Development and pilot evaluation of an AI-supported CBT mobile phone app for the treatment of depression and anxiety in ex-Service women

This project aims to work with ex-Servicewomen to adapt Iona (an artificial intelligence-supported low-intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy mobile phone app) for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression to maximise acceptability and undertake a pilot Randomised Controlled Trial 

This project will involve two focus groups, meeting on two occasions to inform adaption of the Iona intervention and 12 semi-structured interviews to examine the acceptability of the intervention. This will be followed with a pilot Randomised controlled trial

• What adaptations are needed to a low-intensity CBT mobile phone app for the treatment of GAD/depression to maximise acceptability for ex-Servicewomen.
• To what extent is the adapted app acceptable for ex-Servicewomen.
• Does the adapted app demonstrate potential to be effective for the treatment of GAD and depression in ex-Servicewomen.
• What are some considerations with respect to implementation in voluntary, community, and statutory organisations supporting armed forces Veterans. 

Initially, this project will recruit ex-Servicewomen comprising two focus groups each, with 10 participants per focus group, to inform intervention adaptation and 60 participants in the pilot RCT.