Researchers at the Polytechnic University of Valencia have designed a new app that allows doctors to remotely monitor a psychotic outpatient's mental state and improve overall adherence to treatment plans.
Using the app, the patient receives four types of message: reminders, mood updates, side effects and feelings towards the medication. The first message type, the reminder, alerts the patient that it is time to take their medication: "The alert doesn't necessarily have to coincide exactly with the time the medication needs to be taken, and there is also the option to ask the patient whether they took their last dose", says David Arce, researcher at the UPV. Meanwhile, the mood update message asks patients how they are feeling at that precise moment; the side effects message is made up of a set of questions to check whether the patient is experiencing any adverse reactions to the medication; and the final message type comprises a set of statements designed to ascertain how well the patient is accepting their treatment.
The authors say that the app is easy to be used, but they don't consider the cognitive impairment due to chronic psychosis. So, what do you think?
See also http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/303328.php
I suspect some people will find it intrusive while others will love it. Has there been a clinical trial?
You could find about at http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/303328.php
Dear Ricardo,
Thanks for your question and link.
Yes, it's possible for patients who are not so cognitively impaired to use the app. It would still require patience, support, education, and creativity with both the patients and their intimates.
There are other "apps...developed for use in conjunction with therapy or treatment with a medical or mental health professional. Two examples that are available for all operating systems are What’s Up? and Mentegram. Importantly these apps should only be used as an adjunct to psychotherapy and do not supplant face-to-face meetings with a mental health provider.
What’s Up?, developed by Jackson Tempra, is a free app that utilizes CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy) methods to help users cope with depression, anxiety, anger, stress, self-esteem and more. This app features sections that allow the user to note self-identified positive and negative habits and to track daily experiences via a diary function. Tools that target cognitive reframing and development of positive coping strategies are also included. Additionally, the app provides resources and tools to enhance psycho-education.
Mentegram is an app designed for use by health care, human services and research professionals. This app is HIPAA-compliant and allows for storing treatment plans, individualized questionnaires, treatment monitoring and more. This platform allows for the clinician to assign homework and review it upon completion. Practitioners can use this app to enhance the therapeutic relationship and treatment adherence. Although the app is free to download, in-app charges may apply. (Some apps offer additional content or services for purchase within the app). Feasibility of associated cost should be assessed before you use such features..."
Please click the link for more details.
http://www.apapracticecentral.org/update/2015/07-23/apps-daily.aspx
Dear Stephen,
Thank for your answer and such a great information. It will be very useful!
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