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. 2024 Mar 28;6(1):e10881.
doi: 10.32872/cpe.10881. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Feasibility and Acceptability of a Mobile App for Prolonged Grief Disorder Symptoms

Anaïs Aeschlimann  1 , Nicolas Gordillo  2 , Taro Ueno  3 , Andreas Maercker  1 , Clare Killikelly  1   4
Affiliations

Feasibility and Acceptability of a Mobile App for Prolonged Grief Disorder Symptoms

Anaïs Aeschlimann et al. Clin Psychol Eur. .

Abstract

Background: Mobile apps provide a unique platform for mental health assessment and monitoring. They can provide real time, accessible data on symptoms of mental disorders that may yield rich data for detailed clinical assessment and help individuals gain insight into their current mental state. We developed one of the first apps for tracking symptoms of prolonged grief disorder.

Method: In this pilot feasibility study, we assess the feasibility and acceptability of a new mobile app mGAGE for use once a day for 3 weeks. 27 participants completed mental health assessments at t1 and t2.

Results: Adherence to the app protocol was very high with 100% for the first two weeks of use. A surprising finding was the improvement of grief symptoms at t2. Debriefing interviews revealed general qualitative categories including positive feedback, negative feedback and specific recommendations. Overall, the app was found to be feasible for use for the first two weeks and acceptable for bereaved individuals.

Conclusions: This app could provide valuable data for in depth clinical assessment, may support individuals to gain greater insight into their symptoms and may have a therapeutic effect in terms of improved grief symptoms. Implications for future studies including use in larger intervention studies are discussed.

Keywords: e-mental health; mobile app; prolonged grief disorder; self-monitoring intervention.

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Conflict of interest statement

AA, CK, NG and AM report no conflict of interest. Taro Ueno is member of Japanese based startup company, SUSMED inc.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Screenshot of the mGAGE App Welcome Page and Symptom Tracking Screens
Figure 2
Figure 2. Daily Average IPGDS Score for All Participants
Note. IPGDS = International Prolonged Grief Disorder Scale. *Statistically significant difference between average daily IPGDS on Day 2 and Day 11; p < .05.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Adherence per Week
Note. Percent of participants completing the daily questionnaire.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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