CompletedInterventional

Improving accessibility of a digital body-based therapy for anxiety

Many people with anxiety find that talking therapies or medications do not fully work for them. Researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School and the NHS are testing a new approach called ADIE therapy. This body-based therapy uses an app and a small heart sensor to help you notice and understand your own heartbeat, which can help calm feelings of anxiety. In this study, adults using participating NHS Talking Therapies services will receive a tablet computer and heart sensor by post. You will be randomly chosen to complete six sessions either working together with a therapist over video call, or guiding yourself through the app. The researchers also want to make sure the new heart sensor works well for everyone, including people with darker skin tones or poorer circulation. Taking part is completely voluntary and done from the comfort of your home.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

University of Sussex

Enrolment target

100

Start

15 Oct 2024

Estimated completion

31 May 2026

Anxiety

What is this study about?

Anxiety can cause strong physical reactions, such as a racing heart, tight chest, or fluttering stomach. For many people, standard treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or medicines do not provide enough relief. This may be especially true for neurodivergent adults or people living with long-term physical health issues. This trial looks at an innovative therapy called ADIE, which stands for Aligning Dimensions of Interoceptive Experience. Instead of focusing only on your thoughts, it teaches you to accurately notice your inner body signals, starting with your heartbeat.

During the study, participants use a digital system called 'HeartRater:Clinical'. You wear a gentle sensor that tracks your pulse and complete simple exercises on a touchscreen tablet. In earlier tests, this helped reduce anxiety in autistic adults. However, older sensors sometimes struggled to pick up signals accurately on darker skin or in people with colder hands and poor blood flow. This project uses an improved sensor designed with patients to make the therapy inclusive, fair, and easy to use for everyone.

Researchers want to see if offering this therapy through NHS Talking Therapies services helps people feel better. They also want to compare whether having a therapist join you over video call works better than using the programme on your own. The results could give the NHS a helpful new tool to treat anxiety in a way that directly addresses the body's physical stress signals.

Key takeaways

Tests an innovative, body-focused digital therapy (ADIE) for anxiety.
Uses a home kit with a pulse sensor and tablet computer provided for free.
Compares therapist-guided video sessions against self-guided use.
Designed to be inclusive for all skin tones and circulation levels.
Participants receive £10 per hour for completing study assessments.

Who may be eligible?

You may be able to join this study if you are 18 or older and have been referred to a participating NHS Talking Therapies service in Sussex or South London. You should have a diagnosis of generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety, or panic disorder. Because the study takes place at home, you will need a reliable home internet connection and your own smartphone, tablet, or computer that can make video calls.

This study is not suitable for everyone. You cannot take part if you are pregnant, experiencing severe depression, having thoughts of suicide, or living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is also not suitable if you take medication for an irregular heartbeat, or if paying close attention to your heart causes you extreme worry or health anxiety.

If you have already taken part in a previous research trial testing ADIE therapy, you will not be able to join this one.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

I am aged 18 or over.
I have generalised anxiety, social anxiety, or panic disorder.
I am registered or referred to a participating NHS Talking Therapies service.
I have reliable home internet and a device that can do video calls.
I do not have heart rhythm conditions or intense worry about my heart health.
I am not pregnant and do not have severe depression, PTSD, or OCD.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you agree to take part, you will first complete a screening check to make sure the study is safe and right for you. You will then be placed into one of two groups by chance (like flipping a coin). One group completes the therapy with regular guidance from a therapist over video calls, while the other group completes the therapy independently.

A parcel will be sent to your home containing everything you need: a tablet computer, the pulse sensor, and clear step-by-step instructions. You will use the kit to complete a starting assessment, followed by six therapy sessions where you practice heartbeat awareness exercises. You will also answer brief questions about your mood after session four and session six so researchers can see how you are progressing.

Once your six sessions are finished, a courier will collect the equipment from your doorstep. You will then have a follow-up appointment with an NHS therapist to talk about your progress and see if you need any further care. You can also choose to take part in an optional one-hour chat with the research team to share your feedback about the technology.

Potential risks and benefits

A potential benefit of joining is that the therapy may help you understand your body's stress signals and reduce your anxiety. You will also help improve NHS mental health tools for other people in the future. To thank you for completing the study questionnaires, you will receive £10 per hour of assessment time. A possible risk is that focusing closely on your heart could temporarily make some people feel slightly more anxious. If the therapy does not help your symptoms, the NHS team will work with you to find other treatments. You are free to stop the study at any time without giving a reason, and your regular NHS care will never be affected.

Locations (3)

Brighton and Sussex Medical School
City only
Brighton, England
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Approximate
Worthing, England
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Beckenham, England

Common questions

Do I have to travel to a hospital or clinic?

No. All therapy sessions and assessments are completed from your own home. The equipment is posted to you and collected by a courier when you finish.

Does the heartbeat sensor hurt?

Not at all. The sensor rests gently against your skin to detect your pulse, much like a smartwatch or a fitness tracker.

What happens if I get stuck in the self-guided group?

The equipment comes with clear instructions, and technical help is available. After the study finishes, everyone meets with an NHS therapist to review how they are feeling.

Do I have to pay for the tablet or sensor?

No, all equipment is provided free of charge by the research team for you to borrow during the study.

Can I leave the study if it makes me uncomfortable?

Yes. Taking part is entirely voluntary. You can stop at any point, and your standard NHS mental health support will continue as normal.

How to find out more

Lisa Quadt

l.quadt@bsms.ac.uk +44 (0)1273 876771 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.