HeartRater:Clinical

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  HeartRater:Clinical. Optimizing ADIE therapy for the treatment of anxiety in underserved populations

• IRAS ID

  333946

• Contact name

  Hugo Critchley

• Contact email

  h.critchley@bsms.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Sussex

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 3 months, 31 days

• Research summary

  We developed a novel, body-based therapy called “Aligning Dimensions of Interoceptive Experience”, or ADIE. ADIE can be particularly helpful for neurodivergent patients (e.g., autism or ADHD), or have a physical condition (e.g., chronic pain) that can make anxiety harder to control with current treatments.
  Through ADIE, patients improve awareness of their heartbeats and other aspects of bodily feelings. During therapy sessions, patients use a platform called “HeartRater:Clinical”. They wear a sensor that records their heartbeats. They complete different tasks on a tablet computer that gives them information about their heartbeats as part of the therapy. In a previous RCT, we showed that ADIE can reduce anxiety symptoms. However, the sensor technology that we used does not work well on people with darker skin or poor blood circulation, which can be very disruptive and makes ADIE not very inclusive.
  In this project, we want to test a new sensor technology, and find out if the new format will be liked and used by patients in a feasibility trial. In this trial, patients with anxiety can choose ADIE therapy over other standard therapies. Patients who are referred to Improving Access to Psychological Therapy/Talking Therapy (IAPT/TT) services with a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, or panic disorder will be offered to receive ADIE instead of what would otherwise be offered for these conditions. Participants who consent to being part of the trial will receive ADIE therapy either with an online therapist, or self-guided, at their home. We will then test if a therapist is needed, and how patients liked ADIE therapy delivered through HeartRater:Clinical. All trial participants will meet with a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) after therapy end and discuss if they feel they need further treatment. We will offer the participant to return to treatment as usual if necessary.

• REC name

  London - Dulwich Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  24/LO/0217

• Date of REC Opinion

  20 May 2024

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion