Research Review Reflection 

In my research review, I received valuable feedback and ideas I had not previously considered. This first review highlighted issues with my problem statement and end goals, suggestions for tightening my demographic, and opportunities for gaining more insight. All of which I will think through and implement before moving on to my fleshed-out solutions. 

With my problem statement, it was pointed out I could much more clearly convey the issue I was tackling. My statement lacked mention of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT) for Anxiety, which has become the focus of my project. It was also suggested I narrow down my age group to either target the earlier half or the later half of the 18-29 year olds I originally had targeted as the original span allowed for too much variation. In conjunction with the changing problem statement, I need to adjust my end goals to be tailored toward the focus on CBT homework. Between these adjustments, my problem statement would better communicate the issue I am trying to solve as well as make it easier to develop an effective solution.

As for feedback regarding research opportunities. We discussed talking to friends who fit my demographic and have gone through a form of anxiety treatment about awareness of CBT homework. We also discussed looking into reaching out to Psych students and therapy providers for more insight into CBT homework. With reaching out to therapists, it was suggested to see if it was possible to see if there were any worksheets or examples of how CBT is conducted with patients. This would be particularly valuable as it has the potential to show even more issues that patients might experience or the potential for a redesign. Looking into what the public and patients are provided for knowledge about CBT and how the homework is conducted was another important insight I was given, setting more potential design opportunities.

Overall, I am very pleased with how my review went. I presented my research in an organized, cohesive way and hit the main points I wanted to hit, though I could have come in with more confidence while presenting. I believe we had a productive conversation during my review and I was able to answer the questions asked of me. After my review and these new suggestions, I should be able to make adjustments quickly and conduct more research while ideating to come to a solution.

Goals and Tasks - Next 4 weeks

• Adjust the problem statement to narrow the demographic and include the focus on CBT homework complete by Feb. 9th

• Adjust project outcomes to better suit adjusted topic complete by Feb. 9th

• Look into how CBT homework is assigned and presented complete by Feb 16th

  • Included more readings, photo studies, reaching out to therapists(?), case studies(?)

  • Identify potential issues that could have a design solution

• Solution Ideation complete by Feb 11th

  • Ideate a large number of potential design solutions for critique

• Continue Ideation/ narrow down to three solutions complete by Feb 18th

• Complete draft of Design Preliminary Review Template complete by Feb 23rd

• Finish Review Template and supporting materials complete by March 4th

Complete Design Preliminaries Review Reflection complete by March 9th

Updated Problem Statement

How can we help young women, ages 18-24, be more engaged in their Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Homework for Anxiety treatment? 

Updated Project Goals

• Encourage young women to participate in their CBT homework 

• Highlight the importance and effectiveness of CBT homework

• Help increase the effectiveness of Anxiety therapy

Readings

https://beckinstitute.org/blog/the-new-homework-in-cognitive-behavior-therapy/

The New "Homework" in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Insights

• Poor reception to the word Homework, in association with school, has led to the change to "Action Plan"

• Plans are audio recorded, written down,  or typed out 

• It's a collaborative process, therapists use the patient's interferring thoughts and re-frames them in a positive light for the patient

• Beck Institute helps set the standard for CBT 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5481663/

Supporting Homework Compliance in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Essential Features of Mobile Apps

Insights

• For an optimal mobile app to help with CBT features must: therapy congruency, fostering learning, guide therapy, build connections, put emphasis on completion and be aware of demographic

• Controversy of texting therapist and client-therapist boundaries

• Completion regonition helps patients recognize an "immediate result"

  • • Graphs or a sort of tracking

    • text reminders 

• Connections

  • • greater therapist-patient connect has shown to increase adherence and trust

    • Moderated Chat rooms for peer-support has shown to aid in improvement 

• Guiding 

  • • therapist need to provide rationale for the process, helping patients make the connection on why they need to participate

    • opportunities for therapist review during to open opportunities for troubleshooting and feedback

    • Less therapist involvement has shown to decrease compliance

• Fostering Learning

  • • short task durations help encourage progress

    • adaption to user's progress

• Ability to self-track symptoms and access help by themselves increase engagement rather than psychoeducational apps alone

Ideation - rapid sketches of potential solutions

Portfolio Piece Week 4

https://www.behance.net/gallery/218879001/Cube-Map?