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A smartphone application (app) from the company Monsenso was developed to monitor anxiety symptoms in the treatment of anxiety disorders as an alternative to paper registrations. The aim of the study was to explore patient and therapist experiences of using the app in conjunction with standard treatment for anxiety disorder in a developmental and implementation phase. The study design was qualitative. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three therapists and seven patients from an outpatient clinic. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Three main themes emerged for both patients and therapists. The patient themes were usability (it was easier to use the app and remember daily mood registrations), insight in own disorder (awareness of symptom progress), and support to use the app (support from the therapist was wanted). The therapist themes were therapeutic quality (app registrations made it easier to prepare sessions), the role of the therapist (enthusiasm and technical assistance affected the patient), and implementation challenges (time allocation is important). The anxiety monitoring app is recommended in standard treatment as an alternative to paper registrations. However, a successful development and implementation process include ready available technical support, time allocation, and therapist effort and enthusiasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creative writing may help patients find new powers in the acts of making art and expanding horizons beyond illness, including addiction. The aim of the present pilot study was to introduce creative writing workshops to alcohol use disorder (AUD) patients and investigate self-perceived rehabilitating impact, improvement in quality of life, and executive functions. The study was conducted in a mixed methods design; primarily semi-structured group and individual interviews as well as participant observation, supplemented by a small evaluation questionnaire at baseline and follow-up at the end of exposure. The patients had experienced the workshop as having influenced their lives in a positive direction, impacted by doing creative writing, sharing and receiving feedback, and the community of the group. The patients perceived both advantages and disadvantages about discussing alcohol in the workshop. The patients experienced an increase in quality of life from the beginning to the end of the workshop. There could be a need for creative writing workshops as add-ons to ordinary AUD treatment. In such an offer, creative writing might function as a means to improve patient rehabilitation, quality of life, and executive functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to describe patient perspectives on optional videoconferencing-based treatment for alcohol use disorders. The study was a qualitative descriptive study based on semistructured interviews with 27 patients using an interview guide. The analysis strategy used was qualitative content analysis. Videoconferencing was found relevant when having a choice was found positive, no differences to face-to-face were registered, the sense of security was enhanced, flexibility was enhanced, attending treatment was encouraged, and the treatment course was “blended care.” Videoconferencing was found irrelevant when intimacy was desired, there were concerns about the technical equipment, and a treatment form unsuitable for videoconferencing was offered. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]