The Use of Digitally Assessed Stress Levels to Model Change Processes in CBT - A Feasibility Study on Seven Case Examples

Bibliographic Data

ID15523265
AuthorsMiriam I Hehlmann (0000-0002-1069-0813, Universität Trier, corresponding author), Brian Schwartz (0000-0003-4695-4953, Universität Trier), Teresa Lutz (Universität Trier), Juan Martín Gómez Penedo (0000-0001-7304-407X, Universidad de Buenos Aires), Julian A Rubel (0000-0002-9625-6611, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen), Wolfgang Lutz (0000-0001-7975-8145, Universität Trier)
Year2021
Volume12
Pages613085-613085
Publication date2021-03-09
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2021.613085
PMID33767638
OpenAlexW3134372219
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited52

In psychotherapy research, the measurement of treatment processes and outcome are predominantly based on self-reports. However, given new technological developments, other potential sources can be considered to improve measurements. In a feasibility study, we examined whether Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMA) using digital phenotyping (stress level) can be a valuable tool to investigate change processes during cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Seven outpatients undergoing psychological treatment were assessed using EMA. Continuous stress levels (heart rate variability) were assessed via fitness trackers (Garmin) every 3 min over a 2-week time period (6,720 measurements per patient). Time-varying change point autoregressive (TVCP-AR) models were employed to detect both gradual and abrupt changes in stress levels. Results for seven case examples indicate differential patterns of change processes in stress. More precisely, inertia of stress level changed gradually over time in one of the participants, whereas the other participants showed both gradual and abrupt changes. This feasibility study demonstrates that intensive longitudinal assessments enriched by digitally assessed stress levels have the potential to investigate intra- and interindividual differences in treatment change processes and their relations to treatment outcome. Further, implementation issues and implications for future research and developments using digital phenotyping are discussed

Cognition · Physical medicine and rehabilitation · Physical therapy · Psychiatry · Stress (linguistics · Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes · Clinical Psychology · Digital Mental Health Interventions · Medicine · Mental Health Research Topics · Psychology

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