Digital mental and behavioral health interventions have potential to significantly improve accessibility for the large number of breast cancer survivors who need treatments. However, the landscape of digital interventions tested in this population remains limited, with the few that have been tested primarily focused on reducing symptoms of mental disorders. This is problematic given the range of psychosocial needs among breast cancer survivors, including those who may not have active mental health symptoms, yet could benefit from learning effective coping skills. Digital health interventions delivered through smartphones have strong potential to improve access to care for the large number of breast cancer survivors who need mental and behavioral health support. There is a need to evaluate a range of supportive interventions that target different aspects of mental health, including negative thinking, coping skills, and knowledge. Our research team has previously tested individual digital interventions in relatively small samples, and found that they were effective in reducing mood symptoms among women with breast cancer. The ultimate goal of this project is to evaluate how integrating these interventions into a single 8-week long app program affects mood and overall mental health in breast cancer survivors. The digital micro-interventions to be tested in this study are brief interventions that target specific behavioral and cognitive mechanisms of mental health. These include skills such as reducing negative thinking patterns, increasing knowledge of mental health factors, fostering a grateful outlook, promoting the practice of relaxation breathing, savoring positive memories, and acceptance-based mindfulness approaches.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
44
Digital Micro-Interventions are brief interventions that target specific behavioral and cognitive mechanisms of mental health, designed for brief periods of engagement.
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
Anxiety Symptoms
7 item scale that measures anxiety symptoms on a continuous scale. Scores range from 0-21, with a higher score indicating greater severity of symptoms of anxiety.
Time frame: Baseline
Anxiety Symptoms
7 item scale that measures anxiety symptoms on a continuous scale. Scores range from 0-21, with a higher score indicating greater severity of symptoms of anxiety.
Time frame: Post 8-week Intervention
Depression symptoms
8 item scale that measures depression symptoms on a continuous scale. Scores range from 0-24, with a higher score indicating greater severity of symptoms of depression.
Time frame: Baseline
Depression symptoms
8 item scale that measures depression symptoms on a continuous scale. Scores range from 0-24, with a higher score indicating greater severity of symptoms of depression.
Time frame: Post 8-week Intervention
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.