Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Mental Health
Date Submitted: Feb 14, 2023
Date Accepted: Jun 8, 2023
Evaluating a Smartphone App to Support the Mental Health of UK Armed Forces Veterans (MeT4VeT): A Randomised Controlled Feasibility Trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Previous research demonstrates that less than 50% of military veterans experiencing mental health difficulties seek formal support. Veterans often struggle to identify problems as mental health difficulties. In addition, they may fail to recognise the need for support before reaching a crisis point and face difficulties navigating care pathways to access support.
Objective:
A feasibility trial was conducted to assess a novel digital smartphone app (MeT4VeT) for UK Armed Forces (UKAF) veterans experiencing mental health difficulties. The trial aimed to explore the feasibility and acceptability of trial procedures for a later randomised controlled trial (RCT) and to assess the acceptability of the MeT4VeT app.
Methods:
Participants were recruited between February and November 2021 and assessed for eligibility (male; owned a smartphone; served at least two years in the UKAF; left the UKAF within the last two years; not undertaking formal mental health treatment). Eligible participants were assigned on a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group (full app, n=24) or a control group (non-interactive app with signposting information, n=26). Three key objectives were determined a priori to assess the practicality of running a RCT including an assessment of recruitment and retention; evaluation of the technical app delivery and measurement processes; acceptability and usability of the intervention.
Results:
The trial was effective at enabling both the technical delivery of the intervention and collection of outcome measures, with improvements in mental health demonstrated in the intervention group from baseline to follow-up. Recruitment and retention challenges were highlighted with only 50 of 530 eligible participants enrolled in the trial. The acceptability and usability of the MeT4VeT app were generally supported and it was reported to be a useful, accessible way for veterans to monitor and manage their mental health.
Conclusions:
The results highlighted that further work is needed to refine recruitment processes and maintain engagement with the app. Following this, a RCT can be considered to robustly assess the ability of the app to positively affect mental health outcomes indicated within this trial.
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