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Innovation & Technologie Angebot

Software for the prevention and treatment of emotional disorders

Country of Origin: Spain
Reference Number: TOES20171127002
Publication Date: 27 November 2017

Summary

Three Spanish universities have developed a self-applied internet-based program for preventing and treating emotional disorders. In addition to traditional approaches to preventing depression, the tool also includes novel strategies for enhancing positive moods. It combines procedures for controlling anxiety and stress with techniques for promoting emotional regulation, coping capacity and resilience. Researchers seek license to apply the technology as well as technical cooperation agreement.

Description

Spanish researchers have developed a self-applied Internet-based program for preventing and treating emotional disorders. The aim of the software is to reduce the incidence of emotional disorders through their prevention and treatment, special attention being focused on providing early care to those with a high risk of suffering such problems. Moreover, it provides the user with instruction on adaptive ways of coping with problems and overcoming them, without the need for any previous training.



The treatment protocol consists of eight modules oriented towards teaching different psychological techniques and adaptive ways of coping with stress. In addition to the cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) components, it also includes practical exercises and strategies to enhance positive affect. Users are offered information allowing them to monitor their mood within the treatment. For this purpose, three transversal tools are used: How am I?, where the user can view a set of graphs showing his or her scores after completing each module (positive or negative affect, anxiety and depression); a calendar showing how often the system has been accessed, together with the tasks that have been done or are still pending; and an activity diary, which illustrates the relationship between mood and the activities that have been completed.



The program includes the following treatment components:

• Motivation for change

• Psychoeducation

• Behavioural activation

• Cognitive therapy

• Positive psychology strategies

• Relapse prevention



The developed software is the first in Spain that has undergone validation studies in a Spanish population. A controlled, randomised study has confirmed the efficacy of the treatment protocol used to improve patients’ clinical situation. Results show that the interference arising from having experienced stressing events is significantly reduced in individuals who have followed the intervention programme compared to those in the control group. Furthermore, at one year of follow-up the improvements continue and the program is well rated and accepted by participants.



The areas of application of the software are:

• General population: people suffering from a low mood or problems of anxiety.

• Companies that wish to work on the prevention of emotional disorders among their employees.

• Hospitals and centres dedicated to caring for patients with emotional disorders.

• Clinical trials and research on clinical psychology.



Researchers are interested in reaching license agreements with companies, hospitals or research centres working on prevention of emotional disorders, and interested in applying this innovative tool. Technical cooperation agreements are also sought to adapt the program to specific needs.

Advantages and Innovations

The main advantages offered by this technology are:

• Self-applied Internet-based program that offers powerful tools with which to improve people’s access to mental health in low-resource or remote areas. Because they are capable of reaching people who live in a geographical area where there are no health centres, this type of intervention affords greater accessibility to those in need of such services.

• Being able to access the service from the patient's own home increases and ensures the levels of confidentiality while at the same time helping to reduce the stigma often attached to such cases.

• The amount of time that must be spent by the therapist is reduced and, as a result, the economic cost too, with similar levels of effectiveness.

• It is accessible from different devices, at any time and in any place. The use of multimedia elements aids comprehension and safeguards the information.



The use of the application can have beneficial effects for the patient and for public health, by helping in the prevention and treatment of emotional disorders. The figures for the prevalence of emotional disorders show that it is necessary to underline the importance of having cost-effective interventions available for sufferers of such disorders, and here self-applied Internet-based interventions are a valuable aid.

Stage Of Development

Available for demonstration

Stage Of Development Comment

Validated by empirical studies, fully developed and ready for use in computers or tablet PCs

Requested partner

- Type of partner sought: Companies, hospitals or research centres

- Partner's areas of expertise: Work on prevention of emotional disorders

- Tasks to be carried out: License agreements or technical cooperation agreements to adapt the software to specific needs