Engagement and acceptability of a digital programme for anxiety
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluating engagement and acceptability of ieso’s 6-week digital programme for adults experiencing symptoms of anxiety
IRAS ID
327897
Contact name
C Palmer
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Ieso Digital Health
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 2 days
Research summary
ieso is an NHS service provider available in over half of the integrated care systems (ICSs) in England, and nationwide across Scotland. We provide online, typed, therapist-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) via our online platform. With more than 600 fully qualified therapists, we have treated over 100,000 adults in the NHS over the past decade with excellent patient outcomes and experience.
To increase access to mental health support for patients with anxiety, we have developed a 6-week self-guided digital programme, IDH-DP2-001 (‘DP2’), delivered via a smartphone app, intended to alleviate anxiety symptoms. The programme uses a digital guide (similar to a chatbot) to deliver educational content about anxiety and techniques to help alleviate symptoms in an engaging way through typed conversation and interactive features, such as video and audio. The script our digital guide follows was written by our team of accredited clinicians and uses evidence-based cognitive and behavioural therapy principles. The programme also includes a human clinical oversight and user support wrap-around service designed to enhance engagement, safety and potential clinical benefit.
This study is designed to understand whether patients experiencing symptoms of generalised anxiety find ieso’s digital programme engaging and acceptable. We aim to understand: 1) how participants engage with the programme; 2) whether participants use the programme as intended; and 3) whether the programme meets their needs. We also aim to understand the study feasibility for future clinical trial design and generate preliminary safety and efficacy data.
We will invite patients with anxiety who are referred to ieso’s therapy service either through an NHS trust or self-referral to participate. We will also recruit through online advertisements or email. A clinician will assess eligibility, obtain informed consent, and monitor participant progress. Participants will be asked to download the app on their own smartphone to complete the programme.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
23/WS/0081
Date of REC Opinion
14 Jul 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion