Before you sign up for this study, please read the participant information sheet here.

To make sure you are eligible to take part in this study, please refer to the checklist below. To continue signing up click on 'read and understood' green button:

  • You have access to an iPhone (running iOS 15 or higher) that can connect to the internet. Currently the app is unavailable to Android devices.

  • You are over 18 years of age and located in the UK (except Northern Ireland).

  • You have symptoms of generalised anxiety and worry and are seeking help. You may be experiencing symptoms of low mood, but if you are particularly struggling with low mood this study may not be for you.

  • You are not currently receiving therapy.

  • You are not experiencing symptoms of psychosis, personality disorder, eating disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, substance abuse.

  • You do not have a formal diagnosis of an untreated mental health condition (except for generalised anxiety or depression).

  • You have not had a change in medication prescribed for a mental health condition (e.g. antidepressants) in the past one month.

  • You do not have an impairment that would prevent you from being able to use a smartphone (this app has not yet undergone accessibility evaluation)

  • You are literate in the English language (this app is only currently available in English)

  • You have not previously participated in a study with ieso using the smartphone app

I have read and understood

Do you need support with your worries and anxiety?

Would you like to participate in our research study?

We are conducting this study to understand your experience with our new app-based 6-week digital programme to help with your anxiety.

We know that mental health apps are being widely used, but evidence shows that many people do not find these very engaging. In this study, we aim to understand whether people find our new programme useful for them and how it makes them feel.  

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First, let us introduce ourselves

ieso provides mental health services to the NHS across England and Scotland. Our standard therapy service uses text-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) where people live chat with their dedicated qualified therapist via our secure online platform.
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We have taken everything we've learned in treating over 120,000 people through our therapy service to build a new app-based programme for people living with anxiety and worry. The programme has been written and designed through careful observation of what works from over 650,000 hours of ieso delivered therapy. While the app and digital guide deliver the programme, users are supported by care coordination and clinician oversight throughout the study.

A typed conversation shown on a mobile screen between a patient and clinician.

About the programme used in this research study

An app-based programme that takes place over a course of 6 weeks, featuring 8 hours of clinical content broken down into bitesize weekly sessions - allowing you to work through the programme around your other commitments.
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The app will walk you through videos, educational content, and you will have interactive conversations with a digital guide, written by ieso’s accredited clinicians – all designed to help you understand and manage your feelings of anxiety, worry and stress.

Based on user experience
Created by Cognitive Behavioural Therapy therapists and psychologists
Helps you develop practical skills to use in day-to-day life

How does the programme work?

Fast-to-access
‍Support for managing feelings of worry and anxiety
Available anytime, anywhere
‍8 hours of clinical content and activities broken down into bitesize weekly sessions - so you can work this programme around your commitments 
No travel required
‍Sessions are confidential and can take place wherever you feel most comfortable. All you need is a smartphone to get started 
Guidance towards living well
‍Learn practical skills to use in day-to-day life to build positive long-term habits
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I am more than what my mind sees me as, or than how other people see me. Every situation is different, and I have the power to control my story.

What happens next?

1. Understand the study

It is important to understand why we are conducting this research, and what is involved.  Please read this information sheet carefully, talk to others about taking part and take your time to decide.

Read the participant information sheet here.

2. Screening questionnaire, eligibility, and consent

During sign-up, you will answer some screening questions. Depending on your answers, you will be invited to schedule a live typed chat with one of our study clinicians, so that we can ensure the study is right for you.

You are always welcome to ask questions, and if you’re eligible, you will also have an opportunity to ask questions before we ask for your consent prior to participating.

3. Start the programme

You will then be given access to the 6-week digital app programme to use at home in your own time. At the start, middle and end of the programme we will ask you to complete some additional questionnaires specific to this research study about how you are feeling and your experience with the app.

4. Support

At the end of the study, you will have the option to discuss the next steps for your care in a live typed chat with our study clinician using our secure online platform.

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Questions

How long is the study?

In this study, you will receive a digital programme to interact with over 6-weeks on your own iPhone from home. The programme involves around 2 hours of activities per week spread across 2-3 sessions.
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Additionally, you will be asked to have a small number of phone calls with the research team to briefly check-in, complete weekly questionnaires, and practice mental exercises outside of the app. We will also follow up with you one month after you finish the programme. Altogether these extra activities that are outside the programme and specific to this research study will take around 3 hours over the whole study.

Will my personal data be kept safe and secure?

We comply with all UK data protection laws, and recognised standards for data security. We collect minimal personally identifiable information and keep it strictly confidential. Only a small group from the research team will access your identifiable information for study-related communication. Your other study data, such as questionnaire scores, will be de-identified, ensuring our researchers analysing this data cannot access your identifiable information.

Please read our privacy notice for more details.

Will I be paid for taking part in the study?

You will be compensated £60 in vouchers for the time spent on additional questionnaires and check-in calls with our research team outside of the programme.

Do I have to take part?

No, participating in this study is completely voluntary. If you choose not to participate, your future clinical treatment and usual standard of care will not be affected in any way.

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Who can take part in this study?

You have access to an iPhone (running iOS 15 or higher) that can connect to the internet
You are over 18 years of age and located in the UK
You have mild to severe symptoms of generalised anxiety and worry and are seeking help in the form of therapy, but you do not have severe depressive symptoms
You are not currently receiving psychological therapy
You are not experiencing symptoms of psychosis, personality disorder, eating disorder, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Bi-Polar Disorder, substance abuse
You do not have a formal diagnosis of an untreated mental health condition (except for generalised anxiety or depression)
You have not had a change in medication prescribed for a mental health condition (e.g. antidepressants) in the past 1 month
You have the capacity to decide for yourself whether to participate in this study
You do not have an impairment that would prevent you from being able to use a phone app (this app has not yet undergone accessibility evaluation)
You are literate in the English Language (this app is currently only available in English)
You have not previously participated in a study with ieso using the smartphone app
A clinician will not monitor or review what you type into the app and the app will not provide a direct line to a clinician.
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If you are concerned about your ability to keep yourself safe, please:
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  • If it is an emergency dial 999
  • Call NHS 111 by dialling 111  
  • Find your local NHS urgent mental health helpline here
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I am more than what my mind sees me as, or than how other people see me. Every situation is different, and I have the power to control my story.

ieso programme app user

Next steps

It is important to understand why we are conducting this research, and what is involved.  Please read this information sheet carefully, talk to others about taking part and take your time to decide.

Read participant information sheet