Blog Post 14- Amy Spear

This week we did not discuss any presentation material in class. Therefore, I will reflect on our final presentations. My final presentation revolved around the mobile-based application, Virtual Hope Box. This app is designed for use by patients and their behavioral health providers as an accessory to treatment. This application could be helpful for veterans, active military members, families of military members, sexual assault/domestic violence victims. It has shown that this application could be very beneficial as an accessory to in-person therapy and can reduce the amount of medications that need to be used to treat PTSD. VHB is also very different from other therapies because it is portable, and easily accessible so every user always has access to help no matter where they are. This app was specifically designed for those suffering from PTSD that are at a greater risk for self-harm. These patients are able use the app by decreasing these urges for self-harm by use of the app. Users can customize the app based on their specific needs. They can include quotes, their favorite relaxation/distraction techniques, and even pictures and videos of loved ones. Overall, this application could be very helpful for patients with PTSD especially with those who often have urges to harm themselves.

In the development of Virtual Hope Box, the Military Suicide Research Consortium funded a pilot project and a randomized controlled trial to study the potential of the VHB for helping patients at high risk of intentional self-harm. This study is important in the overall understanding and effectiveness of the application and I will be sure to include information regarding this study in the final draft of my research.

The other application we discussed was Pacifica which is a mobile and web-based application used to treat anxiety and depression. This app is based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as well as meditation. We discussed why this app might be useful in college students and why college students suffer from anxiety and depression. This could be the result of the excessive stress that college students experience. Many students are overscheduled and lack the adequate diet, exercise, and sleep schedule. Many of these aspects make us susceptible to developing anxiety and depression. Furthermore, Pacifica makes it possible to track mood and health habits which can be very beneficial to user. Tracking mood over time can allow the user to notice trends and triggers, so that they are prepared for when these things arise again. In addition to mood tracking, Pacifica also lets you track your health habits. This includes aspects such as sleep, exercise, and caffeine intake. Research suggests that self-monitoring of these health behaviors has a positive impact on the user by promoting awareness and self-efficacy. Therefore, it is clear that both of these applications would be very beneficial to users and even beneficial to providers to include in their administration of care. In the future as a clinician, I would most likely incorporate these into methods of care.