North American open-label 16-week trial of the MindShift smartphone app for adult anxiety

Background

Evidence-based treatments can effectively address anxiety and related conditions. However, new resources are needed to make psychological interventions accessible to the substantial and increasing North American population affected by anxiety and related psychopathology.

Objective

The present study evaluated whether use of the MindShift app (Anxiety Canada) may help reduce anxiety symptoms and related depressive symptoms, quality-of-life, and functional impairment among adults 18 years of age and older.

Methods

Adults ages 18–80 (N = 380) participated in an online open-label trial to evaluate change in anxiety and related distress while using the MindShift smartphone app. Inclusion criteria: residence in Canada or the USA and self-identification of anxiety or anxious distress to address during the study. Participants reported the severity of four primary outcomes at baseline and 2-, 4-, 8-, 12-, and 16-weeks after they began using the MindShift app.

Results

All four primary outcomes improved over the 16-week period: participants reported reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms; reduced functional impairment; and improved quality-of-life. Improvements were unrelated to the frequency with which participants used the MindShift app. Effect sizes indicated moderate change in anxiety symptoms (d=0.61, p < 0.0001), depressive symptoms (d=0.50, p < 0.0001), functional impairment (d=0.55, p < 0.0001), and quality-of-life (d=0.31, p < 0.0001) at the end of the 16-week intervention; improvements were consistent with response to treatment but not remission.

Conclusions

Overall, the MindShift app may provide a ready to scale low-cost resource to assist in meeting the mental health needs of adults across North America, particularly those who report mild or moderate symptom severity.