Effects of an app-augmented cognitive behavioral therapy using the Journaling App for Youth (JAY) for adolescents with internalizing disorders-a study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Internalizing disorders such as anxiety and depression can be especially severe during adolescence, presenting significant challenges for affected individuals. While cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) has shown promise as an effective treatment for these conditions, a significant proportion of youth do not benefit sufficiently from CBT. One critical factor that may influence the effectiveness of CBT is adherence to therapy homework, with evidence suggesting a relationship between homework completion and therapy outcomes, including symptom reduction. In this context, smartphone apps have emerged as a potentially helpful tool to enhance adherence by providing engaging ways for adolescents to complete their therapy homework. However, in Germany, there is currently a lack of evaluated smartphone apps that can be deployed as adjuncts to CBT for adolescents.

METHOD: This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial (RCT). It will evaluate the effects of the JAY smartphone app on therapy homework adherence during CBT for adolescents with internalizing disorders (n = 35) compared to CBT with standard paper-and-pencil homework (n = 35).

DISCUSSION: The findings of the JAY trial may contribute to the understanding of how smartphone apps can be integrated into CBT for adolescents to enhance therapy homework adherence and ultimately treatment outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) DRKS00026623. Registered on 13th October 2023, https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00026623/details .