Assessing the feasibility of an m-Health intervention for changing diet quality and mood in individuals with depression: the My Food & Mood program.

ABSTRACT

Recent randomized controlled trials have shown that improving diet quality reduces symptoms in those with depression. The provision of digital health interventions that can support dietary change in those with depression has important benefits with respect to reach, accessibility convenience and cost. The My Food & Mood study used single arm cohort design to test the feasibility of such an intervention. Participants with current depressive symptoms were recruited and enrolled online to use the My Food & Mood m-Health (smartphone delivered) program for 8 weeks. Participants completed depression (PHQ-8) and dietary questionnaires (MEDAS) at baseline, week 4 and week 8. Metrics of use and intensity of use engagement measures were calculated from system logs and data entries. There was a significant change in both MEDAS score (t = 8.147, df = 44, p < 0.001) and PHQ-8 score (t = -7.199, df = 44, p < 0.001) throughout the study. There was a moderate positive association between change in MEDAS score and activities completed, goals and weeks engaged, and a strong inverse association between change in MEDAS score and change in PHQ-8 score. An m-Health program targeting dietary intervention in those with depression was feasible. Dietary change was associated with higher engagement and reduced depressive symptoms.