Efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral digital therapeutic on psychosocial outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis: randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Cognitive behavioral therapy improves psychosocial outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but access is limited. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral digital therapeutic, reclarit, on psychosocial outcomes in adult RA patients with impaired health-related quality of life. Participants were randomized to reclarit plus treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU plus educational and informational material (active control). The primary outcome was SF-36 mental (MCS) and physical (PCS) component summary scores at 3 months, with additional assessments at 6 months. reclarit significantly improved SF-36 MCS scores compared to control (mean difference 3.3 [95% CI 0.7, 5.9]; p = 0.014), with high user satisfaction and sustained improvements at 6 months. Depression, anxiety, fatigue, and social/work functioning also improved significantly, while SF-36 PCS, pain, and disability scores did not differ. In conclusion, reclarit offers immediate, effective, evidence-based and personalized psychological support for RA patients.