Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Mental Health
Date Submitted: Dec 11, 2022
Date Accepted: Feb 12, 2023
Effectiveness and feasibility of a self-guided mobile app targeting emotional wellbeing in healthy adults: A 4-week randomized controlled trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Commercial smartphone applications (apps) designed to promote emotional wellbeing are increasingly popular, but few have been empirically validated.
Objective:
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 (peps).
Methods:
166 participants (68.07% female; age: 38.48 ± 6.73 years) were randomised into an intervention (Hey Lemonade app plus twice daily mood monitoring using the Multi-Dimensional Mood Questionnaire [MDMQ]) or active control (twice daily mood monitoring [MDMQ]) group. Primary (Coping Self Efficacy [CSE]; three subscales) and secondary outcomes (Vitality, Satisfaction with Life [SWL], Perceived Stress [PSS], Positive and Negative Affect [PANAS], Hassles and Uplifts [HUS]), were measured pre- (week 0) and post-intervention (week 4). The app evaluation questions and were assessed at week 2.
Results:
125 (75.30%) participants completed the trial. There were significant group by time interactions for vitality and hassles, but no significant effect for CSE total (p=.052). 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=.019). For the control group, change over 4 weeks was not significant for any outcome. There was a significant group by time interaction for MDMQ calmness (p =.042). By week 4, calmness was significantly higher in the intervention group (p = .046). Of those in the intervention group at week 2 (n=68), 57.4% recommended the app and 60.3% (n=41) wanted to keep using it. The pep talks and customisable voice companions were the most popular features.
Conclusions:
Participants who accessed the smartphone application 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 wellbeing outcomes, but it is yet to be determined whether these changes are sustained and generalise to other population groups. Clinical Trial: ANZCTR:12622001005741 https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=384304&isReview=true
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