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Symposia

Telehealth/m-Health

Innovative digital interventions can transform health care delivery and alleviate suffering

2 - (Sym 128) Adapting a Digital Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Tobacco Cessation Intervention for Veterans with Mental Health Disorders: Focus Groups and Usability Testing Results

Sunday, November 20, 2022

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM EST

Location: Ziegfeld, 4th Floor

Keywords: Technology / Mobile Health, Telehealth/m-health, Treatment
Recommended Readings: Matsangidou, M., Otkhmezuri, B., Ang, C.S., Avraamides, M., Riva, G., Gaggioli, A., Iosif, D., & Karekla, M. (2020). “Now i can see me” designing a multi-user virtual reality remote psychotherapy for body weight and shape concerns. Human–Computer Interaction, https://doi.org/10.1080/07370024.2020.1788945
Kelly, M. M., Sido, H., & Rosenheck, R. (2016). Rates and correlates of tobacco cessation service use nationally in the Veterans Health Administration. Psychological services, 13(2), 183.

Presenter(s)

Megan M. Kelly, Ph.D.

VA Bedford Healthcare System
Westford, Massachusetts

Co-author(s)

BP

Beth Ann Petrakis, MPA

Health Research Scientist
VA Bedford Healthcare System
Bedford, Massachusetts
ER

Erin D. Reilly, Ph.D.

Psychologist
Veterans Integrated Service Network 1 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (VISN 1 MIRECC), Bedford, MA, USA
Bedford, Massachusetts
KQ

Karen Quigley, Ph.D.

Professor
Northeastern University
Boston, Massachusetts
JB

Jonathan Bricker, Ph.D.

Professor, Cancer Prevention Program
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Seattle, Washington
ES

Edit Serfozo, MPH, CCP

Project Manager
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Seattle, Washington
NW

Noreen Watson, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Seattle, Washington
JH

Jaimee Heffner, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Cancer Prevention Program
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Seattle, Washington

U.S. veterans with mental health disorders have high rates of smoking and low lifetime quit rates. The present study aimed to adapt a digital Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) tobacco cessation intervention for veterans with mental health disorders. The development of the program had two phases with the purpose of identifying acceptable elements and tailoring content for veterans with mental health disorders: 1) four focus groups (n=20) to review planned elements of the program, and 2) usability testing (n=20). Themes of veteran feedback focused on: 1) including veteran representations of tobacco cessation, 2) including motivational messaging discussing the health benefits of quitting and money saved, 3) having a less overt emphasis on self-compassion as a concept, 4) wanting content on common mental health challenges associated with smoking (i.e., nightmares, boredom, isolation, irritability), and 5) including mindfulness exercises to help manage emotional triggers for smoking. Veterans also provided feedback indicating a preference for images of people engaged in physical activities, people with loved ones, and images of the American flag to represent the constructs of freedom and commitment. Veterans indicated that they did not want combat-related military images in the program. Results from this project identified important elements of ACT digital tobacco cessation interventions for veterans with mental health disorders.