Betwixt: Effective/acceptable clinical population emotion regulation?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Is the Betwixt application effective and acceptable in improving emotion regulation for an adult clinical population?
IRAS ID
334141
Contact name
Jacob Andrews
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN00000000
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NA, NA
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 28 days
Research summary
This study aims to test the effectiveness and acceptability of Betwixt, a smartphone application aimed at improving emotion regulation. Emotion regulation is a transdiagnostic factor in most mental health disorders, which involves regulating positive and negative emotions and is dependent upon an individual’s personal goals.
Participants on the waiting list for a local Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service, will be recruited to the study. Their participation will take six to seven weeks (concurrent multiple baseline), whilst they are waiting for treatment with IAPT. This study entails a mixed method design, including a quantitative and a qualitative element.
The quantitative element will entail a single case experimental design (SCED) series whereby participants will take part in a two- or three-week baseline phase and they will complete three questionnaires (DERS-SF, PHQ-2, and GAD-2) on every other day. After this, every participant will take part in a four-week intervention phase whereby they will use the Betwixt intervention and complete these same measures every other day. They will also have weekly check-in calls to troubleshoot issues. Eight participants will be recruited for this part of the experiment. Six questionnaires (CER-Q, SCS, PHQ-9. GAD-7, SWEMWBS, and WSAS) will also be completed at the start and end of the intervention.
The qualitative element will entail semi-structured acceptability and change interviews to deduce the acceptability of Betwixt. Individuals who drop out will also be offered an interview and will be sent a survey if they do not respond to the interview request.
The statistical analysis will entail a visual analysis of time series data, calculating effect sizes, and simulation modelling analysis (SMA). The qualitative analysis will entail framework analysis.
REC name
London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0079
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jan 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion