Video-based mobile health interventions for people with schizophrenia: Bringing the “pocket therapist” to life.

Abstract

Objective To examine whether video-based mHealth interventions are feasible, acceptable, understandable, and engaging to people with schizophrenia. Methods This study used a mixed methods design. Ten individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders were recruited for a month-long trial in which they used FOCUS-AV, a smartphone system that offers video and written intervention options. Participants completed post-trial measures and engaged in semi-structured interviews. Findings One participant dropped out. The remaining nine participants used intervention videos successfully. Participants responded to 67% of system-delivered prompts to engage FOCUS-AV, and 52% of FOCUS-AV use was initiated by the users. On average, participants used interventions six days a week, four times daily. Participants used video functions an average of 28 times. They chose video over written interventions on 67% of the times they used on-demand functions, but opted for written content 78% of the times they responded to pre-scheduled prompts. Clinician videos were rated as more personal, engaging, and helpful than written interventions. Video and written interventions were rated equally usable and understandable. Written interventions were rated as more favorable in letting users proceed at their own pace. Similarly to what is seen in live therapy, the communication style and demeanor of clinicians depicted in intervention videos reportedly affected participants' experience with treatment. Conclusions and Implications for Practice Video-based mHealth may be a feasible, usable, acceptable, and highly engaging method for flexible delivery of interventions to people with schizophrenia using mobile technology. Producing intervention videos is more time, labor, and cost intensive than generating written content, but participant feedback suggests there may be added value in this approach. Additional research will determine whether video-based mHealth interventions lead to better, faster, or more sustainable clinical gains.

Recovery After Psychosis: Qualitative Study of Service User Experiences of Lived Experience Videos on a Recovery-Oriented Website

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The WorkingWell Mobile Phone App for Individuals With Serious Mental Illnesses: Proof-of-Concept, Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study

“…Prior research has provided evidence of the penetration and use of mobile phones and mobile technology by individuals with mental illness [ 46 ]. In this study, participants—admittedly willing volunteers—seemed interested in using WorkingWell and generally put it to use.…”

Recovery After Psychosis: Qualitative Study of Service User Experiences of Lived Experience Videos on a Recovery-Oriented Website (Preprint)

“…One third of our participants only used SMART with the worker and close to 40% rarely or never used the internet to access health information. Additionally, privacy is likely to be an important consideration in regard to where people choose to view videos with mental health content [39]. Thus, watching videos with a worker may connect consumers to peers' experiences that they would be unlikely to access online themselves.…”