Nerva, a mobile application of gut-directed hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome: User characteristics, patterns of use, and predictors of persistence

Abstract

Background Hypnotic intervention for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or gut-directed hypnotherapy (GDH), is an effective treatment for improving IBS symptoms with minimal burden and risk in delivery to patients. The Nerva app, developed by Mindset Health, shows promise for dissemination and implementation of evidence-based GDH intervention for IBS. Objectives This study aimed to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of Nerva app users, examine usage patterns, and explore potential factors associated with Nerva app usage. Methods A retrospective analysis of data was conducted of 14,898 individuals who downloaded and used the Nerva app between January 2022 and September 2022. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests of independence were calculated to examine demographic/clinical characteristics, usage patterns, and their associations to program persistence. Simple linear regression models were used for correlations of GI symptoms severity scores to user persistence. Results Users predominantly identified as female (77.2%; n = 11,503) and had a mean age of 38.59 years old ( SD = 13.38). Thirty-one percent of users persisted with the program, and a small statistically significant association was found between Nerva app program persistence and age, χ 2 (6, N = 6745) = 164.82, p < 0.001, V = .16. Conclusions The present study found promising adherence rates for the Nerva app program within the first six weeks of use. Statistics in prevalence estimates of IBS agree with previous literature and significant associations were found between user/clinical characteristics and Nerva app program persistence.