or a psychoeducation-only app (n = 96) for four weeks. Caregiver burden, stress, depression, anxiety, beliefs about treatment, and relationship functioning were assessed via web survey at baseline and posttreatment. User satisfaction and app helpfulness were assessed at posttreatment.
Results:
101 (50.5%) randomized participants used their allocated app. Participants found PTSD Family Coach 1.0 somewhat satisfying to use (M=4.88, SD=1.11) and moderately helpful (M=2.99, SD=0.97). Linear mixed effects models revealed no significant differences in outcomes by condition. Post hoc analyses collapsing across conditions revealed a significant between-groups effect on stress for app users versus nonusers (beta = -3.62, t(281)=-2.27, P=.023).
Conclusions:
Although participants found PTSD Family Coach 1.0 acceptable, suboptimal app use suggests limitations to this version’s feasibility. App use regardless of condition was associated with reduced stress.
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