Developing a smartphone application for the life enhancement treatment for substance use (lets act)

Abstract

The Life Enhancement Treatment for Substance Use (LETS ACT) is a behavioral activation based treatment for comorbid depression and substance use (Daughters et al, 2008). We describe the iterative design process for including motivational and informational attributes in a smartphone application supporting treatment via LETS ACT and LETS ACT-SE (Daughters & Chen, 2014). Design of the app was uniquely constrained by the need to meet clinical requirements while serving a special population of substance users. The primary goal of LETS ACT is to motivate the user to identify, engage in, and continue engaging in rewarding activities that align with their important life areas, goals, and values, and thus extend the effects of treatment sessions through self-management. In support of this primary goal, the goal of the app is to motivate the user to continue to use the application, and thus to adhere to the primary goal: self- management of treatment. In efficacy studies of LETS ACT and LETS ACT-SE, users could see their progress on paper (Daughters et al, 2008; Magidson et al, 2011) or on a web based platform. How to capitalize on the additional interactive affordances of a standalone smartphone application for this user group was unknown. The two challenges of providing information and motivation were at the core of the app design.

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