Browsing by Author "Simicich, Lauren A., 1993-"

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A mobile application delivery of gut-directed hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome : user characteristics, patterns of use, and symptom reports pre- and post-use.
(2023-08) Simicich, Lauren A., 1993-; Elkins, Gary Ray, 1952-
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most prevalent disorders of gut-brain interaction that afflicts both individuals and society at large. Standard medical care approaches have displayed limited efficacy, thus highlighting the need for other treatment approaches. Hypnotic interventions have been extensively studied for IBS and have consistently demonstrated effectiveness in improving IBS symptoms. However, widespread dissemination of a hypnotic intervention for IBS has not yet been achieved. Limited availability and affordability of hypnotherapists are among the potential barriers to implementation. Mobile phone applications provide an appealing alternative method of delivering evidence-based hypnotherapy services that are more readily accessible. Preliminary research suggests that self-administered and application-delivered hypnotic interventions for IBS may have therapeutic efficacy equivalent to face-to-face delivery. Limited studies have examined how individuals interface with a mobile application-delivered hypnotherapeutic intervention for IBS. The present study aimed to determine the user characteristics, usage patterns, and associated symptom changes of a mobile application-delivered hypnotherapeutic intervention for self-reported IBS symptoms delivered through the Nerva app from Mindset Health. A retrospective analysis of data from a convenience sample of 14,898 users of the Nerva app was conducted. User/clinical characteristics and usage patterns were described. Significant associations were found between user/clinical characteristics and Nerva app usage. Greater use of gut-directed hypnotherapy audio recordings was significantly associated with greater reductions in overall GI symptoms and psychological distress from pre- to post-program across Nerva app users. Several Nerva app usage metrics significantly and uniquely predicted IBS and psychological symptom changes from pre- to post-program. The total number of gut-directed hypnotherapy sessions completed was the strongest predictor of overall GI symptoms improvement, whereas the total number of psychoeducational readings completed was the best predictor of improvement in psychological distress. Overall, the results of this study begin to reveal the nuanced relationships that Nerva app usage shares with user/clinical characteristics and symptom changes experienced from pre- to post-program and underscores app usage as an important factor of study in evaluation of mobile health interventions for IBS.