Digital healthcare firm Kry has announced plans to roll-out its internet cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) programme for mental health issues across Europe.

The ICBT service, which is already available in Sweden, can be used to book treatment for conditions such as depression, anxiety and stress on a smartphone via the Kry app.

It provides a personalised treatment pathway which enables patients to manage symptoms when needed and have instant access to specialist support.

Kry says that average patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) scores for patients with depression enrolled in the new ICBT programme improved from moderately severe to mild in 8-12 weeks, which are comparable to those seen with traditional face-to-face CBT in a study published in BMC Psychiatry.

In 2022, the programme will aim to support additional services including insomnia treatment, parental connect programmes and chronic disease management for hypertension, diabetes and blood pressure.

WHY IT MATTERS

With close to one billion people diagnosed with mental health disorders, and the pandemic limiting access to primary care services , digital healthcare can help make mental health care more accessible.

THE LARGER CONTEXT

Earlier this year Kry announced it had raised €259 million ($300m) to fuel its European expansion.

Meanwhile, digital therapeutic course 'HelloBetter Stress and Burnout' can now be prescribed to around 50 million adults in Germany after being approved by the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices as a Digital Health Application (DiGA).

Also in Scotland, adults can now access Big Health’s digital therapeutics apps Daylight and Sleepio for free via the NHS.

A recent study by Imperial College London found that digitised neurofeedback therapy through the Stress Point Health app was effective in treating stress, anxiety and PTSD.

ON THE RECORD

Johannes Schildt, CEO Kry said: “We see mental health as health and everyone in Europe should have the right to access support when they need it. We have delivered over 200m patient interactions and with years of experience in providing gold standard digital mental health provision - now totalling over 300,000 appointments across Europe - we’re seeing up to a threefold increase in mental health related appointments.

“Our mobile first ICBT programme, combined with physical care, offers a progressive approach for psychologists and patients alike. We can now enable more patients to have equal access to safe and responsive mental health treatment at scale.”

Jesper Enander, chief psychologist Kry, said: “As psychologists we want to make sure that every patient receives the highest chance of improving from their mental health issues and enhancing their quality of life. 

“The science already informs us that ICBT is as effective as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). But the real game changer is that ICBT, through a device we have in our pockets, can literally supercharge our efforts to deliver a standardised, yet highly flexible approach for mental health, with a focus on qualitative and personalised care for our patients.”