The impact of guided versus supportive coaching on mental health app engagement and clinical outcomes

Abstract

Although mobile mental health apps have the unique potential to increase access to care, evidence reveals engagement is low unless coupled with coaching. However, most coaching protocols are limited in their scalability. This study assesses how human support and guidance from a Digital Navigator (DN), a scalable coach, can impact mental health app engagement and effectiveness on anxiety and depressive symptoms. This study aims to detach components of coaching, specifically personalized recommendations versus general support, to inform scalability of coaching models for mental health apps. 156 participants were split into the DN Guide versus DN Support groups for the 6-week study. Both groups utilized the mindLAMP app for the duration of the study and had equal time with the DN, but the Guide group received personalized app recommendations. The Guide group completed significantly more activities than the Support group. 34% (49/139) of all participants saw a 25% decrease in PHQ-9 scores and 38% (53/141) saw a 25% decrease in GAD-7 scores. These findings show mental health apps, especially when supported by DNs, can reduce depression and anxiety symptoms when coupled with coaching, suggesting a feasible path for large-scale deployment.