Enhancing Delivery of Problem Solving Therapy Using SmartPhone Technology

Access and engagement in evidence-based psychotherapies for Veterans are high priorities for the Veterans Health Administration, especially the Office of Rural Health and the office of Mental Health Services. SmartPhone applications are an emerging technology with a vast potential to extend the reach of traditional in-person psychotherapy by allowing increased digital access to providers and self-management tools. Due to the relatively recent development of this technology, there are no data on the effectiveness of SmartPhone-delivered psychotherapy. Preliminary data on acceptability and satisfaction are promising, suggesting a need for further research. The National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in collaboration with the National Center for Telehealth & Technology (T2) recently completed the development of an app called Moving Forward, a Veteran-friendly adaptation of Problem Solving Therapy, an evidence based therapy available through Primary Care Integration Clinics. In partnership with Mental Health Services, this proposed pilot project will gather preliminary data on the effectiveness and acceptability of Moving Forward and provide timely feedback to the app creators. Participants will include approximately 40 Veterans diagnosed with an anxiety or mood disorder interested in obtaining mental health treatment in Primary Care -Mental Health Integration. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either Problem Solving Therapy augmented by the Moving Forward app or Problem Solving Therapy alone. Participants will complete assessments at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks. Investigators propose 3 specific hypotheses. In hypothesis 1, investigators predict a moderate effect size will be observed when comparing homework completion and satisfaction for patients randomized to Problem Solving Therapy plus the Moving Forward app compared to patients randomized to Problem Solving Therapy alone. In hypothesis 2, investigators predict a moderate effect size will be observed when comparing change scores on the problem solving style for patients randomized to Problem Solving Therapy plus the Moving Forward app compared to patients randomized to Problem Solving Therapy alone. In hypothesis 3, investigators predict a moderate effect size will be observed when comparing depression, anxiety, stress and quality of life change for patients randomized to Problem Solving Therapy plus the Moving Forward app compared to patients randomized to Problem Solving Therapy alone. Key informant interviews will provide qualitative feedback on the Moving Forward app which investigators will share with our partners at Mental Health Services. The proposed project is important to the VA mission to improve access for all Veterans particularly those who face barriers to engagement in traditional face-to-face treatment. The proposed research addresses one of three primary focus areas of the Office of Research and Development (Access), two of Health Services Research &Development's research priorities (Access/Rural Health and Mental Health), and three of Secretary Shinseki's Transformational Initiatives for the 21st Century including improving: 1) access to care, 2) mental health, and 3) patient-centeredness. This proposed work is innovative as it focuses on a rapidly emerging mobile technology that has great potential to improve access and engagement in mental health service delivery. To date, there have been no randomized effectiveness trials that have examined SmartPhone apps for mental health service delivery. The project is also timely as there is a temporary moratorium (imposed by the Office of Information Technology) on app dissemination within Veterans Health Administration, presenting an opportunity to study Moving Forward prior to its release. At the completion of this project, investigators expect that the work proposed in this study will highlight the clinical value of the Moving Forward app, which will inform both VA policy makers and the scientific community at large about the utility of SmartPhone technology in mental health care delivery. Investigators also expect that this study will provide our partners at Mental Health Services with helpful feedback on the Moving Forward app design and future app development.