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Perceptions and Experiences of Renew: an Exposure-Based Mobile App for Posttraumatic Stress

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Abstract

Mobile mental health (mHealth) applications could increase access to psychological care for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but very few applications for PTSD include evidence-based intervention strategies. We examine perceptions of and experiences using Renew—an exposure-based mHealth application for symptoms of PTSD. Veterans with clinically significant symptoms of PTSD (N = 93) and access to an Android smartphone were invited to use Renew for 6 weeks and then completed a semi-structured qualitative feedback interview. Veterans predominately identified as non-Hispanic (89.2%), White (63.4%), and as cisgender women (68.8%). Self-report surveys assessing PTSD severity, COVID-19 stress, and the perceived helpfulness of Renew were completed pre- and post-treatment. A research dashboard collected total time spent in Renew. Identified qualitative themes included the following: General Satisfaction, Challenges to Use, Specific Functions Appreciated, Positive Impact on Functioning, Appraisal for On-Demand Care, and Relationship to In-Person Therapy. 94.29% of participants self-reported satisfaction with Renew, and 37.36% of participants experienced greater than a 10-point reduction in PCL-5 scores. A joint display contains mixed methods interpretations of the qualitative themes and relevant quantitative data. Renew was perceived as an acceptable form of mental health management and may have unique benefits compared to in-person therapy in terms of privacy, control, and accessibility. Participants who engaged in the exposure components perceived them as challenging but therapeutically beneficial. A perceived lack of support, accountability, and trust with the application were identified challenges.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, 365 5Th Ave, New York, NY, 10016, USA

    Madeleine L. Miller

  2. National Center for PTSD, Dissemination and Training Division, VA , Palo Alto Health Care System, 795 Willow Road, Menlo Park, 94025, USA

    C. Adrian Davis & Carmen P. McLean

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA, 94305-5717, USA

    Carmen P. McLean

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  1. Madeleine L. Miller
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Correspondence to Madeleine L. Miller.

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The views expressed herein are solely those of the authors and do not reflect an endorsement by or the official policy or position of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the US Government. This material is the result of work supported with resources and the use of facilities at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. The Stanford Institutional Review Board approved all study procedures.

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Miller, M.L., Davis, C.A. & McLean, C.P. Perceptions and Experiences of Renew: an Exposure-Based Mobile App for Posttraumatic Stress. J. technol. behav. sci. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41347-023-00358-7

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