Effects of a Cognitive Behavioral Digital Therapeutic on Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Patients With Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Results from a clinical trial of a new cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM) app show a significant benefit for patients with cancer with symptoms of anxiety and depression. The double-blind, randomized controlled trial compared the cancer-specific app with a health education sham app in 449 patients diagnosed with nonmetastatic cancers. Patients who received the cancer-specific app showed significantly greater reductions in symptoms of anxiety and depression over 12 weeks and were significantly more likely to report their symptoms as much or very much improved at the end of the study. Self-reported adverse events were also collected to inform benefit-risk.