Text Messaging as an Adjunct to CBT in Low-Income Populations: A Usability and Feasibility Pilot Study

This article outlines the development and usability-feasibility testing of an automated text-messaging adjunct to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression in a public sector clinic serving low-income patients. The text-messaging adjunct is aimed at increasing homework adherence, improving self-awareness, and helping track patient progress. Daily text messages were sent to patients, inquiring about their mood. Additional daily messages corresponded to themes of a manualized group CBT intervention. These included (1) thought tracking (both positive and negative), (2) tracking of pleasant activities, (3) tracking of positive and negative contacts, and (4) tracking of physical well-being. We tested the adjunct in 2 CBT groups (1 English & 1 Spanish) consisting of 12 patients total during and after treatment. Participants responded at a rate of 65% to text messages, and they reported overall positive experiences. We propose that text messaging has the potential to improve mental health care broadly, and among low-income populations specifically, with cost-effective means.