%0 Journal Article
%@ 2291-5222
%I JMIR Publications
%V 6
%N 12
%P e11661
%T Preliminary Effectiveness of a Smartphone App to Reduce Depressive Symptoms in the Workplace: Feasibility and Acceptability Study
%A Deady,Mark
%A Johnston,David
%A Milne,David
%A Glozier,Nick
%A Peters,Dorian
%A Calvo,Rafael
%A Harvey,Samuel
%+ Black Dog Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Hospital Road, Randwick, Sydney,, Australia, 61 293824517, m.deady@unsw.edu.au
%K depression
%K workplace
%K mHealth
%K smartphone
%K eHealth
%K pilot
%D 2018
%7 04.12.2018
%9 Original Paper
%J JMIR Mhealth Uhealth
%G English
%X Background: The workplace represents a unique setting for mental health interventions. Due to range of job-related factors, employees in male-dominated industries are at an elevated risk. However, these at-risk groups are often overlooked. HeadGear is a smartphone app–based intervention designed to reduce depressive symptoms and increase well-being in these populations. Objective: This paper presents the development and pilot testing of the app’s usability, acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness. Methods: The development process took place from January 2016 to August 2017. Participants for prototype testing (n=21; stage 1) were recruited from industry partner organizations to assess acceptability and utility. A 5-week effectiveness and feasibility pilot study (n=84; stage 2) was then undertaken, utilizing social media recruitment. Demographic data, acceptability and utility questionnaires, depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), and other mental health measures were collected. Results: The majority of respondents felt HeadGear was easy to use (92%), easily understood (92%), were satisfied with the app (67%), and would recommend it to a friend (75%; stage 1). Stage 2 found that compared with baseline, depression and anxiety symptoms were significantly lower at follow-up (t30=2.53; P=.02 and t30=2.18; P=.04, respectively), days of sick leave in past month (t28=2.38; P=.02), and higher self-reported job performance (t28=−2.09; P=.046; stage 2). Over 90% of respondents claimed it helped improve their mental fitness, and user feedback was again positive. Attrition was high across the stages. Conclusions: Overall, HeadGear was well received, and preliminary findings indicate it may provide an innovative new platform for improving mental health outcomes. Unfortunately, attrition was a significant issue, and findings should be interpreted with caution. The next stage of evaluation will be a randomized controlled trial. If found to be efficacious, the app has the potential to reduce disease burden and improve health in this at-risk group. 
%M 30514694
%R 10.2196/11661
%U https://mhealth.jmir.org/2018/12/e11661/
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/11661
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30514694