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Dartmouth PATH Review

Dartmouth PATH Screenshots
Credibility

Credibility

5.00 / 5.00

Overall Score: 11/11

Proposed Goal: 2/2
Evidence Based Content: 1/1
Clinical Input in Development: 1/1
Research on Development Process: 1/1
Efficacy of Other Products: 1/1
Research Independence and Review: 2/2
Research Base: 3/3

Note: Consumer Ratings and Software Update Scores are not available for Web Apps

Rating Date: August 2020

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User Experience

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Dartmouth PATH is a web-based training and treatment program designed to help resolve conflicts, manage stress, and improve mood. The four main parts of the course are Conflict, Mood, Stress, and a Guided Self-Assessment. Users progress linearly through each part of the course with a combination of video and interactive exercises which teach users about various principles of CBT. Users can also download a pdf that details the different steps in the course. Users are prompted to take guided self-assessments throughout the course in order to help keep track of progress. Users also have the option of accessing a resources tab which provides additional information about the PATH program and other material (i.e., action plans, mood action plans, stress practice plans, an E-library with information on mood, stress, and conflict management, information on how to use the program, etc.).

Technical Details

Available for: Web
Developer: Dartmouth
Type of Treatment: Cognitive Behavioral Principles, Psychoeducation & Information, Test/Screener Apps
Targeted Conditions: Mood Disorders, Stress and Anxiety
Target Audience: Adults
Designed to be used in conjunction with a professional? Recommended
Languages Available: English
Cost: Free
Get it on: Web

Research on this App

There are two randomized controlled studies that studied the effectiveness of the program. The first study evaluated the program for its effectiveness in treating stress. 66 participants were randomly assigned to either a group that received the treatment program (SMART-OP group) or a group that received videos and published material on stress management (AC group). Participants were evaluated using self-report measures and the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). On measures of self-report, SMART-OP group reported significantly less stress, more perceived control over stress, and rated SMART-OP as significantly more useful than AC. (Rose, R. D., Buckey Jr, J. C., Zbozinek, T. D., Motivala, S. J., Glenn, D. E., Cartreine, J. A., & Craske, M. G. 2013. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0005796712001738)

The second study evaluated the program for its effectiveness in treating depression. 45 participants diagnosed with major depressive disorder or dysthymia were randomized to either receive 6 weeks of the treatment program or no treatment. Participants were evaluated for improvement using the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II). Participants receiving the treatment program showed improvement in depression symptoms from moderate to mild levels of depression. The no-treatment control group showed no significant reduction in scores on the BDI-II. (Sandoval, L. R., Buckey, J. C., Ainslie, R., Tombari, M., Stone, W., & Hegel, M. T. 2017. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0005789416300090)

This 2016 study wanted to investigate computer-based behavioral health countermeasures against stress, conflict, depression on individuals living in an isolated and confined environment. Six people took part in this study (3 males, 3 females). These participants spent eight months in group-isolation and used conflict, stress, and depression modules of the computer-based program. Data on the participants states were done by survey evaluations, data collection within the program and post deployment interviews. It was found that the computer based resources were helpful to the participants helping them maintain behavioral health. (Anderson, A. P., Fellows, A. M., Binsted, K. A., Hegel, M. T., & Buckey, J. C. 2016. https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/asma/amhp/2016/00000087/00000011/art00003)

A feasibility study explored the usability, acceptability, credibility, therapeutic alliance and efficacy of a stand-alone multimedia, interactive, computer-based Problem Solving Treatment program (ePST™) for depression. 23 participants completed a mini mally adequate dose of ePST (at least 4 sessions). Participants rated the program as highly usable, acceptable, and credible, and reported a therapeutic alliance with the program comparable to that observed in live therapy. (Berman, M. I., Buckey Jr, J. C., Hull, J. G., Linardatos, E., Song, S. L., McLellan, R. K., & Hegel, M. T. 2014. https://path.dartmouth.edu/resources/publications/pdf/Berman%20Behav%20Ther%202014nihms-570893.pdf)

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