背景:重度抑郁症(MDD)的患病率构成了重大的全球健康挑战,与可用的治疗往往不足以实现许多患者的缓解。数字健康技术,如基于短信的认知行为疗法,提供可访问的替代方案,但可能无法覆盖所有个人。电子邮件通信为健康通信提供了一条安全的途径,然而,与SMS短信相比,其在为MDD患者提供心理健康支持方面的有效性仍不确定.
目的:本研究旨在比较电子邮件和短信作为支持MDD患者的交付平台的功效。解决在理解精神卫生保健的最佳数字干预方面的关键差距。
方法:进行了一项随机非劣效性试验,比较通过电子邮件接受6周每日支持信息的患者和通过SMS短信接受信息的患者的结局。此持续时间对应于邮件传递的最少180天。支持消息在两种传递方法中保持一致的长度和结构。参与者(N=66)从埃德蒙顿的Access24/7诊所招募,艾伯塔省,在那些被诊断为MDD的人中。使用患者健康问卷-9(PHQ-9)在基线和入组后6个月测量结果,广义焦虑症-7(GAD-7),和世界卫生组织福祉指数(WHO-5)。
结果:大多数参与者是女性(n=43,65%),年龄在26至40岁之间(n=34,55%),受过高中教育(n=35,58%),受雇(n=33,50%),和单身(n=24,36%)。再一次,大多数参与者没有任何重大身体疾病史(n=56,85%),并且(n=61,92%)对有心境障碍治疗入院史回答"否".电子邮件和SMS短信组之间的PHQ-9,GAD-7和WHO-5得分的平均变化没有统计学上的显着差异(平均差异,95%CI:-1.90,95%CI-6.53至2.74;5.78,95%CI-1.94至13.50;和11.85,95%CI-3.81至27.51),分别。两种支持方式都显示出减少抑郁症状和改善生活质量的潜力。
结论:研究结果表明,电子邮件和SMS短信干预措施在减轻MDD患者的抑郁症状方面具有同等效果。随着数字技术的不断发展,利用多个数字平台的力量进行心理健康干预可以显著有助于弥合现有的治疗差距,改善抑郁症患者的整体健康状况。需要更大的样本量进行进一步的研究,以确认和扩展这些发现。
背景:ClinicalTrials.govNCT04638231;https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8552095/。
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) poses significant global health challenges, with available treatments often insufficient in achieving remission for many patients. Digital health technologies, such as SMS text messaging-based cognitive behavioral therapy, offer accessible alternatives but may not reach all individuals. Email communication presents a secure avenue for health communication, yet its effectiveness compared to SMS text messaging in providing mental health support for patients with MDD remains uncertain.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the efficacy of email versus SMS text messaging as delivery platforms for supporting patients with MDD, addressing a critical gap in understanding optimal digital interventions for mental health care.
METHODS: A randomized noninferiority pilot trial was conducted, comparing outcomes for patients receiving 6-week daily supportive messages via email with those receiving messages via SMS text message. This duration corresponds to a minimum of 180 days of message delivery. The supportive messages maintained consistent length and structure across both delivery methods. Participants (N=66) were recruited from the Access 24/7 clinic in Edmonton, Alberta, among those who were diagnosed with MDD. The outcomes were measured at baseline and 6 months after enrollment using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and the World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5).
RESULTS: Most of the participants were females (n=43, 65%), aged between 26 and 40 years (n=34, 55%), had high school education (n=35, 58%), employed (n=33, 50%), and single (n=24, 36%). Again, most participants had had no history of any major physical illness (n=56, 85%) and (n=61, 92%) responded \"No\" to having a history of admission for treatment of mood disorders. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean changes in PHQ-9, GAD-7, and WHO-5 scores between the email and SMS text messaging groups (mean difference, 95% CI: -1.90, 95% CI -6.53 to 2.74; 5.78, 95% CI -1.94 to 13.50; and 11.85, 95% CI -3.81 to 27.51), respectively. Both supportive modalities showed potential in reducing depressive symptoms and improving quality of life.
CONCLUSIONS: The study\'s findings suggest that both email and SMS text messaging interventions have equivalent effectiveness in reducing depression symptoms among individuals with MDD. As digital technology continues to evolve, harnessing the power of multiple digital platforms for mental health interventions can significantly contribute to bridging the existing treatment gaps and improving the overall well-being of individuals with depressive conditions. Further research is needed with a larger sample size to confirm and expand upon these findings.
BACKGROUND: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04638231; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8552095/.