RESEARCH ARTICLE
Effectiveness of Text Messaging for the Management of Psychological and Somatic Distress in Depressed and Anxious Outpatients
Roberto Truzoli*, Cecilia Rovetta, Eliana Nola, Luca Matteucci, Caterina Viganò
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2019Volume: 12
First Page: 12
Last Page: 19
Publisher ID: TOPSYJ-12-12
DOI: 10.2174/1874350101912010012
Article History:
Received Date: 26/10/2018Revision Received Date: 18/12/2018
Acceptance Date: 7/01/2019
Electronic publication date: 31/1/2019
Collection year: 2019
open-access license: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC-BY 4.0), a copy of which is available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Abstract
Background:
Cognitive behavioral group therapy has developed several techniques in order to make the treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders more effective. Particularly, the “homework” is a tool in order to practice therapeutic skills in ecological settings. When working with this aim, it is often necessary to support patient compliance.
Researches have shown the efficacy of sending a text to the patients in order to support the patient compliance, but only a few data are available on the effectiveness of sending text in the treatment of depression and anxiety.
Objective:
Verify the effectiveness of sending text in the treatment of depression and anxiety in order to support patient compliance.
Methods:
Participants were enrolled for cognitive behavioral group therapy. Once completed the treatment, a sub-group of participants (Yes SMS group) was reached by a weekly text message for the whole 3 months time between the end of the intervention and the scheduled follow-up session.
All the participants were assessed for the overall psychopathological symptoms, depression, and anxiety before and after the group intervention, and at the 3 months follow up.
Results:
Both groups improved from pre to post-treatment in all the assessed dimensions; the enhancement endures up to the 3 months follow up.
Comparing the two groups regardless of the diagnosis, the Yes SMS group shows significant better outcomes in depression at follow-up and in anxiety both at post-treatment and at follow-up.
Conclusion:
The weekly SMS as prompt seems to enhance the patient’s compliance.
