The San Francisco-based Big Health company touted the results of a study that found that its insomnia app helps patients with anxiety and depression.
They compared more than 1,000 people in the UK who used the app for treatment or treatment alone. According to the results published in the journal Science, those who used the Sleepio app in combination with treatment experienced greater improvement in their anxiety or depression symptoms. Behavioral research and treatment.
Specifically, 65% of Sleepio users found that their GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores were below the clinical threshold, compared to 58% in the control group.
But this study, partially funded by Big Health, also has some major limitations. All its authors either work for Big Health or are paid consultants for the company.
It is also not random or blind, because all participants have the opportunity to use the app. With approximately 3,500 people who could choose to use Sleepio, only 552 people registered and 510 people were included in the final result. They were compared with 510 people who chose not to use the app.
The researchers pointed out in the paper that, therefore, “It can be said that those who choose to use Sleepio are generally more motivated to stick to their mental health goals.”
They tried to alleviate this prejudice by matching people in the control group with people in the intervention group based on certain characteristics, including emotions.
In addition, there are fewer minority groups using the application, accounting for only 10% of the intervention group. More than 66% of Sleepio’s users are women.
Sleepio uses sleep restriction, cognitive exercises, and guides users through “sleep hygiene” to help them get better night rest. The app has the CE mark, but it has not yet been approved by the FDA. In the United States, people can only get it through the employer’s health plan.
The company also has a competitor in Pear Therapeutics’ Somryst, which is FDA approved last year. But like other digital therapy companies, it is still looking for the best way to get reimbursement. As evidenced by recent documents.
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