To develop and evaluate the usability of My Cosmos, a gamified digital cognitive-behavioral therapy (dCBT) platform aimed at enhancing engagement and adherence in mental health treatment, addressing a significant challenge in the field.
Key Findings:
Users found My Cosmos intuitive, engaging, and supportive for self-regulation, indicating a positive user experience that may enhance adherence.
Mental health professionals recognized its value for homework support and progress monitoring, suggesting practical applications in clinical settings.
Both groups agreed on the importance of blended care, where the platform complements traditional therapy, highlighting its potential role in integrated treatment approaches.
Interpretation:
The findings suggest that My Cosmos effectively integrates gamification into dCBT, enhancing user engagement and supporting therapeutic processes, with potential implications for clinical practice.
Limitations:
The study's sample was limited to university students and mental health professionals, which may not represent the broader population, potentially affecting the generalizability of the findings.
Initial usability insights do not provide comprehensive data on long-term engagement or clinical outcomes, indicating a need for further research.
Conclusion:
My Cosmos represents a promising advancement in digital mental health interventions, with ongoing optimization planned for future testing of clinical effectiveness and engagement, paving the way for a randomized controlled trial.
