Background
“Homework assignments,” a critical element of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for depression, are a means of CBT skill generalization and maintenance. Yet, homework adherence is often low. We developed CBT MobileWork,© a smartphone application (app) to promote CBT skills practice “as-needed.”
Methods
We applied a user-centered design in a laboratory setting with 8 depressed patients and 5 therapists for the initial development and testing. We then completed a real-world evaluation of CBT MobileWork© with 15 depressed patients in CBT and their therapists. This report details the prototype development, presents data evaluating feasibility and usability in the lab and real-world, and presents preliminary findings of associated measures.
Results
Our data indicates that both patients and therapists reported high levels of satisfaction and rated the application highly usable during testing in both controlled laboratory and under real-world conditions. A moderate association between app use and reductions in depression was found.
Conclusions
CBT MobileWork© has preliminary feasibility for CBT skills practice and may benefit patients with CBT homework completion.