Testing a Dashboard Intervention for Tracking Digital Social Media Activity in Clinical Care of Individuals With Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Protocol and Design Considerations for a Pragmatic Randomized Trial

Background

Mood and anxiety disorders are common mental health issues. Research shows that using measurement-based care can help improve treatment outcomes by monitoring symptoms and guiding clinical decisions. An innovative approach is to include digital information from patients’ online activities, such as social media, to enhance this care. Both mental health professionals and patients are interested in sharing this information during treatment, but its clinical benefits are not well-studied.

Objective

This study aims to create an electronic dashboard that tracks patients’ online social activities and to test its effectiveness in real-world clinical settings for treating depression and anxiety disorders.

Methods

We developed a personalized electronic dashboard that visualizes patients’ online interactions and can be easily used in regular clinical sessions. A randomized trial was designed to assess how effective this dashboard is compared to standard treatment. The trial involved patients aged 12 and older with mood or anxiety disorders receiving care at specific clinics. The main focus was on changes in patients’ depression symptoms, with secondary focuses on anxiety symptoms and overall functioning.

Results

The electronic dashboard was successfully created, and a protocol for testing its use in routine care was established. The study received ethical approval and addressed various considerations in developing and implementing the dashboard in a real-world setting.

Conclusions

This study explores the novel integration of a digital dashboard in mental health treatment. It evaluates the feasibility and effectiveness of this tool and discusses the challenges faced during implementation. Insights gained will contribute to understanding how to effectively gather and use patients’ digital social activity information in clinical practice.

Opportunities Based on Trial Data

Identify measurable outcomes and set clear goals for using the dashboard in clinical settings. Choose AI tools that meet specific clinical needs and implement them step by step, starting with pilot projects to track results.