A qualitative study of a blended therapy using problem solving therapy with a customised smartphone app in men who present to hospital with intentional self-harm.

Blended therapy is the integration of internet-based treatment and psychotherapy in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. It has been described as ' any possible combination of regular face-to-face treatments and web-based interventions ' .1 Several systematic reviews have examined the partial replacement of face-to-face therapy with web-based technologies.2 –4 Yet there have been few descriptions of instances where internet-based therapies supplement or augment face-to-face therapy to create a new treatment rather than simply replacing face-to-face treatment with variable degrees of inperson support. This approach to blended therapy attempts to incre ase the depth, reach and nature of traditional face-to-face treatment. A 2016 review of mental health smartphone applications recommended the integration of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-based features when developing applications.5 The smartphone ' s facility for establishing, rewarding and reinforcing behavioural change is also cited as a significant advantage of this technology in the context of mental health.6 Tang and Kreindler suggest that mobile applications may support homework compliance for CBT treatment when the application is congruent with therapy, fosters learning, incorporates guided therapy, inspires connection building, emphasises completion and is population specific.7 This is especially important in the care of men with mental illness, with evidence suggesting that males may be particularly responsiv...
Source: Current Awareness Service for Health (CASH) - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news