A pilot study for a smartphone app for the prevention of depression in non-professional caregivers

Abstract

Objectives

The main objective of the current study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a cognitive-behavioral prevention intervention administered through a smartphone app in non-professional caregivers with symptoms of depression. The secondary objective was to make a preliminary evaluation of its effectiveness either alone or supplemented with telephone conference calls.

Methods

Eighty-seven participants (M_age = 51.8 years) were randomly assigned to an app-based cognitive–behavioral intervention (CBIA; n = 29), CBIA supplemented with telephone conference calls (CBIA + CC; n = 28), or an attention control group (ACG; n = 30). The participants for both interventions received five cognitive–behavioral modules through the app, and those in CBIA + CC an additional 30-minute phone call in each module.

Results

3.4% of caregivers dropped out. In all groups, the number of modules completed was high. Participants completed a high percentage of the homework and were highly satisfied with both CBIA and CBIA + CC. At post-intervention, there was a lower incidence of depression and depressive symptoms for CBIA + CC compared with CBIA, and for CBIA and CBIA + CC compared with ACG.

Conclusion

The results supported the feasibility and acceptability of the cognitive-behavioral intervention, and demonstrated that telephone contact improves its effectiveness.

Keywords:

• Pilot study
• smartphone app
• prevention
• depression
• non-professional caregivers
• feasibility
• acceptability

Acknowledgements

Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Project PSI2016-79041).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.