Northumbria Primary Care trials AI-powered digital coaching app
- 3 December 2024
- Northumbria Primary Care has concluded a 12-week study exploring the use of digital health interventions for managing hypertension and mental health symptoms
- 69% of participants said they benefited from the Holly Health service and 92% considered it an acceptable digital health intervention
- The feasibility trial forms part of a wider, six-month study that will assess whether digital health interventions can scale cost-effectively and reduce pressure on NHS services
A feasibility study in Northumbria has found that digital health interventions show promise in helping patients manage symptoms and easing pressure on NHS services.
Northumbria Primary Care enrolled 36 patients in a 12-week study to determine whether personalised digital coaching app Holly Health could support lifestyle changes for managing hypertension and comorbid depression or anxiety.
Managing and preventing hypertension through lifestyle changes, such as changes in diet and increased exercise, becomes more challenging for many patients when combined with conditions such as anxiety and depression.
The app aims to offer an integrated solution to address both physical and mental health aspects through AI-powered coaching, habit reminders, education and real-time stress and mood tracking.
After using the app for 12 weeks, 64% of participants said they found the service useful, 69% said they personally benefited from it and 92% said they considered the platform acceptable as a digital health intervention.
The study, which concluded in November 2024, formed part of the Future Economy programme six-month research project led by Innovate UK aimed at understanding whether digital health interventions can support low-cost collaborative clinical trials that reduce strain on NHS services.
Justine Norman, clinical director for quality and research at Northumbria Primary Care said: “We’re thrilled to be taking part in this unique feasibility study and we’re equally interested in understanding how our patients engage with and benefit from an innovative digital approach to support combined physical and mental health conditions.
“The response from patients to take part in the research has been really encouraging.
“Now, we’re looking ahead to the study which has concluded this month and analysing the outcomes which will form a bigger six-month trial to measure the longer-term impact for our patients.”
Northumbria Primary Care reported positive feedback from patients on changes such as eating habits, alcohol consumption and physical activity.
Holly Health was born out of the NHS Innovation Accelerator programme and is designed to enable patients to self-manage their health and ease pressure on healthcare teams.
Daniela Beivide, chief science officer at Holly Health, said: “With prior studies for isolated conditions demonstrating the positive impact of digital interventions to patients and reducing demand on services, this is a clear next step.
“We’re just as excited as our study partner, Northumbria Primary Care, to be investigating whether the same impact can be applied to supporting people with physical and mental health comorbidities.
“If successful, there is huge potential to efficiently and cost-effectively scale the service for large populations to reduce strain on NHS services and create significant change in the economy of the country.”
Holly Health previously partnered with Loughborough University and the Modality Partnership to deliver its digital self-management app, Prevent. The collaboration secured £447,000 from Innovate UK for an 18-month project, which began in May 2024.
