Key takeaways:
- Data from 22,500 paid Nerva users shows that healthcare provider referral significantly improves patient adherence to digital gut-directed hypnotherapy.
- Referred users were 1.5 times more likely to finish the program, with 37% completing the final session compared to 24.4% of non-referred users.
- Improvement rates were similar among those who completed the questionnaire, at 78% of referred and 82% of non-referred users, but referred patients finished more often.
- A simple referral can have lasting effects on adherence and outcomes, suggesting referred patients feel more accountable to the program.
This blog highlights how healthcare provider referrals significantly improve patient adherence and outcomes in digital gut-directed hypnotherapy, based on data from over 22,000 Nerva users.
Background
The cost of care per year is a substantial burden for patients [3]. Digital health platforms offer a promising solution for patients to manage IBS at home with reduced economic impact. However, little is known about the role of health care providers in the use and successful facilitation of digital therapeutics.
Nerva app
The Nerva app is a 6-week gut-directed hypnotherapy program created by Dr. Simone Peters and Mindset Health. The app includes daily (15min) hypnotherapy sessions, psychoeducation readings, and breathing exercises.
Objective
The objectives of this study were to determine whether health care provider referral to the Nerva program would affect patient adherence and outcomes.
Methods: The data from 22,500 paid Nerva users was analyzed. The users were asked to complete the IBS-VAS questionnaire at the beginning of the program (week 0) and the end (week 6). Users were split into two groups: referred by a health care provider, or not referred by a health care provider. The groups were determined based on a question in the onboarding assessment where users are asked if they were referred by a health care provider. All users were paid users, and received the exact same program.
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