Pilot study of the viability of a technological intervention for anxiety symptoms in Primary Health Care users.

• Grant number: 24/00918-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing - Public Health Nursing
• Principal Investigator: Heloísa Garcia Claro Fernandes
• Grantee: Beatriz Pereira Soares
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Enfermagem. Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/12901-9 - National Center for Research and Innovation in Mental Health (CISM), AP.ESP

Abstract

The Anxiety Disorders has a significant prevalence in the Brazilian population and the effects of this mental health disorder can harm patients' daily lives. However, there is a gap in access to health care for individuals affected by anxiety symptoms, which impacts the public health system. Among the possibilities for mental health care, technological interventions have shown effectiveness in reducing symptoms of some illnesses, using the internet as a facilitator of this access. Taking that into account, a pilot study using a cell phone application, the Emotional Control (CONEMO), is being carried out to assist people with symptoms of depression, anxiety and insomnia in two primary care units in Indaiatuba city, providing journeys in order to improve these symptoms. The objective of this study, which is a subproject of the aforementioned matrix study, is to analyze the viability of the CONEMO intervention for improving anxiety symptoms through the data collected by the application. Study participants must be 18 years old or over and have a result greater than or equal to 10 on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder - 7 items - GAD-7 anxiety scale in the initial screening. The estimated sample is at least 30 participants. For data analysis, users' scores on the GAD-7 scale will be compared before and after the application journeys, to measure the potential impact of using the intervention, as well as acceptability, engagement in the intervention, usability of the application and the adverse events, using descriptive statistics, with graphics and tables.