Conclusions/limitations
- Findings show this app could potentially be a cost-effective and easily accessible option for patients who cannot receive standard treatment for eating disorders.
- Limitations: The overall posttest attrition rate was 35%.
2. Christoforou M, Sáez Fonseca JA, Tsakanikos E. Two novel cognitive behavioral therapy–based mobile apps for agoraphobia: randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res. 2017;19(11):e398. doi:10.2196/jmir.7747
CBT is generally the most accepted first-line treatment for agoraphobia. However, numerous barriers to obtaining CBT can prevent successful treatment. Limited research has evaluated the efficacy of apps for treating agoraphobia. Christoforou et al6 conducted an RCT to determine the effectiveness of a self-guided smartphone app for improving agoraphobic symptoms, compared to a mobile app used to treat anxiety.
Study design
- Participants (N = 170) who self-identified as having agoraphobia were randomly assigned to use a smartphone app designed to target agoraphobia (Agoraphobia Free) or a smartphone app designed to help with symptoms of anxiety (Stress Free) for 12 weeks. Both apps were based on established cognitive behavioral principles.
- Assessment occurred at baseline, midpoint, and end point.
- The primary outcome was symptom severity as measured by the Panic and Agoraphobia Scale (PAS).
Outcomes
- Both groups experienced statistically significant improvements in symptom severity over time. The differences in PAS score were -5.97 (95% CI, -8.49 to -3.44, P < .001) for Agoraphobia Free and -6.35 (95% CI, -8.82 to -3.87, P < .001) for Stress Free.
- There were no significant between-group differences in symptom severity.
Continue to: Conclusions/limitations