Excessive Smartphone Use in Anxiety Disorder

Overview

About this study

The Primary objective of this study is to whether excessive use of smartphone apps, especially those related to social media has a detrimental effect on an individual's mental health. We have chosen to focus on patients with uncontrolled General Anxiety Disorder. Anxiety disorder is influenced by a combination of factors, some of which are modifiable while others are not. We hypothesize that excessive use of technology, particularly smartphone apps, may be a modifiable factor contributing to anxiety symptoms.

Participation eligibility

Participant eligibility includes age, gender, type and stage of disease, and previous treatments or health concerns. Guidelines differ from study to study, and identify who can or cannot participate. There is no guarantee that every individual who qualifies and wants to participate in a trial will be enrolled. Contact the study team to discuss study eligibility and potential participation.

Inclusion Criteria:

  • For patients aged 18 years or older experiencing mild symptoms of anxiety or depression and who have a GAD-7 score 5 and above.
  • Patient should have smart phone and should be using Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tik Tok, and Pinterest social media apps.
  • Patients should have email access.

Exclusion Criteria: 

  • Any patient who uses a smartphone for tracking glucose for diabetes management, heart rate, or any chronic illness which is being managed through a smartphone app.
  • Any patient who uses more than one personal smartphone
  • Any patient who is a suicide risk as per PHQ-9 score, current recreational drug usage, or alcohol abuse.
  • Any patient who has suicidal ideation as per PHQ-9 assessment before or during the study period will be excluded, (all patients will be monitored for suicidal ideation by PHQ-9 scoring method at day 1, week 6, and week 12, but it is the responsibility  of the patient to inform the study team if they have developed any suicidal ideation throughout the study period).
  • Patients with activated POA (Power of Attorney - Healthcare), diagnosis of mental retardation or current disability due to any psychiatric disorder or severe depression with a high risk of suicide should be excluded.c
  • Any patient currently undergoing ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) for severe depression.
  • Any patient taking prescribed SSRIs/SNRIs, with a change and not taking them continuously in last 30 days (not a new diagnosis of anxiety). If change they will be excluded.

Note: Other protocol defined Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria may apply.

Eligibility last updated 1/24/24. Questions regarding updates should be directed to the study team contact.

Participating Mayo Clinic locations

Study statuses change often. Please contact the study team for the most up-to-date information regarding possible participation.

Mayo Clinic Location Status Contact

Rochester, Minn.

Mayo Clinic principal investigator

Gagandeep Singh, M.D.

Open for enrollment

Contact information:

Erin ODowd

(507) 422-9507

ODowd.Erin@mayo.edu

More information

Publications

Publications are currently not available
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CLS-20583545

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