Genetic Behavioral Trait Assessment Paired With Personalized Recommendations and Coaching to Support Mental Health and Wellness

Abstract

Background

Genetics, environment, and lifestyle each contribute to human behaviors. We have developed a direct-to-consumer genetic assay (Mental Health Map) that allows users to explore their genetic behavioral predispositions and potential interventions that may positively influence mental health and wellness. Based on preliminary consumer feedback suggesting increased desire to take action on their mental health and wellness, we initiated a pilot study to assess several measures of mental health and self-care in individuals both before and after reviewing their Mental Health Map.

Methods

This was a virtual case series in adults who purchased a Mental Health Map. Subjects served as their own control based on survey responses leading up to genetic testing and up to 7 weeks after an introductory coaching session. Coaching included a demonstration of how to navigate the interactive online report, discussion of key results, and provision of additional external resources as appropriate. The co-primary measures were changes in quality of life as measured by WHO-5, report of initiating a discussion or seeking mental health care with a health care provider, report of initiating and sustaining positive lifestyle changes, and subjective improvements in stress management, sleep quality, mood, focus, and social interactions. Secondary measures were changes in GAD-7 and PHQ-9.

Results

Twenty-seven individuals completed the study. Average WHO-5 at baseline was 41.2 which numerically increased to 48.3 at week 7, suggesting improved quality of life, but this effect was not statistically significant. 42.3% of individuals were in treatment with a mental health provider at the time of survey. Of those not in treatment, 33.3% were actively seeking professional mental healthcare prompted by the coaching session. At week 6, 87% of survey respondents (n=15) asserted that they continued to make lifestyle changes that improved stress; 74% made changes to improve mood and 80% made changes that improved their habits. Percentage of respondents who reported lifestyle changes to improve sleep, focus, and social interactions were all less than 70%. In secondary outcomes, average GAD-7 at baseline was 8.9 and decreased to 6.7 at week 7, while PHQ-9 averaged 10.3 at baseline and decreased to 7.5 at week 7. Neither of the secondary outcome measures achieved a statistically significant difference.

Conclusion

Despite the small patient population, this pilot study provides proof-of-concept that Mental Health Map and the accompanying coaching session encourages participants to make positive lifestyle changes and prompts pursuit of a healthcare professional. We also saw numerical trends toward modest improvements in quality of life, anxiety, and depression symptoms, although these differences were not statistically significant, and may require larger sample sizes.

Funding

Genomind