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ACT Companion: Happiness Trap uses acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to help users overcome anxiety, stress, depression, and other clinical issues. A main feature of this app is the guided meditations. ACT Companion: Happiness Trap has over two and a half hours of guided mindfulness audio tracks. Tracks last between five and fifteen minutes and cover topics such as Notice Your Emotion, Observing Your Thoughts, and The Observing Self. Additionally, ACT Companion: Happiness Trap groups its exercises into three groups: Be Present, Open Up, and Do What Matters. In each group there are guided mindfulness audio tracks and exercises. Users can pay to unlock other features including ACTometer, Check-In, and Crisis Tool. Prices are $0.99 per month or a one time payment of $9.99.
Available for: iPhone Requires iOS 10.0 or later. Android 6.0 and up.
Developer: BERRICK PSYCHOLOGY PTY LTD
Type of Treatment: Gratitude, Mindfulness, Symptom Tracking/Self-Monitoring
Targeted Conditions: Mood Disorders, Stress and Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Sleep
Target Audience: Not Specified
Designed to be used in conjunction with a professional? No
Languages Available: English
Cost: Free with in-app purchases
Get it on: Apple App Store, Google Play, Web
A 2019 study looked at the effectiveness of ACT Companion. A total of 19 participants, 9 students (1 male, 8 female) and 10 employees (4 male, 6 female), were involved in the study. The study used a “single-subject A-B design with two main phases; baseline (A) and intervention (B).” Participants were given access to the app during the intervention phase and asked to complete at least one activity a day. Additionally, they had to complete a Daily Assessment of Symptoms-Anxiety (DAS-A). Results showed that scores on the DAS-A gradually decreased during use of the app. Overall results concluded that when compared to baseline levels, “for every measure used in the questionnaire battery, scores improved significantly following app use”. (Sargisson et al., 2019 https://www.graphyonline.com/archives/archivedownload.php?pid=IJPBA-164)
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