@Article{info:doi/10.2196/28703,
author="Hwang, Hyunchan
and Kim, Sun Mi
and Netterstr{\o}m, Bo
and Han, Doug Hyun",
title="The Efficacy of a Smartphone-Based App on Stress Reduction: Randomized Controlled Trial",
journal="J Med Internet Res",
year="2022",
month="Feb",
day="15",
volume="24",
number="2",
pages="e28703",
keywords="stress reduction; third-wave cognitive behavioral therapy; individual tailored treatment; randomized controlled trial; digital therapeutics",
abstract="Background: Stress management in the workplace is essential for a healthy mental and physical state. Due to technological advancements, individually tailored therapy and online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are on the rise. Objective: This study analyzed the efficacy of a smartphone app based on third-wave CBT tailored to an individual. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 126 participants who were divided into 2 groups. The intervention group used the smartphone app BetterLife for 10 weeks, while the control group was placed on a waiting list for the same duration. The Perceived Stress Scale--10 (PSS), Korean Utrecht Work Engagement Scale--9 (UWES), World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL), Beck Depression Inventory--II (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were administered at baseline and after 10 weeks to both groups. Results: Of the 126 participants, 11 dropped out during the trial. A 2-way repeated measure analysis of covariance was conducted, controlling for baseline BDI. There were greater improvements in PSS (F=24.33, P<.001, $\eta$2=0.17) and UWESK scores (F=8.32, P=.0046, $\eta$2=0.06) in the intervention group than in the control group. WHOQOL scores exhibited statistically significant improvement in the intervention group in the overall quality of life (F=8.19, P=.0049, $\eta$2=0.06), physical health (F=8.87, P=.003, $\eta$2=0.07), psychological health (F=13.32, P<.001, $\eta$2=0.10), social relationships (F=19.43, P<.001, $\eta$2=0.14), and environmental domains (F=10.14, P=.002, $\eta$2=0.08) but not overall health (F=1.68, P=.20). BDI (F=7.17, P=.008, $\eta$2=0.06) and BAI (F=6.00, P=.02, $\eta$2=0.05) showed a statistically significant improvement in the intervention group, but this significance did not survive the Bonferroni correction (P<.005). Conclusions: These results provide evidence that smartphone-based CBT is a viable option for reducing stress in the workplace. Trial Registration: Clinical Research Information Service KCT0003231; https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/detailSearch.do/15137 ",
issn="1438-8871",
doi="10.2196/28703",
url="https://www.jmir.org/2022/2/e28703",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/28703",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35166687"
}