Thinkable

THINKABLE PARTNER RESOURCE

Science and Evidence

Evidence context for partners reviewing Thinkable, intended use, content boundaries, and responsible implementation.

Evidence matters most when it is connected to the intended use. Thinkable is reviewed as a structured mental health support layer for defined partner journeys, with clear boundaries around claims, clinical ownership, and implementation.

Evidence partners review

  • The audience and use case where Thinkable would be deployed.
  • The type of support being provided: education, guided exercises, engagement, or follow-up.
  • The claims that can be responsibly made in the partner context.
  • The workflow for clinical, compliance, or research review.
  • The escalation and safety language users see when they need urgent help.

Evidence guides implementation

The right evidence conversation is not only about citations. It connects research context, content design, user population, and expected outcomes to the specific partner path being considered.

Related pages

Discuss evidence review

RESEARCH LIBRARY

Published studies behind Thinkable.

Review the published research connected to Thinkable, GGtude, and related mobile cognitive training programs. The library is pulled from the live research API so partners can evaluate study type, population, outcomes, and evidence fit.

22Published studies
14Randomized controlled trials
28Condition and topic areas
Observational study2026N=27

Cognitive Training Via mHealth for Addressing OCD-related Beliefs in Adolescents: A Randomized Pilot Study

Merchan O, Pascual-Vera B, Carratalá-Ricart L, Saman Y, Corberán M, Arnáez S, Doron G, Roncero M, García-Soriano G

Child Psychiatry & Human Development

OCDmaladaptive beliefs

This pilot study found the mHealth protocol and GGOC-AD app to be feasible, acceptable, and usable in adolescents. However, preliminary efficacy analysis revealed no significant intervention effects on OCD symptoms, maladaptive beliefs, emotional symptoms, or self-esteem in the experimental group compared to control (e.g., for OCD symptoms, F1,25 = 1.42; p=.24, η²p = 0.05).

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Randomized controlled trial2026N=93

Cognitive training via mobile app for addressing eating disorder-related cognitions in the general adolescent population: Randomized controlled trial

Marta Corberán, Sandra Arnáez, Ángel Carrasco, Yuliya Saman, Laura Carratalá-Ricart, Odalis I. Merchan, Belén Pascual-Vera, Guy Doron, Gemma García-Soriano, María Roncero

Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry

eating disorders

The mobile app intervention significantly reduced dysfunctional concerns about acceptance by others based on weight/shape (medium effect size, d=-0.38) and eating disorder symptoms related to figure concern (small effect size, d=-0.21) in adolescents compared to controls. A marginally significant reduction was also found for food concerns (d=-0.25). These positive effects were maintained at a 1-month follow-up, though no significant changes were observed for depression, body satisfaction, or self-esteem.

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Randomized controlled trial2025N=85

A randomized controlled trial evaluating an mHealth intervention for anger-related cognitions in misophonia

Tamar Yonit Podoly, Hadar Even-Ezra, Guy Doron

Journal of Affective Disorders

misophoniaanger

The mHealth app intervention significantly reduced misophonia symptoms (d=0.06-0.52) and anger-related metacognitions (d=0.47) in the immediate app use group compared to delayed use. Within-group analyses showed substantial reductions in misophonia symptoms (d=0.62-1.75) and anger-related outcomes (d=0.85-0.92), with improvements sustained at 1-month follow-up. However, mediation analyses did not support that these effects were indirectly mediated by changes in rumination or anger-related metacognitions.

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Randomized controlled trial2025N=85

Evaluating the combined effects of mobile computerized CBT and post-learning oscillatory modulation on self-esteem: a randomized controlled trial

Limor Shtoots, Asher Nadler, Avi Gamoran, Daniel A. Levy & Guy Doron

Scientific Reports

self-esteem

The mobile computerized CBT intervention (GGSE) significantly improved self-esteem in young adults with low self-esteem, with medium to large effect sizes (Cohen's d ranging from 0.55 to 0.88 from baseline across groups and time points). These improvements were maintained for up to six months post-treatment across all groups, and 20% of participants achieved clinically meaningful improvement. However, post-treatment oscillatory entrainment (theta or beta) did not provide additional long-term benefits compared to the CBT-only control group.

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Real-world data2025N=2306

Gamifying Mental Health Treatment: A Mobile Interface Design for PTSD Intervention

Guy Doron, Dr Danny Derby, Avi Gamoran

CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

PTSD

The mobile app significantly reduced PTSD symptoms, with a medium effect size (d=0.594) at initial usage and a large effect size (d=0.789) at final assessment. Notably, 28.1% of users achieved clinically reliable improvement (≥18 point reduction) within an average of 33.88 days, suggesting that brief, game-like digital interactions can effectively reduce PTSD symptoms.

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Observational study2025N=42

What Do Adolescents Think About an App Designed to Reduce Cognitive Risk Factors for Eating Disorders? A Mixed Methods Study

Laura Carratalá-Ricart, Sandra Arnáez, Odalis Isabel Merchán, Marta Corberán, Yuliya Saman, Belén Pascual-Vera, Guy Doron, Gemma García-Soriano, María Roncero

Behavior Therapy

eating disorders

The GGED-AD app demonstrated satisfactory usability (SUS mean = 73.33, SD = 13.84) and high levels of perceived usefulness and satisfaction (USE total score = 4.18, SD = 1.64). Qualitatively, all participants found the app's design appealing and 100% would recommend it, with 73.8% reporting positive behavioral changes like reduced negative thoughts. However, 21% of users reported difficulty understanding some specific content, and 38.1% disagreed with some feedback, highlighting areas for improvement in future app revisions.

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Randomized controlled trial2023N=70

A randomized clinical trial of a gamified app for the treatment of perfectionism

Amitai Abramovitch, Akuekegbe Uwadiale, Anthony Robinson

British Journal of Clinical Psychology

perfectionismOCD symptoms

The gamified app group showed significant reductions in perfectionism (large effect size, d=-1.19) and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (medium effect size, η²=.07) compared to the waitlist group. Significant improvements were also observed in functional impairments and subjective emotional burden (large effect size, d=-.82), with gains largely maintained at one-month follow-up. The study suggests this app-based intervention is a viable, low-cost alternative for treating maladaptive perfectionism in college students.

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Real-world data2023N=46955

Effectiveness of brief daily training using a mobile app in reducing obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms: Examining real world data of "OCD.app - Anxiety, mood & sleep"

Avi Gamoran, Guy Doron

Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

OCD

The mobile app demonstrated effectiveness in reducing OCD symptoms in real-world settings, with medium effect sizes (Cohen's d=0.37 from T0 to T1) and medium-large effect sizes (Cohen's d=0.66 from T0 to T-final) on OCI-R scores. These reductions were most pronounced in users with severe OCD symptoms, with 16% achieving clinically significant improvement (OCI-R change ≥21). The study supports the effectiveness of OCD.app for reducing a full range of OCD symptoms.

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Randomized controlled trial2023N=103

Promoting couples’ resilience to relationship obsessive compulsive disorder (ROCD) symptoms using a CBT-based mobile application: A randomized controlled trial

Gorelik M, Szepsenwol O, Doron G

Heliyon

ROCDOCD

The CBT-based mobile app (GGRO) significantly prevented the increase in both relationship-centered and partner-focused ROCD symptoms observed in the control group. The intervention group also showed enhanced resilience to ROCD triggering cues (ηp² = 0.13), reduced relationship catastrophization, obsessional beliefs, and anxious attachment over time, with effects largely persisting at a one-month follow-up. These findings suggest that concurrent mobile-delivered cognitive training by both partners can foster resilience and mitigate ROCD-related distress in romantic couples.

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Observational study2022N=26

Brief cognitive-behavioral training for tinnitus relief using a mobile application: A pilot open trial

Yahav Oron, Boaz M Ben David, Guy Doron

Health Informatics Journal

tinnitus

This pilot open trial found a significant large-effect size reduction (Cohen's d = 2.12) in tinnitus handicap (H-THI scores) among the 14 completers. 50% of completers demonstrated reliable clinical change. However, no significant change was found in mood.

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Randomized controlled trial2022N=47

Cognitive training using a mobile app as a coping tool against COVID-19 distress: A crossover randomized controlled trial

Burcin Akin-Sari, Mujgan Inozu, A. Bikem Haciomeroglu, Ezgi Trak, Damla Tufan, Guy Doron

Journal of Affective Disorders

COVID-19 distressdepressionintolerance of uncertaintyobsessive beliefs

The mobile app-based cognitive training (GGcov) led to significant large effect-size reductions (Cohen's d ranging from 0.81 to 2.35) in COVID-19 distress, depression, intolerance of uncertainty, obsessive beliefs, anxiety, and stress symptoms in the immediate-app group (T0 to T1). These improvements were replicated in the delayed-app group following crossover (T1 to T2) and maintained at follow-up, highlighting the usefulness of brief, low-intensity, portable interventions for mental health during the pandemic.

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Randomized controlled trial2022N=55

Cognitive Training via a Mobile Application to Reduce Obsessive-Compulsive-Related Distress and Cognitions During the COVID-19 Outbreaks: A Randomized Controlled Trial Using a Subclinical Cohort

Akin-Sari B, Inozu M, Haciomeroglu AB, Cekci BC, Uzumcu E, Doron G

Behavior Therapy

OCDobsessive beliefsintolerance of uncertaintycontamination cognitions

This randomized controlled trial found that 12 days of mobile app-based cognitive training significantly reduced OCD symptoms and maladaptive cognitions in a subclinical cohort during the COVID-19 pandemic, with large effect-size reductions (Cohen's d ranging from .87 to 2.73). These improvements were observed in both immediate and delayed intervention groups and were maintained at follow-up. The intervention also effectively reduced intolerance of uncertainty.

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Randomized controlled trial2022N=95

Cognitive training via a mobile application to reduce some forms of body dissatisfaction in young females at high-risk for body image disorders: A randomized controlled trial

Silvia Cerea, Guy Doron, Teresa Manoli, Federica Patania, Gioia Bottesi, Marta Ghisi

Body Image

body dissatisfactionBDDeating disordersbody image

The mobile app (GGBI) significantly reduced extreme body dissatisfaction/BDD symptoms, with 34.74% of participants achieving reliable change. For the delayed-use group, large effect sizes were observed in body dissatisfaction (np² = 0.50) and BDD symptoms (np² = 0.28) after crossover. While within-group analyses indicated large effect-size reductions for drive for thinness (np² = 0.12) and eating disorder risk (np² = 0.15), overall effects on ED symptoms and associated psychological features were more limited.

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Randomized controlled trial2021N=315

A Smartphone Intervention for People With Serious Mental Illness: Fully Remote Randomized Controlled Trial of CORE

Dror Ben-Zeev, Ayesha Chander, Justin Tauscher, Benjamin Buck, Subigya Nepal, Andrew Campbell, Guy Doron

Journal of Medical Internet Research

bipolar disordermajor depressive disorderschizophreniaschizoaffective disorder

The CORE smartphone intervention showed significant treatment-time interactions leading to large effects on depression (BDI-II, d=0.58), recovery (RAS, d=0.61), and self-esteem (RSES, d=0.64). Moderate effects were seen for disability (SDS, d=0.44) and small effects for anxiety (GAD-7, d=0.20). These improvements were replicated in the waitlist control group after crossover, indicating CORE is an effective tool for reducing psychiatric symptoms and disability while improving recovery and self-esteem.

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Real-world data2021N=5320

Can self-esteem be improved using short daily training on mobile applications? Examining real world data of GG Self-esteem users

Martha Giraldo-O'Meara & Guy Doron

Clinical Psychologist

self-esteem

Significant increases in self-esteem ratings were observed across all three assessment points (Level 1, 20, 46), with a large effect size (Cohen's d = 1.38) from baseline to the third assessment. Mood ratings significantly increased from baseline to the second assessment with a moderate effect size (Cohen's d = 0.41-0.50), but no further increase was found at the third assessment. The findings suggest that CBT-based mHealth applications can be useful for increasing user wellness and reducing distress in real-world settings.

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Randomized controlled trial2021N=50

Cognitive Behavioral Training Using a Mobile Application Reduces Body Image-Related Symptoms in High-Risk Female University Students: A Randomized Controlled Study

Cerea S, Ghisi M, Bottesi G, Manoli T, Carraro E, Doron G

Behavior Therapy

body imagebody dissatisfactionbody dysmorphic disordereating disorders

The CBT-based mobile application significantly reduced body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) symptoms in high-risk female university students, showing a medium effect size (partial eta squared) reduction in the immediate-use group. Post-intervention BDD symptoms were under the cut-off for extreme body dissatisfaction in both groups. However, the intervention had limited effects on eating disorder symptoms.

Randomized controlled trial2020N=90

Building resilience to body image triggers using brief cognitive training on a mobile application: A randomized controlled trial

Dinur Aboody, Jedidiah Siev, Guy Doron

Behaviour Research and Therapy

body image

The mobile app intervention led to significant reductions in body image disturbance (d=0.61) and physical appearance trait anxiety (d=0.89), and increases in body appreciation (d=0.67) and self-esteem (d=0.55). Participants also showed increased resilience to body-image related triggers on an Instagram task, reporting greater appearance satisfaction (post-test d=0.56, follow-up d=0.63) and less anxiety about their body (post-test d=0.44, follow-up d=0.45). These improvements were maintained at a 1-month follow-up.

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Randomized controlled trial2020N=50

Reaching reliable change using short, daily, cognitive training exercises delivered on a mobile application: The case of Relationship Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (ROCD) symptoms and cognitions in a subclinical cohort

Silvia Cerea, Marta Ghisi, Gioia Bottesi, Eleonora Carraro, Denise Broggio, Guy Doron

Journal of Affective Disorders

ROCDOCDsocial anxietyself-esteem

The iApp group showed a greater decrease in ROCD symptoms, OCD beliefs, and social anxiety symptoms, and a greater increase in self-esteem compared to the dApp group at T1. The Reliable Change Index (RCI) indicated reliable change on ROCD symptoms for 42-52% of participants. Short, daily cognitive training interventions delivered via mobile applications may be useful in reducing subclinical ROCD symptoms and associated features, with medium-large effect size reductions.

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Randomized controlled trial2019N=97

Can Brief, Daily Training Using a Mobile App Help Change Maladaptive Beliefs? Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial

Roncero M, Belloch A, Doron G

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth

OCDROCD

The GGRO mobile app, used daily for 15 days, led to medium-to-large effect size reductions in OCD-related beliefs (Cohen's d=0.84), partner-focused Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (ROCD) symptoms (d=0.42), and increased self-esteem (d=0.42) in the immediate-use group compared to the waitlist. These positive effects on maladaptive beliefs, OCD symptoms, ROCD symptoms, and self-esteem were maintained at 15-day follow-up. Upon crossover, the delayed-use group also showed significant reductions in these measures.

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Observational study2018N=36

A novel approach to challenging OCD related beliefs using a mobile-app: An exploratory study

Roncero M, Belloch A, Doron G

Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry

OCDROCD

The study found significant reductions in OCD symptoms (Cohen's d=0.85) and OCD-related beliefs (Cohen's d=0.71) among the 20 completers after 15 days of mobile app training. Reductions in OCD-beliefs were associated with a decrease in OCD symptoms. No significant changes were observed in depression symptoms.

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Case study2018N=1

Assisting relapse prevention in OCD using a novel mobile app-based intervention: A case report

Pascual-Vera B, Roncero M, Doron G, Belloch A

Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic

OCDdepression

In this single-case study, a 26-year-old woman with severe OCD showed significant improvement after two weeks of using the GGOC mobile app for relapse prevention. Her Y-BOCS score decreased from 7 to 2, achieving recovery criteria. Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire (OBQ-20) and Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (OCI-R) scores also decreased, with the largest reduction in 'importance/control of thoughts' beliefs (3.2 points). The app was effective in maintaining and increasing therapeutic gains post-CBT, with the patient remaining symptom-free at 2-year follow-up.

Randomized controlled trialN=94

GGOC-AD: a mHealth tool to challenge obsessive-compulsive related maladaptive beliefs in Spanish community adolescents: a randomized controlled trial.

Saman Y, Pascual-Vera B, Carrasco Á, Corberán M, Merchán O, Carratalá-Ricart L, Arnáez S, Doron G, Roncero M, García-Soriano G

In press

OCDanxietydepressionself-esteem

Completing the GGOC-AD intervention significantly lowered maladaptive beliefs related to responsibility and threat estimation (d=0.30), perfectionism and intolerance of uncertainty (d=0.24), and importance and need to control thoughts (d=0.48). It also led to statistically significant reductions in OCD symptoms (d=0.34). No significant effects were observed on emotional symptoms (anxiety, depression) or self-esteem.