A Californian psychologist says his patients reported that regular texts about their treatment helped uplift their moods and improve their mental attitude.
Adrian Aguilera, a social welfare professor at the University of California-Berkeley, launched his “Short Message Service” programme in 2010 among his low-income Latino patients.
The patients quickly expressed their happiness with the automated text messages, which encouraged them to take their medications and keep a positive perspective.
“When I was in a difficult situation and I received an SMS, I felt much better,” a patient expressed his feelings at San Francisco General Hospital.
“I felt cared for and supported,” he said. “My mood even improved.”
Aguilera said the texting concept was mix of technology and therapy. Many of his patients had a cellphone with a prepaid monthly plan—and many also had trouble translating the lessons of therapy into their daily lives. “So I thought about using mobile phones to send text messages to remind them to practise the skills covered in therapy sessions,” he said.
Technotherapy: SMS a day keeps depression away
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