PTSD Coach Sweden: A Self-Management App for Trauma-Related Symptoms : A RCT study protocol evaluating a self-help app for posttraumatic stress in a Swedish community sample

• Background: Resources to administer evidence-based care for PTSD and trauma-related complications are scarce, especially in particular geographical areas, during mass casualty situations and for individuals with subclinical symptoms as clinics prioritize more severe cases. Effective interventions for PTSD through technical platforms could disseminate information and self-management strategies to decrease individual suffering and societal costs. Assessment at multiple time points can elucidate which aspects of an intervention that are effective, in addition to the evolution of intervention use and well-being over time. Objective: Evaluate an app-administered self-help intervention (PTSD Coach Sweden) aiming to reduce and manage PTSD symptoms and other related complications. Method: In this trial, 200 participants from Sweden who have experienced a traumatic event in the past two years and who report posttraumatic stress symptoms will be randomized to three months use of the app or waitlist. The primary endpoint is self-rated PTSD symptom severity at three months, with follow-up at six and nine months. Secondary outcomes include depressive symptoms, physical symptoms, functional impairment and health care use. Ecological momentary assessment of health status and use of strategies corresponding to app content is used for 21 days during the first three months.Results: Lessons learned and recommendations from the preparations of app-based intervention trials are presented. Available data from the primary endpoint are presented. Conclusions: App-based interventions hold promise to increase outreach, but further trials are needed. Several challenges introduced when preparing an app-based intervention are discussed.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Psykiatri (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Psychiatry (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

PTSD

posttraumatic stress

app intervention

Psychiatry

Psykiatri

Psychology

Psykologi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)