26 Aug Study Shows Many Patients With Schizophrenia Can Use Mobile Phone Technology To Help Prevent Relapse

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Dror Ben Zeev

Dror Ben Zeev, PhD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Director, mHealth for Mental Health Program
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: We deployed a mobile phone intervention called FOCUS as part of a larger multi-component effort called Improving Care Reducing Costs (ICRC).

ICRC was the first technology-aided relapse prevention program of its kind for people with schizophrenia; a very exciting multi-state project funded by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) led by Dr. John Kane at the Zucker Hillside Hospital and a team of researchers from multiple institutions. Several other technological interventions were used in concert with mHealth, including a web intervention called Coping with Voices Developed by Dr. Jen Gottlieb and a Daily Support Website developed by Dr. Armando Rotondi. A truly multi-disciplinary effort designed to help prevent re-hospitalization in people with psychosis who were recently discharged from the hospital; this is a group that is at very high risk for relapse.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Response: The ICRC project PI Dr. Kane and the rest of our team is writing up the main clinical outcomes of the project now. The early mHealth findings show that 74% of people with schizophrenia were able to use the FOCUS smartphone intervention successfully 3-6 months following their discharge from the hospital. On average, they engaged on 82% of the weeks they had the mobile phone. Patients who used FOCUS for the entire length of the ICRC relapse prevention program used it on average 4.3 days a week.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: These findings are important because it debunks any misconceptions people may have about the ability or willingness of people with schizophrenia to use mHealth interventions.
Clearly, these individuals can and will engage in mHealth for long periods of time if given the opportunity.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:
JMIR Ment Health. 2016 Jul 27;3(3):e34. doi: 10.2196/mental.6348.
mHealth for Schizophrenia: Patient Engagement With a Mobile Phone Intervention Following Hospital Discharge.
Ben-Zeev D1, Scherer EA, Gottlieb JD, Rotondi AJ, Brunette MF, Achtyes ED, Mueser KT, Gingerich S, Brenner CJ, Begale M, Mohr DC, Schooler N,Marcy P, Robinson DG, Kane JM.

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

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Last Updated on August 26, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD