#7164 Development of a self-help CBT-based digital intervention for functional cognitive disorder (Mementum app)

<h3>Objective</h3> Functional cognitive disorder (FCD) accounts for up to half of patients seen in specialised memory clinics, under the age of 65. It is disabling and often does not remit without treatment. No gold-standard treatment exists, and traditional psychotherapy faces geographical, cost, and expertise barriers. We describe the planning and development processes of a new self-help mobile app intervention for FCD (Mementum). <h3>Methods</h3> The intervention follows the UK Medical Research Council’s (MRC) 2021 Complex Interventions framework. A combination of a theory- and user-centered approaches was adopted, drawing on our own previous research, available evidence, and patient’s feedback. The intervention results from a collaboration between neurologists, psychiatrists and psychologists experts in functional and cognitive disorders. A scoping review of remote interventions in functional disorders was conducted. Interviews and focus groups with patients, and workshops with healthcare professionals informed the intervention content and design. A qualitative thematic analysis of patient interviews and focus groups was conducted. <h3>Results</h3> Facilitators and barriers for user engagement were identified from the thematic analysis of stakeholders’ feedback, and informed the design of the intervention. The scoping review informed the new CBT-based model for FCD that was developed expanding on existing programmes for post-concussion symptoms, health anxiety and other functional disorders. The new intervention aims at re-directing attention from symptoms to tasks, regulate anxiety, challenge maladaptive thoughts, and development of strategies to reduce avoidance and safety behaviors. The app will feature a 6-week programme with 7 modules, original videos, patient stories, FAQs, as well as signposting to existing published resources. The app includes other interactive features such as a memory diary and symptom checklist, tailoring of contents to symptoms, homework tasks, and attention training and mindfulness exercises. Users receive guidance via weekly emails and bi-weekly phone support. <h3>Conclusion</h3> We used a systematic approach to develop a novel digital health intervention for FCD. Feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of this intervention will be tested in future studies. This intervention may help inform future interventions for FCD and other neurological disorders.