An mHealth intervention for the treatment of patients with an eating disorder: A multicenter randomized controlled trial

Objective: The current multicentre randomized controlled trial assessed the clinicalefficacy of a combined mHealth intervention for eating disorders (EDs) based on cog-nitive behavioral therapy (CBT).Method: A total of 106 ED patients from eight different public and private mentalhealth services in Spain were randomly assigned to two parallel groups. Patients ofthe experimental group (N = 53) received standard face-to-face CBT plus a mobileintervention through an application called “TCApp,” which provides self-monitoringand an online chat with the therapist. The control group (N = 53) received standard face-to-face CBT only. Patients completed self-report questionnaires on ED symp-tomatology, anxiety, depression, and quality of life, before and after treatment.Results: Significant reductions in primary and secondary outcomes were observedfor participants of both groups, with no differences between groups. Results alsosuggested that the frequency with which patients attended their referral mentalhealth institution after the intervention was lower for patients in the experimentalgroup than for those in the control group.Discussion: The current study showed that CBT can help to reduce symptoms relat-ing to ED, regardless of whether its delivery includes online components in additionto traditional face-to-face treatment. Besides, the additional component offered bythe TCApp does not appear to be promising from a purely therapeutic perspectivebut perhaps as a cost-effective tool, reducing thus the costs and time burden associ-ated with weekly visits to health professionals.The current study is part of a broader project titled “mHealth: Chal-lenges and opportunities for health systems” which receives funding from RecerCaixa of “La Caixa” Foundation.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Disseny i construcció d’un estany solar amb gradient salí

En aquest projecte s’estudia el comportament d’un estany solar amb gradient salí tant a nivell teòric com pràctic. Com a anàlisi previ es fa un estat de l’art de la tecnologia, tenint en compte les diferents experiències dutes a terme arreu del món, tant teòriques com pràctiques, per tal d’extreure’n el coneixement per a la construcció, posta en marxa i control d’una planta experimental a les instal·lacions de Solvay Martorell. Les diferents aplicacions dels estanys solars s’han estudiat àmpliament i es tenen en compte en el present projecte, fent-se així una recerca de les múltiples possibilitats d’aplicació d’aquesta tecnologia en termes mediambientals i industrials. La construcció d’aquesta planta pilot suposa un avanç tecnològic important i és una novetat a nivell europeu. El coneixement de la tecnologia i el control de la planta pilot és un pas tecnològic considerable en el camp de les energies renovables pel fet de la novetat de la tecnologia i la complexitat d’aquesta. La planta experimental a escala planta pilot obre les portes a la implantació dels estanys solars com a tecnologia capaç de captar i emmagatzemar energia solar que desprès es pot aprofitar com a energia tèrmica per processos de baixa temperatura en indústries amb un excedent de sal (p.e. dessalinitzadores), o com a emmagatzemadors d’energia tèrmica. En major grau, l’energia emmagatzemada es pot transformar en energia elèctrica sempre que les dimensions de l’estany solar siguin considerables. Aquest projecte posiciona els solar ponds com a nova font d’energia renovable ambientalment favorable ja que usa com a “producte” un residu, i s’afegeix a la llista de les tecnologies de producció d’energia amb baixes emissions d’efecte hivernacle, fent així un pas més en la possible implantació d’aquestes energies al mercat

Disseny i construcció d’un estany solar amb gradient salí

En aquest projecte s’estudia el comportament d’un estany solar amb gradient salí tant a nivell teòric com pràctic. Com a anàlisi previ es fa un estat de l’art de la tecnologia, tenint en compte les diferents experiències dutes a terme arreu del món, tant teòriques com pràctiques, per tal d’extreure’n el coneixement per a la construcció, posta en marxa i control d’una planta experimental a les instal·lacions de Solvay Martorell. Les diferents aplicacions dels estanys solars s’han estudiat àmpliament i es tenen en compte en el present projecte, fent-se així una recerca de les múltiples possibilitats d’aplicació d’aquesta tecnologia en termes mediambientals i industrials. La construcció d’aquesta planta pilot suposa un avanç tecnològic important i és una novetat a nivell europeu. El coneixement de la tecnologia i el control de la planta pilot és un pas tecnològic considerable en el camp de les energies renovables pel fet de la novetat de la tecnologia i la complexitat d’aquesta. La planta experimental a escala planta pilot obre les portes a la implantació dels estanys solars com a tecnologia capaç de captar i emmagatzemar energia solar que desprès es pot aprofitar com a energia tèrmica per processos de baixa temperatura en indústries amb un excedent de sal (p.e. dessalinitzadores), o com a emmagatzemadors d’energia tèrmica. En major grau, l’energia emmagatzemada es pot transformar en energia elèctrica sempre que les dimensions de l’estany solar siguin considerables. Aquest projecte posiciona els solar ponds com a nova font d’energia renovable ambientalment favorable ja que usa com a “producte” un residu, i s’afegeix a la llista de les tecnologies de producció d’energia amb baixes emissions d’efecte hivernacle, fent així un pas més en la possible implantació d’aquestes energies al mercat

Cost-effectiveness of the mobile application TCApp combined with face-to-face CBT treatment compared to face-to-face CBT treatment alone for patients with an eating disorder: study protocol of a multi-centre randomised controlled trial

The clinical utility of the existing apps for people with eating disorders (EDs) is not clear. The TCApp has been specifically developed for people with EDs, is based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Treatment (CBT) and allows a bidirectional link between the patient and the therapist. The objectives of the study are, first, to assess the clinical efficacy of a combined intervention for Eating Disorders (EDs) that includes an online intervention through the TCApp plus standard face-to-face CBT in comparison to standard face-to-face CBT alone, and second, to examine the cost-effectiveness of the TCApp and identify potential predicting, moderating and mediating variables that promote or hinder the implementation of the TCApp in ED units in Spain. The study methodology is that of a randomised controlled trial combining qualitative and quantitative methods, with a 6-month follow-up. Approximately 250 patients over 12 years old with a diagnosis of an ED from several ED units in Spain will be randomised to one of two different conditions. Participants, their caregivers, healthcare professionals and technical staff involved in the development and maintenance of the application will be assessed at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1) and at 6 months follow-up (T2). Primary outcome measures will include ED symptomatology while secondary measures will include general psychopathology and quality of life for patients, quality of life and caregiving experience for family caregivers and adoption-related variables for all participants involved, such as perceived usability, user's satisfaction and technology acceptance. For the cost-effectiveness analysis, we will assess quality-adjusted life years (QALYs); total societal cost will be estimated using costs to patients and the health plan, and other related costs

An mHealth intervention for the treatment of patients with an eating disorder:A multicenter randomized controlled trial

Objective The current multicentre randomized controlled trial assessed the clinical efficacy of a combined mHealth intervention for eating disorders (EDs) based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Method A total of 106 ED patients from eight different public and private mental health services in Spain were randomly assigned to two parallel groups. Patients of the experimental group (N = 53) received standard face-to-face CBT plus a mobile intervention through an application called "TCApp," which provides self-monitoring and an online chat with the therapist. The control group (N = 53) received standard face-to-face CBT only. Patients completed self-report questionnaires on ED symptomatology, anxiety, depression, and quality of life, before and after treatment. Results Significant reductions in primary and secondary outcomes were observed for participants of both groups, with no differences between groups. Results also suggested that the frequency with which patients attended their referral mental health institution after the intervention was lower for patients in the experimental group than for those in the control group. Discussion The current study showed that CBT can help to reduce symptoms relating to ED, regardless of whether its delivery includes online components in addition to traditional face-to-face treatment. Besides, the additional component offered by the TCApp does not appear to be promising from a purely therapeutic perspective but perhaps as a cost-effective tool, reducing thus the costs and time burden associated with weekly visits to health professionals

An mHealth

Objective The current multicentre randomized controlled trial assessed the clinical efficacy of a combined mHealth intervention for eating disorders (EDs) based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Method A total of 106 ED patients from eight different public and private mental health services in Spain were randomly assigned to two parallel groups. Patients of the experimental group (N = 53) received standard face-to-face CBT plus a mobile intervention through an application called "TCApp," which provides self-monitoring and an online chat with the therapist. The control group (N = 53) received standard face-to-face CBT only. Patients completed self-report questionnaires on ED symptomatology, anxiety, depression, and quality of life, before and after treatment. Results Significant reductions in primary and secondary outcomes were observed for participants of both groups, with no differences between groups. Results also suggested that the frequency with which patients attended their referral mental health institution after the intervention was lower for patients in the experimental group than for those in the control group. Discussion The current study showed that CBT can help to reduce symptoms relating to ED, regardless of whether its delivery includes online components in addition to traditional face-to-face treatment. Besides, the additional component offered by the TCApp does not appear to be promising from a purely therapeutic perspective but perhaps as a cost-effective tool, reducing thus the costs and time burden associated with weekly visits to health professionals