The Efficacy of a Mobile Application for Treating Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in University Students

This project aimed to test the effectiveness of an application-based computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (cCBT) intervention named "Feel Stress Free" at reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in a sample of UK university students.

This was a 12-week, parallel randomised controlled trial, comparing a group of university students (N = 84) receiving the mobile intervention to a wait-list control group (N = 84) receiving no intervention.

Recruitment took place within the four universities partnered with Thrive UK, all located in London and the South East of England: University College London, University of Roehampton, University of Buckingham and School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London). Recruitment was via the student union or student welfare services of each university, using email advertisements, poster advertisements, personal referrals from student welfare staff, and social media (Twitter and Facebook). The study was conducted entirely online, with all communication between trial personnel and participants via standardised emails.

Participants were instructed to sign up to the trial by navigating to a web page and inserting their email address. They were then sent links to the participant information sheet and consent form. Once they had given their consent, they were sent the screening questionnaire. Randomisation occurred in blocks of 30 - each time 30 eligible participants had completed the screening questionnaire, they were randomised by an independent statistician, with an equal number of participants allocated to each arm.

Participants in the intervention group received a link to download the "Feel Stress Free" application free of charge, and participants in the control group were informed that they would receive access to the application when the trial was over. Those in the intervention group were asked to use the app at least once per week for 15 minutes for the 6 weeks of the main trial, and then as often as preferred for the follow-up period. The "Feel Stress Free" application consists of relaxation activities such as breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation and meditation, as well as relaxing mini-games, uplifting messages and negative thought tracking. Users are prompted daily to measure and track their mood, and activity recommendations are given if needed.