The Effect of Flash Technique Via Self-Therapy App on Depression, Anxiety, and Traumatic Symptoms

NCT ID: NCT06419387

Last Updated: 2024-05-20

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 30 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-02-01
• Study Completion Date: 2024-07-01

Brief Summary

EMDR is a psychotherapy method utilized for treating psychological traumas, with the Flash technique being one of its quickest and most effective methods. The "Self-Therapy" mobile application, accessible via Apple Store and Google Play, enables users to self-administer the Flash technique, following specific guidelines to help reduce symptoms like depression, anxiety, and stress linked to traumatic memories. Designed for adults over 18, particularly those diagnosed with mental health disorders, it is advised to be used under a psychiatrist's guidance. The application features a virtual guide, an avatar named Therapist Yağmur, who assists users through the process, including relaxation exercises and progress tracking. This allows users to pause and resume therapy as needed. Such applications represent a significant advancement in remote psychological support, potentially increasing access to psychotherapy and fostering societal acceptance of psychological health services.

Detailed Description

EMDR is a psychotherapy method used in the treatment of psychological traumas. The Flash technique is considered one of the fastest and most effective techniques of EMDR. The self-therapy application allows users to apply the Flash technique by themselves by following guidelines, aiming to reduce depression, anxiety, and stress levels associated with traumatic memories. Applications like "Self-Therapy" could serve as an important model for the development and widespread adoption of remote psychological support services. With this project, individuals experiencing stressful life events could support their own healing process through a mobile application. This could lay the foundation for the development and expansion of similar mobile applications, thereby inspiring new projects and studies aimed at enhancing and increasing the accessibility of post-traumatic support services. The ease of access to psychotherapy through a mobile application could help increase societal awareness and acceptance of psychological health services.The "Self-Therapy" project is specifically designed for adults aged 18 and older who have experienced a traumatic or stressful event and perceive a decline in their quality of life due to its effects. The mobile application, available for download on both the Apple Store and Google Play, is primarily intended for individuals diagnosed with a mental health disorder, and it is recommended that they use the application under the guidance and recommendation of their psychiatrist.

The application employs a virtual guide, an avatar named Therapist Yağmur, who leads users through the program. Through the avatar's instructions, users engage in the Flash technique to actively address and work through their traumatic memories. Additionally, the application includes relaxation exercises that can be utilized as needed. Users are able to track their progress within the app, enabling them to pause and resume their therapeutic journey as required, thereby facilitating a self-directed approach to managing and potentially mitigating the impacts of their traumatic experiences.

Conditions

Traumatic Stress Disorder

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Self-Therapy App

EMDR Flash Technique protocol will be administered via Self-Therapy App.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Self-Therapy Mobile App

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Self-Therapy Mobile App includes videos and guidelines for applying EMDR Flash Technique

Psycho-Education

Psycho-Education will be administered via videos of a psychology professor.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Psycho-education Videos

Intervention Type: OTHER

Psycho-education Videos include guidelines for increasing emotion regulation skills.

Interventions

Self-Therapy Mobile App

Self-Therapy Mobile App includes videos and guidelines for applying EMDR Flash Technique

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Psycho-education Videos

Psycho-education Videos include guidelines for increasing emotion regulation skills.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Being over the age of 18
• Having access to the internet

Exclusion Criteria

• A diagnosis of psychotic illness

• Presence of mental retardation
• Moderate or severe depression
• Active suicidal thoughts

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Academy of Therapeutic Sciences, Turkey

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Locations

Academy of Therapeutic Sciences

Istanbul, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

TBA2024

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id