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Can texting improve therapy? : a scoping review of behavioral change methods in text-messaging to support psychological treatment

Böcker, A. (2021) Can texting improve therapy? : a scoping review of behavioral change methods in text-messaging to support psychological treatment.

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Abstract:Background: Psychological treatment often comes with long waiting times. Various researches were done in which text-messaging was used as adjunct to psychological treatment, which might increase the efficiency of treatment. Extracting the effective mechanisms of text-messages enables to apply useful features to advanced technologies, such as apps. Method: This literature review assessed 16 articles that added text-messaging to psychological treatment. The objectives of text-messages were explored, and behavioral change methods (BCMs) were identified. Results: Three message objectives were identified: supportive messages, appointment reminder and self-monitoring. Supportive text-messages reduced psychopathological symptoms or were at least appreciated by participants. Appointment reminders increased treatment attendance, however, impulsive and anxious participants did not benefit from reminders. There were insufficient controlled studies about monitoring messages to draw conclusions. The following eight BCMs were identified: facilitation, tailoring, counterconditioning, persuasive communication, reinforcement, self-monitoring of behavior, individualization and belief selection. While the number of integrated BCMs did not influence the effectivity and acceptability of text-messages, the absence of BCMs might be linked to a dropout of participants. Conclusion: The findings implicate that text-messages may be an effective adjunct to psychological treatment. The importance of applying BCMs to text-messages and interaction with text-messages for a high acceptance are emphasized.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/85649
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