The digital cumulative complexity model: a framework for improving engagement in digital mental health interventions

Workload-capacity imbalances and their impact on self-management complexity in patients with multimorbidity: a multicenter cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Multimorbidity is increasing globally, emphasizing the need for effective self-management strategies. The Cumulative Complexity Model (CuCoM) offers a unique perspective on understanding self-management based on workload and capacity. This study aims to validate the CuCoM in multimorbid patients and identify tailored predictors of self-management.

METHODS

This multicenter cross-sectional survey recruited 1920 multimorbid patients in five primary health centres and four hospitals in China. The questionnaire assessed workload (drug intake, doctor visits and follow-up, disruption in life, and health problems), capacity (social, environmental, financial, physical, and psychological), and self-management. Data were analyzed using latent profile analysis, chi-square, multivariate linear regression, and network analysis.

RESULTS

d Patients were classified into four profiles: low workload-low capacity (10.2%), high workload-low capacity (7.5%), low workload-high capacity (64.6%), and high workload-high capacity (17.7%). Patients with low workload and high capacity exhibited better self-management (β = 0.271, p < 0.001), while those with high workload and low capacity exhibited poorer self-management (β=-0.187, p < 0.001). Social capacity was the strongest predictor for all profiles. Environmental capacity ranked second for 'high workload-high capacity' (R² = 3.26) and 'low workload-low capacity' (R² = 5.32) profiles. Financial capacity followed for the 'low workload-high capacity' profile (R² = 5.40), while psychological capacity was key in the 'high workload-low capacity' profile (R² = 6.40). In the network analysis, socioeconomic factors exhibited the central nodes (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Personalized interventions designed to increase capacity and reduce workload are essential for improving self-management in multimorbid patients. Upstream policies promoting health equity are also crucial for better self-management outcomes.

Predicting clinical improvement in youth using a national-scale multicomponent digital mental health intervention

INTRODUCTION

Youth mental health services are characterised by high demand and modest clinical outcomes. While digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) have been shown to be clinically effective, the relationship between DMHI use and outcome is unclear. The current study sought to identify the factors affecting the relationship between DMHI use and depression and anxiety symptom improvement in sub-groups of young people.

METHOD

An observational cohort design included young people aged 12-25 years engaging with a DMHI (MOST) from October 2020 to October 2023. The primary outcome was improvement at 12 weeks on the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ4). DMHIs were combinations of self-paced digital cognitive-behavioural therapy content, social network interactions, and professional support. A machine learning clustering algorithm was used to identify distinct user clusters based on baseline characteristics and multiple logistic regression models examined the relationship between DMHI usage and improvement.

RESULTS

Two distinct user clusters emerged, differing by symptom severity, age, service setting, and concurrent external treatment. 46.7% of "Severe" users and 39.8% of "Mild-Moderate" users significantly improved. Greater use of therapy content and professional support interactions were associated with improvement for the Mild-Moderate group only (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.04-1.30, p = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

While a greater proportion of users in the Severe group significantly improved, increased MOST use was associated with symptom improvement only for the Mild-Moderate group. These findings highlight the complexity of the relationship between DMHI use and outcome. Other unmeasured mediating or moderating factors such concurrent 'offline' treatment may help explain the results. Further research is required to better understand the relationship between DMHI use and clinical outcomes.

Evaluation of additional resources and stories within therapist-assisted internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy for alcohol misuse

Background

Additional resources and stories are sometimes incorporated into Internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) for alcohol misuse to enhance treatment. Little is known, however, about how patients use and evaluate additional resources and stories, and how use and evaluation of additional resources and stories relates to satisfaction and outcomes.

Methods

We examined patient use and evaluation of 8 additional resources and 8 stories among 121 patients who endorsed significant alcohol misuse and were enrolled in a 6-lesson ICBT course for alcohol misuse enhanced with additional resources and stories. The additional resources addressed anger, assertiveness and communication, cannabis use, cognitive coping, grief, PTSD, sleep, and worry. Stories varied by gender, ethnicity, occupation, and severity of alcohol problems. Primary drinking outcomes included the Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB) and heavy drinking days (HDD). Diverse secondary outcomes (e.g., depression, anxiety, cravings, anger, satisfaction) were also assessed.

Results

Large within-group effects for TLFB and HDD were found. Large effects were also observed for depression and cravings, with high treatment satisfaction. 63 % of patients accessed at least one resource (M = 2.27 resources), with anger (35 %), cognitive coping (35 %), sleep (34 %) and worry (30 %) being the most used. When accessed, patients found resources informative and/or helpful to varying degrees (25-67 %). In terms of stories, 85 % of patients indicated they read the stories, and 89 % of those found them worthwhile; 65 % felt less alone and 55 % found they gave them skills to improve wellbeing. Increased use and positive ratings of additional resources were not significantly related to outcomes or satisfaction. However, positive ratings of stories were associated with confidence in managing symptoms and an interest in future treatment. Additionally, reading stories was associated with larger improvements on several secondary outcomes, including PTSD, anger, insomnia, and work and social adjustment.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that adding resources and stories to ICBT is acceptable and worthwhile. A significant number of patients reviewed these materials and found them informative and/or helpful, which suggests it is likely valuable to retain these resources for those in need. Reading stories and positive ratings of stories, rather than use and positive ratings of additional resources, was associated with increased satisfaction and some larger improvements on secondary outcomes. Further research is warranted to identify strategies that will more effectively engage patients with additional resources tailored to their specific needs.

A national evaluation of a multi-modal, blended, digital intervention integrated within Australian youth mental health services

BACKGROUND

Youth mental health (YMH) services have been established internationally to provide timely, age-appropriate, mental health treatment and improve long-term outcomes. However, YMH services face challenges including long waiting times, limited continuity of care, and time-bound support. To bridge this gap, MOST was developed as a scalable, blended, multi-modal digital platform integrating real-time and asynchronous clinician-delivered counselling; interactive psychotherapeutic content; vocational support; peer support, and a youth-focused online community. The implementation of MOST within Australian YMH services has been publicly funded.

OBJECTIVE

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the real-world engagement, outcomes, and experience of MOST during the first 32 months of implementation.

METHOD

Young people from participating YMH services were referred into MOST. Engagement metrics were derived from platform usage. Symptom and satisfaction measures were collected at baseline, 6, and 12 (primary endpoint) weeks. Effect sizes were calculated for the primary outcomes of depression and anxiety and secondary outcomes of psychological distress and wellbeing.

RESULTS

Five thousand seven hundred and two young people from 262 clinics signed up and used MOST at least once. Young people had an average of 19 login sessions totalling 129 min over the first 12 weeks of use, with 71.7% using MOST for at least 14 days, 40.1% for 12 weeks, and 18.8% for 24 weeks. There was a statistically significant, moderate improvement in depression and anxiety at 12 weeks as measured by the PHQ4 across all users irrespective of treatment stage (d = 0.41, 95% CI 0.35-0.46). Satisfaction levels were high, with 93% recommending MOST to a friend. One thousand one hundred and eighteen young people provided written feedback, of which 68% was positive and 31% suggested improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

MOST is a highly promising blended digital intervention with potential to address the limitations and enhance the impact of YMH services.