The purpose of this study is to evaluate the acceptability and efficacy of a self-guided behavioral health tool delivered by mobile app (called "Renew") for people who are experiencing symptoms of posttraumatic stress. This study also aims to determine the necessity of coaching support over and above support from peers, shedding light on the critical question of level of support resources needed to maintain mHealth app engagement.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
100
Renew is a behavioral health self-management app/too that focuses on three core activities: 1) in vivo exposure (to help participants approach safe situations they have been avoiding that they want to feel comfortable in), 2) expressive writing (to help participants emotionally process trauma memories), and 3) Self-Care exercises (designed to promote behavioral activation, social connectedness and relaxation; includes a breathing relaxation tool). Users have access to psychoeducation via a whiteboard video and short texts as well as Motivation content (quotes, videos, images, and songs) related to confronting challenges and overcoming fears. For each exercise that is completed, the user earns points that are connected to levels and visually reinforcing images (i.e., a growing tree).
VA Palo Alto Healthcare System
Menlo Park, California, United States
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder CheckList for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - 5 (PCL-5; Weathers, et al., 2013)
Self report measure of PTSD symptoms. A total symptom severity score (range - 0-80) can be obtained by summing the scores for each of the 20 items. Higher scores indicate greater PTSD severity.
Time frame: Approximately 10-weeks after participant enrollment
Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9; Kroenke, Spitzer, & Williams, 2001)
Self report measure of depression symptoms. It is the 9-item measure that yields a total score of 0-27, with higher scores indicating greater depressive symptom severity.
Time frame: Approximately 10-weeks after participant enrollment
A PTSD coping self-efficacy measure, developed following Bandura's (2006) guidelines
Self report measure of PTSD coping self-efficacy. It is a 10-item measure that yields a total score of 0-1000, with higher scores indicating greater coping self-efficacy.
Time frame: Approximately 10-weeks after participant enrollment
Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet, & Farley, (1988)
Self report measure of perceived social support. It is a 12-item measure that yields a total score of 12-84, with higher scores indicating greater perceived social support.
Time frame: Approximately 10-weeks after participant enrollment
Perceived helpfulness of Renew
Phone interview to assess perceived helpfulness of Renew. This is a qualitative measure.
Time frame: Approximately 6-weeks after participant enrollment
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