Digital Stress Management with the detoxi App

The program targets adults aged 18 to 65 experiencing stress – especially those with high stress from internet and smartphone use.

Participation in this prevention offer isn’t recommended for people with severe mental health conditions needing treatment. Folks with the conditions listed below shouldn’t use the program:

• Severe mental illnesses requiring treatment.
• Diagnosed impulse control disorders related to media use.

This multimodal stress and resource management program doesn’t replace psychotherapy or psychiatric treatment.

The program lasts 9 weeks. To get your participation confirmation, complete at least 40 missions within that time.

You can have the costs of the certified prevention program “Digital Stress Management with the detoxi App” reimbursed by your health insurance provider. The amount of reimbursement is determined individually by each health insurance company. Generally, two prevention courses per year are reimbursed, covering between 80% and 100% of the costs. You can check the specific regulations using our reimbursement checker or contact your health insurance provider directly.

You can get reimbursed by your health insurance company for the certified prevention program “Digital Stress Management with the detoxi App.” Here’s how it works:

1. Book the course for €99.99. Remember to save your receipt.
2. Complete the course successfully. This requires completing 40 missions within 9 weeks.
3. Then download your certificate of participation in the app.
4. Submit the certificate of participation along with your receipt to your health insurance company.

Here’s a precise English translation of your text:

Who joined the study?

In a study, 920 individuals aged 18 to 65 initially enrolled. They were experiencing elevated stress levels and wanted to reduce their stress and improve their well-being.

What was the study about?

The app-based program Digital Stress Management with the detoxi App aims to reduce stress and improve coping abilities and well-being through daily self-help exercises and educational elements (“missions”). A particular focus is placed on stress related to the use of smartphones and the internet. The program comprises 40 missions, which must be completed within a maximum of 9 weeks to successfully finish.

What was compared?

To examine the program’s effectiveness, data from 457 participants who successfully completed the program and filled out scientific questionnaires at three different time points were analyzed. These were at the beginning of the program (t0), nine weeks after the start (t1), and three months after the start (t2). Pre–post comparisons were conducted at each point to determine the program’s effect.

What was the result?

After nine weeks, the participants who successfully completed the program showed an average reduction in overall stress levels (Cohen’s r = 0.60). On average, well-being (Cohen’s r = 0.49), self-efficacy (Cohen’s r = 0.44), life satisfaction (Cohen’s r = 0.41), positive thinking (Cohen’s r = 0.37), and active coping behavior (Cohen’s r = 0.42) also improved. All these improvements were statistically significant (paired Wilcoxon tests, p < 0.001). Three months after the start, the significant positive effects on all variables remained.

Was the improvement meaningful?

Effect sizes were calculated for all variables to quantify the magnitude of the observed differences. All effect sizes were in the medium to high range (Cohen’s r between 0.37 and 0.60). This indicates that the observed improvements in the studied variables are of practical significance.

Does the frequency of app use make a difference?

The study also examined whether more frequent app use—beyond what is required for successful completion (more than 40 missions within nine weeks)—was associated with greater effectiveness. No clear relationships were found. This suggests that using the app more frequently than necessary for program completion does not provide additional benefit.

How reliable are the study results?

All certified digital health applications are supported by studies that meet high scientific standards. The study on this digital application belongs to the category of prospective pre–post observational studies. Such studies provide reliable evidence of health benefits. Even stronger evidence would be possible through a randomized controlled trial comparing participants who used the program with those who did not.