The efficacy of app-supported smartphone interventions for mental health problems: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
App-supported smartphone interventions
anxiety
depression
general psychiatric distress
mental health problems
positive affect
psychological treatments
Journal
World psychiatry : official journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA)
ISSN: 1723-8617
Titre abrégé: World Psychiatry
Pays: Italy
ID NLM: 101189643
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Oct 2019
Oct 2019
Historique:
entrez:
10
9
2019
pubmed:
10
9
2019
medline:
10
9
2019
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Although impressive progress has been made toward developing empirically-supported psychological treatments, the reality remains that a significant proportion of people with mental health problems do not receive these treatments. Finding ways to reduce this treatment gap is crucial. Since app-supported smartphone interventions are touted as a possible solution, access to up-to-date guidance around the evidence base and clinical utility of these interventions is needed. We conducted a meta-analysis of 66 randomized controlled trials of app-supported smartphone interventions for mental health problems. Smartphone interventions significantly outperformed control conditions in improving depressive (g=0.28, n=54) and generalized anxiety (g=0.30, n=39) symptoms, stress levels (g=0.35, n=27), quality of life (g=0.35, n=43), general psychiatric distress (g=0.40, n=12), social anxiety symptoms (g=0.58, n=6), and positive affect (g=0.44, n=6), with most effects being robust even after adjusting for various possible biasing factors (type of control condition, risk of bias rating). Smartphone interventions conferred no significant benefit over control conditions on panic symptoms (g=-0.05, n=3), post-traumatic stress symptoms (g=0.18, n=4), and negative affect (g=-0.08, n=5). Studies that delivered a cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)-based app and offered professional guidance and reminders to engage produced larger effects on multiple outcomes. Smartphone interventions did not differ significantly from active interventions (face-to-face, computerized treatment), although the number of studies was low (n≤13). The efficacy of app-supported smartphone interventions for common mental health problems was thus confirmed. Although mental health apps are not intended to replace professional clinical services, the present findings highlight the potential of apps to serve as a cost-effective, easily accessible, and low intensity intervention for those who cannot receive standard psychological treatment.
Identifiants
pubmed: 31496095
doi: 10.1002/wps.20673
pmc: PMC6732686
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
325-336Informations de copyright
© 2019 World Psychiatric Association.
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