Can You Reduce Problematic Smartphone Use Through a Group Intervention: A Single Case Experimental Design

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study will develop and conduct an initial, single-case, mixed-methods evaluation of a brief group intervention for mild and moderate problematic phone use.

Official Title
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Can You Reduce Problematic Smartphone Use Through a Group Intervention: A Single Case Experimental Design

Conditions
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Addiction, Smartphone

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Problematic smart phone use course


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: -Self-identifies as struggling with problematic smart phone use Exclusion Criteria: Actively experiencing suicidal or self-injurious thoughts, or have experienced these within the past year Already in a psychological therapy/intervention Planning a change of psychotropic medication during the research project. No access to video calling and/or slow internet connection speed A mental health condition that is not currently well managed/stable and therefore other interventions are likely to be more appropriate Does not own a smartphone that can record screen time Is not living in the UK, with access to services within the UK

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Problematic smart phone use course<br> | Behavioral: Problematic smart phone use course<br>* A 6 session, online, group-based, psychological course targetting problematic smart phone use.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from pre-intervention (week 1) at post-intervention (week 10) on the Smartphone Addiction Scale -Short Version (SAS-SV). | This measures smartphone addiction producing a score between 10 and 60, with higher scores indicating greater levels of addiction. | Post-intervention (week 10) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from pre-intervention (week 1) at follow-up (week 18) on the Smartphone Addiction Scale -Short Version (SAS-SV). | This measures smartphone addiction producing a score between 10 and 60, with higher scores indicating greater levels of addiction. | Follow-up (week 18) | 
| Change from pre-intervention (week 1) at post-intervention (week 10) on the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale -21 item version (DASS-21). | This measures levels of depression, anxiety and stress, producing a score between 0 for 42 each, with higher levels indicating greater severity. | Post-intervention (week 10) | 
| Change from pre-intervention (week 1) at follow-up (week 18) on the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale -21 item version (DASS-21). | This measures levels of depression, anxiety and stress, producing a score between 0 for 42 each, with higher levels indicating greater severity. | Follow-up (week 18) | 
| Change from pre-intervention (week 1) at post-intervention (week 10) on the Multicultural Quality of Life Index. | This measures of quality of life, producing a score between 1 and 10, with higher scores indicating greater quality of life. | Post-intervention (week 10) | 
| Change from pre-intervention (week 1) at follow-up (week 18) on the Multicultural Quality of Life Index. | This measures of quality of life, producing a score between 1 and 10, with higher scores indicating greater quality of life. | Follow-up (week 18) | 
| Change in daily subjective units of distress from the baseline period (weeks 0 and 1) to the intervention period (weeks 2 to 9) | Single case analysis will compare daily subject units of distress ratings from the baseline period to the intervention period. Separate daily ratings, on a 0 to 100 scale, will be obtained for each of anxiety, stress, low mood, and tiredness, with higher ratings indicating higher levels. | Intervention period (weeks 2 to 9) | 
| Change in daily subjective units of distress from the baseline period (weeks 0 and 1) to the follow-up period (weeks 17 to 18) | Single case analysis will compare daily subject units of distress ratings from the baseline period to the follow-up period. Separate daily ratings, on a 0 to 100 scale, will be obtained for each of anxiety, stress, low mood, and tiredness, with higher ratings indicating higher levels. | Follow-up period (weeks 17 to 18) | 
| Change in daily phone use from the baseline period (weeks 0 and 1) to the intervention period (weeks 2 to 9) | Single case analysis will compare daily phone use from the baseline period to the intervention period. Daily use will be measured by screentime (in minutes) and number of pick-ups. | Intervention period (weeks 2 to 9) | 
| Change in daily phone use from the baseline period (weeks 0 and 1) to the follow-up period (weeks 17 to 18) | Single case analysis will compare daily phone use from the baseline period to the follow-up period. Daily use will be measured by screentime (in minutes) and number of pick-ups. | Follow-up period (weeks 17 to 18) |