Digital CBT Helps Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients Manage Anxiety and Improve Quality of Life – A Digital Therapy Eases Anxiety and Improves Quality of Life for Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients.
Digital CBT Helps Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients Manage Anxiety and Improve Quality of Life
A new digital cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program called Almee has shown promise in reducing anxiety and improving quality of life for people with pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic and often debilitating lung disease. The findings, from a study called COMPANION, were announced today by Alex Therapeutics and Vicore Pharma.
The study met its primary goal of reducing anxiety symptoms in participants using Almee. Compared to a control group, those who used the program experienced a statistically significant 2.7-point decrease in their GAD-7 anxiety scores. This is considered clinically meaningful, as a change of more than 1.8 points on the GAD-7 scale indicates a noticeable improvement in anxiety levels.
Almee also showed positive effects on quality of life. Participants using the program reported a 4.4-point increase in their K-BILD score, a measure of overall well-being. Additionally, the K-BILD psychological domain score, which specifically assesses mental health, improved by 6.5 points.
“These results are very encouraging,” said Dr. Maureen Horton, the lead investigator of the COMPANION study and a retired professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “Providing tools that help people manage their condition and improve their quality of life is an important part of caring for patients with pulmonary fibrosis.”
Almee is a 9-week program that is accessed through a smartphone or tablet. It provides personalized CBT exercises and support to help users manage anxiety, cope with the challenges of living with pulmonary fibrosis, and improve their overall well-being.
“We are thrilled to see the positive impact that Almee has had on the lives of people with pulmonary fibrosis,” said Alex Therapeutics CEO [insert CEO name]. “This study demonstrates the potential of digital therapeutics to address the unmet needs of patients with chronic conditions.”
Vicore Pharma CEO Ahmed Mousa added, “We believe that Almee can play a valuable role in the holistic management of pulmonary fibrosis, alongside traditional therapies. We are committed to working with Alex Therapeutics to make this program available to as many patients as possible.”
The COMPANION study enrolled 108 participants from across the United States. It is one of the few digital therapy studies to date to show such positive results in a randomized controlled trial. This type of study is considered the gold standard for evaluating the effectiveness of medical interventions.
The findings of the COMPANION study suggest that Almee could be a valuable tool for improving the mental and emotional well-being of people living with pulmonary fibrosis. More research is needed to confirm these findings and to determine the long-term effects of using the program.
Key takeaways
- Digital CBT program Almee reduces anxiety and improves quality of life for pulmonary fibrosis patients.
- COMPANION study met primary endpoint of reducing anxiety symptoms.
Almee also improved quality of life and psychological well-being. - Findings suggest Almee could be a valuable tool for managing pulmonary fibrosis.
What are the treatment options for pulmonary fibrosis
Several recent studies and trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of digital cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in reducing anxiety and improving the quality of life for patients with pulmonary fibrosis. The COMPANION study, led by Dr. Maureen Horton, showed a 2.7-point improvement in reducing anxiety levels among pulmonary fibrosis patients, indicating promising efficacy in offering relief to individuals coping with this condition.
A US-based trial was able to lower anxiety in patients with pulmonary fibrosis using cognitive therapy, hitting its primary endpoint.
Additionally, the use of digital CBT has been associated with clear clinical benefits for individuals suffering from the mental health burden of pulmonary fibrosis.
An investigational app called Almee, which offers personalized treatment for pulmonary fibrosis patients, was also found to significantly reduce anxiety levels.
These findings highlight the potential of digital CBT interventions in helping pulmonary fibrosis patients manage anxiety and improve their quality of life.
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