IntroductionTo optimize treatment, it is of utmost importance to take into account the myriad of biological, social, and psychological changes that young people go through during adolescence which make them more vulnerable for developing mental health problems. Biocueing, a non-invasive method to transform physiological parameters into an observable signal, could strengthen stress- and emotion regulation by cueing physiologically unusual values in daily life. The aim of this study is to investigate the usability, feasibility, and exploratory effect of biocueing in addition to ENgage YOung people earlY (ENYOY), a moderated digital social therapy-platform, in young people with emerging mental health complaints.MethodsA user-centered mixed-method design was used. A focus group was conducted to optimize the ENYOY-platform and biocueing intervention. Biocueing was operationalized by a smartwatch and the Sense-IT app. A within-subjects design was used; 10 days for all participants ‘biofeedback off' (control), followed by 10 days ‘biofeedback on' (experimental). Emotional awareness and perceived stress were measured using ecological momentary assessment. Eight individuals participated. User-friendliness, usability, and acceptance were assessed using a qualitative design.ResultsFindings from the focus group resulted in several adaptations of the biocueing intervention to the ENYOY-platform and vice versa. The average measurement compliance rate was 78.8%. Level-one findings showed different individual effects on perceived stress and emotional awareness. Level-two analyses showed no overall effects on perceived stress (B = −0.020, p = 0.562) and overall positive effects on emotional awareness (B = 0.030, p = 0.048) with small effect sizes (Improvement Rate Difference = 0.05–0.35). The intervention was found to be acceptable and showed moderate usability. Participants indicated they experienced improvements in reflection on feelings and changes in behavior, such as pausing and evaluating the situation.ConclusionThese preliminary results show that biocueing could be a promising addition to digital treatment platforms and help young people become more emotionally aware. Improvements should be made regarding the usability and acceptability of the smartwatch, as well as more extensive integration of the biocueing intervention with a digital treatment platform. It would be relevant to gain a better understanding of which individuals would benefit most from an additional biocueing intervention.

IntroductionOver 25% of Dutch young people are psychologically unhealthy. Individual and societal consequences that follow from having mental health complaints at this age are substantial. Young people need care which is often unavailable. ENgage YOung people earlY (ENYOY) is a moderated digital social therapy-platform that aims to help youngsters with emerging mental health complaints. Comprehensive research is being conducted into the effects and to optimize and implement the ENYOY-platform throughout the Netherlands. The aim of this study is to explore the usability and user experience of the ENYOY-platform.MethodsA user-centered mixed-method design was chosen. 26 young people aged 16–25 with emerging mental health complaints participated. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore usability, user-friendliness, impact, accessibility, inclusivity, and connection (Phase 1). Phase 2 assessed usability problems using the concurrent and retrospective Think Aloud-method. User experience and perceived helpfulness were assessed using a 10-point rating scale and semi-structured interviews (Phase 3). The Health Information Technology Usability Evaluation Scale (Health-ITUES; Phase 1) and System Usability Scale (SUS; Phase 2 and 3) were administered. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Task completion rate and time were tracked and usability problems were categorized using the Nielsen's rating scale (Phase 2).ResultsAdequate to high usability was found (Phase 1 Health-ITUES 4.0(0.34); Phase 2 SUS 69,5(13,70); Phase 3 SUS 71,6(5,63)). Findings from Phase 1 (N = 10) indicated that users viewed ENYOY as a user-friendly, safe, accessible, and inclusive initiative which helped them reduce their mental health complaints and improve quality of life. Phase 2 (N = 10) uncovered 18 usability problems of which 5 of major severity (e.g. troubles accessing the platform). Findings from Phase 3 (N = 6) suggested that users perceived the coaching calls the most helpful [9(0.71)] followed by the therapy content [6.25(1.41)]. Users liked the social networking aspect but rated it least helpful [6(2.1)] due to inactivity.ConclusionThe ENYOY-platform has been found to have adequate to high usability and positive user experiences were reported. All findings will be transferred to the developmental team to improve the platform. Other evaluation methods and paring these with quantitative outcomes could provide additional insight in future research.

BACKGROUND To address the growing prevalence of youth mental health problems in the Netherlands, prevention and early intervention is crucial to minimize individual, societal, and economic impacts. Indicative prevention aims to target emerging mental health complaints before the onset of a full-blown disorder. By intervening at this early stage, fewer psychosocial and neurobiological consequences occur, and individuals are more responsive to treatment, resulting in cost-effective outcomes. The Moderated Online Social Therapy (MOST) platform, that was successfully implemented and proven effective in Australia, is a digital peer- and clinically moderated treatment platform designed for young people. The Netherlands is the first country outside Australia to implement this platform, under the name ENgage YOung people earlY (ENYOY) and it has the potential to reduce the likelihood of young people developing serious mental health disorders. OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to investigate the long-term outcomes in youngsters using the ENYOY-platform in relation to psychological distress, psychosocial functioning, and positive health parameters, such as quality of life. METHODS Dutch-speaking young people with emerging mental health complaints (N = 131) participated on the ENYOY-platform for six months in a longitudinal within-subjects study. Psychological distress, psychosocial functioning and positive health parameters were assessed at baseline, three-, six-, and 12-months. Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance was conducted and adjusted for age, gender, therapy- and community activity. Reliable Change Index (RCI) and Clinically Significant Index (CSI) were computed to compare baseline measurement with six-month and 12-month measurements. The missing data rate was 22.54% and drop-out rate 37%. RESULTS A total of N = 81youngster completed all measurements. Over time, psychological distress reduced, and psychosocial functioning improved with large effect sizes (both p < .001, ηp² =.239 and .318 respectively) independent of age, gender, therapy- and community activity (p > .05). Likewise, secondary analyses showed significant effects of time on positive health parameters quality of life, well-being, and meaningfulness (p < .05 and ηp² = .062, .140, and .121 respectively). Improvements were found between baseline, 3 and 6 months (p < .05) and sustained at 12-months follow-up (p > .05). RCI showed improvements in psychological distress for approximately 38% of cases, no change in 55%, and worsening in 6%. For psychosocial functioning, the percentages were 51%, 43%, and 6% respectively. CSI demonstrated clinically significant change in 76% of cases for distress and 90% for functioning. CONCLUSIONS This trial has demonstrated that the ENYOY-platform holds promise as a transdiagnostic intervention for addressing emerging mental health complaints among young people in the Netherlands and has laid the groundwork for further clinical research. Additionally, it would be of great relevance to expand the population on - and service delivery of the platform. CLINICALTRIAL Trial Register ID NL8966, retrospectively registered. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.1186/s12888-021-03315-x