1. Smartphone mental health apps have a small but significant effect on reduction of general anxiety and depressive symptoms.
2. Mental health apps which incorporate cognitive behavioral therapy, or chatbot features have the greatest impact on symptom reduction.
Evidence Rating Level: 1 (Excellent)
Treatment of mental health disorders is being revolutionized by technological innovation. Smartphone apps geared towards mental health have become a very popular tool for managing mental health symptoms. With an overburdened healthcare system, access to mental health care has become increasingly difficult in recent years. Smartphone apps can be a cost effective, quick tool that individuals can access at their own convenience. Previous research has shown strong support for the efficacy of smartphone apps to manage symptoms of depression and general anxiety. However, precise and powerful analysis on the effects of mental health management by smartphone apps has been limited by a lack of studies.
This meta-analysis included studies published up until June 2023 which looked at the impact of smartphone apps on managing symptoms of general anxiety and depression. 176 randomized control trials from 174 papers which compared smartphone apps to controls (placebo, face-to-face treatment, waitlist) on managing symptoms of anxiety and depression were included in the meta-analysis. Studies which blended app and web-based interventions, apps which did not have mental health as a sole focus (ie. diet apps), text messaging, and studies which incorporated apps with face-to-face therapy were excluded. The smartphone apps used in the studies incorporated mood tracking, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or chatbot features. The primary outcome measure was the reduction of general anxiety or depressive symptoms.
Compared to control groups, smartphone apps caused a small but significant reduction of general anxiety or depressive symptoms. Reduction of general anxiety symptoms was most profound when apps were primarily geared towards general anxiety, and incorporated CBT into management. Reduction of depressive symptoms was most significant when apps used CBT, or chatbot features. These effects persisted upon follow-up which took place 1-4, or 5-12 weeks post initial assessment. A limitation of this study is the heterogeneity in the samples studied in terms of severity of symptoms, and the quality of apps used. Nevertheless, to date this is the most comprehensive study to investigate the efficacy of smartphone apps on the management of mental health symptoms. Smartphone apps are a worthwhile adjunct to conventional treatment clinicians may consider incorporating into management of general anxiety and depression.
Click here to read this study in World Psychiatry
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