Examining a Digital Health Approach for Advancing Schizophrenia Illness Self-Management and Provider Engagement: Protocol for a Feasibility Trial

This study describes the protocol for a feasibility trial evaluating App4Independence (A4i), a digital health platform designed to improve illness self-management and treatment engagement among individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The planned study used a single-blind randomized design, with participants assigned to either A4i or a control condition and followed for six months. Feasibility measures included recruitment and […]

Predicting symptom response and engagement in a digital intervention among individuals with schizophrenia and related psychoses

This study examined whether machine learning could predict individual responses to and engagement with a smartphone-based digital intervention among people with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders. Researchers used data from an earlier open trial involving 38 participants with psychosis, primarily schizophrenia spectrum disorders, who used the App4Independence (A4i) psychosocial smartphone intervention for one month. Machine learning models incorporated […]

Feasibility and outcomes of a multi-function mobile health approach for the schizophrenia spectrum: App4Independence (A4i)

The study examined the feasibility of A4i, a multi-feature mobile health application designed to support illness self-management among people with schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders. The study took place in a large urban Canadian centre, with 38 participants using A4i for approximately one month. A pre-post study design was used to assess medication adherence, personal […]

App for independence: A feasibility randomized controlled trial of a digital health tool for schizophrenia spectrum disorders

The study was a single-blinded randomized trial. This trial was undertaken to generate feasibility data that might inform the design and utility of future effectiveness and implementation trials. The study took place in Toronto, Canada, with 91 participants randomized to 6 months of A4i use or treatment as usual. Feasibility metrics included recruitment, engagement and retention […]

People, Process, & Technology: Understanding the Contextual Factors Impacting the Implementation of an App to Support Patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders

Effective clinical services and treatments for schizophrenia spectrum populations are commonly hindered by illness complexity. Considering this, digital health holds promise in the effort to support individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD). While some research has demonstrated the efficacy of digital health technologies in supporting mental health treatment, the integration of these technologies into clinical […]