Science & Research meets Design & Digitization
Mindable combines state-of-the-art science and research with intuitive design and digital technologies to best support psychotherapeutic treatment.
Evidence-based
Mindable is based on methods of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with a focus on confrontation techniques. This is considered the scientifically proven gold standard [1-2] and is also recommended in the S3 guidelines for the treatment of anxiety disorders. The basis of the treatment program is the treatment manual “Exposure-based therapy for panic disorder with agoraphobia” (Lang et al., 2018)[3]. The effectiveness of the manual was evaluated in one of the largest treatment studies for panic disorder and agoraphobia to date and found to be high. Thus, it is considered evidence-based. So we at Mindable have not reinvented the wheel for the treatment of anxiety disorders, but in close collaboration with the authors we have realized a transfer of evidence-based treatment procedures into the digital space. That this is possible and that therapeutic smartphone apps are effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders has already been demonstrated several times by studies and systematic literature reviews [4-9].
Studies with Mindable
Clinical studies on the use of Mindable are currently being conducted. Preclinical data already show significant improvements in clinical symptoms, quality of life, limitations in daily life, and self-efficacy in Mindable users.
Medical device
In addition, Mindable is a CE-marked Class I MDD medical device and a digital health application (DiGA). This means that we are compliant with both the strict quality and safety requirements of the Medical Devices Act, as well as the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). Of course, we have also been put through our paces by both bodies – or rather chip and code – and found to be safe. This sets Mindable apart from many other so-called health and wellness apps that are freely available on the market and not subject to any kind of testing or monitoring. And because Mindable is a prescription app, you can have it prescribed by doctors and psychotherapists and be reimbursed by public health insurers.
Usability & User Experience Design
During development, it was particularly important for us to focus on the users in order to offer an app that meets their needs. Our experienced team of UX designers and psychologists have therefore combined all their strengths to create a highly intuitive app that allows users to use it smoothly and completely independently.
Mindable combines science & research with design & digitalization.
Current research projects from science
We have the claim to continuously develop Mindable according to the latest findings and to have our methods scientifically tested. To this end, we are currently conducting several research projects and studies with our cooperation partners:
Christoph Dornier Foundation
Together with Prof. Dr. Thomas Lang and Dr. Sylvia Helbig-Lang, we are investigating the efficacy of Mindable in a multicenter, randomized comparison group study with two study arms. The effectiveness of the use of Mindable during the waiting period for a therapy place is compared to a waiting control group.
Bonn University Hospital
Under the direction of Prof. Dr. med. Alexandra Philipsen and Dr. Niclas Braun, a three-armed randomized intervention study is currently being conducted at the UK Bonn. The effectiveness of the use of Mindable, both against an app-based relaxation training and against a passive control group, is being compared.
Sources
[1] Gloster, A. T., Wittchen, H. U., Einsle, F., Lang, T., Helbig-Lang, S., Fydrich, T., … & Gerlach, A. L. (2011). Psychological treatment for panic disorder with agoraphobia: a randomized controlled trial to examine the role of therapist-guided exposure in situ in CBT. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 79(3), 406.
[2] Klan, T., & Hiller, W. (2014). Die Wirksamkeit einzelner Therapieelemente in Routinetherapien bei Panikstörung und Agoraphobie. Verhaltenstherapie, 24(3), 157-167.
[3] Lang, T., Helbig-Lang, S., Westphal, D., Gloster, A. T., & Wittchen, H. U. (2018). Expositionsbasierte Therapie der Panikstörung mit Agoraphobie. Ein Behandlungsmanual. Göttingen, Hogrefe.
[4] Andrews, G., Basu, A., Cuijpers, P., Craske, M. G., McEvoy, P., English, C. L., & Newby, J. M. (2018). Computer therapy for the anxiety and depression disorders is effective, acceptable and practical health care: An updated meta-analysis. Journal of Anxiety Disorders. Elsevier Ltd.
[5] Apolinário-Hagen, J. (2019). Internet-delivered psychological treatment options for panic disorder: a review on their efficacy and acceptability. Psychiatry investigation, 16(1), 37.
[6] Cho, C. H., & Lee, H. J. (2019). Could digital therapeutics be a game changer in psychiatry?. Psychiatry investigation, 16(2), 97.
[7] Lindhiem, O., Bennett, C. B., Rosen, D., & Silk, J. (2015). Mobile technology boosts the effectiveness of psychotherapy and behavioral interventions: a meta-analysis. Behavior modification, 39(6), 785-804.
[8] Rathbone, A. L., Clarry, L., & Prescott, J. (2017). Assessing the efficacy of mobile health apps using the basic principles of cognitive behavioral therapy: systematic review. Journal of medical Internet research, 19(11), e399.
[9] Van Ameringen, M., Turna, J., Khalesi, Z., Pullia, K., & Patterson, B. (2017). There is an app for that! The current state of mobile applications (apps) for DSM‐5 obsessive‐compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety and mood disorders. Depression and anxiety, 34(6), 526-539.
Medical content and procedures of the Mindable app
Bandelow B, Wiltink J, Alpers GW, Benecke C, Deckert J, Eckhardt-Henn A, et al. Deutsche S3-Leitlinie Behandlung von Angststörungen. 2014
BPtK. (2018). Ein Jahr nach der Reform der Psychotherapie-Richtlinie, Wartezeiten 2018.
Domhardt, M., Letsch, J., Kybelka, J., Koenigbauer, J., Doebler, P., & Baumeister, H. Are Internet- and mobile-based interventions effective in adults with diagnosed panic disorder and/or agoraphobia? A systematic review and meta-analysis. In Journal of Affective Disorders. 2020;276:169–182.
Gassen, A. Ein Jahr Richtlinienreform: Schnelle Umsetzung durch Psychotherapeuten. Pressemitteilung der KBV.2018.
Gloster, A. T., Wittchen, H. U., Einsle, F., Lang, T., Helbig-Lang, S., Fydrich, T., … & Gerlach, A. L. Psychological treatment for panic disorder with agoraphobia: a randomized controlled trial to examine the role of therapist-guided exposure in situ in CBT. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology. 2011;79(3):406.
Helbig-Lang S. Psychotherapeutische Hausaufgaben: Techniken der Verhaltenstherapie: mit E-book inside und Arbeitsmaterial. Beltz Verlag; 2015.
Helbig, S., Hähnel, A., Weigel, B. & Hoyer, J. Wartezeit für Psychotherapiepatienten – und wie sie zu nutzen ist. Verhaltenstherapie, 2014;14:294-302.
Lang T, Helbig-Lang,S., Westphal D., Gloster, AT, Wittchen HU. Expositionsbasierte Therapie der Panikstörung mit Agoraphobie. 2nd Edition, Hogrefe Verlag; 2018.
Lang, T., Helbig-Lang, S., & Petermann, F. (2009). Was wirkt in der kognitiven Verhaltenstherapie der Panikstörung mit Agoraphobie? Ein systematisches Review.Zeitschrift für Psychiatrie, Psychologie und Psychotherapie, 57(3), 161-175.
Stech, E. P., Lim, J., Upton, E. L., & Newby, J. M. Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. 2020;49(4):270–293.
