Evidence Synthesis of Digital Interventions to Mitigate the Negative Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Public Mental Health: Rapid Meta-review

Abstract

Background Accumulating evidence suggests the COVID-19 pandemic has negative effects on public mental health. Digital interventions that have been developed and evaluated in recent years may be used to mitigate the negative consequences of the pandemic. However, evidence-based recommendations on the use of existing telemedicine and internet-based (eHealth) and app-based mobile health (mHealth) interventions are lacking. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the theoretical and empirical base, user perspective, safety, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of digital interventions related to public mental health provision (ie, mental health promotion, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders) that may help to reduce the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A rapid meta-review was conducted. The MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CENTRAL databases were searched on May 11, 2020. Study inclusion criteria were broad and considered systematic reviews and meta-analyses that investigated digital tools for health promotion, prevention, or treatment of mental health conditions and determinants likely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Results Overall, 815 peer-reviewed systematic reviews and meta-analyses were identified, of which 83 met the inclusion criteria. Our findings suggest that there is good evidence on the usability, safety, acceptance/satisfaction, and effectiveness of eHealth interventions. Evidence on mHealth apps is promising, especially if social components (eg, blended care) and strategies to promote adherence are incorporated. Although most digital interventions focus on the prevention or treatment of mental disorders, there is some evidence on mental health promotion. However, evidence on process quality, cost-effectiveness, and long-term effects is very limited. Conclusions There is evidence that digital interventions are particularly suited to mitigating psychosocial consequences at the population level. In times of physical distancing, quarantine, and restrictions on social contacts, decision makers should develop digital strategies for continued mental health care and invest time and efforts in the development and implementation of mental health promotion and prevention programs.

Social isolation, mental health, and use of digital interventions in youth during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationally representative survey

“…Information and communication technologies may be particularly important in alleviating COVID-19-related psychosocial consequences [31]. For instance, smartphone applications (apps) help individuals to remotely interact with others (e.g., by using videoconferencing software) and digital interventions, which do not require face-to-face contact (e.g., Internet-based interventions [eHealth] and mobile health applications [mHealth apps]), may help to increase public mental health during health crises [31].…”

“…Information and communication technologies may be particularly important in alleviating COVID-19-related psychosocial consequences [31]. For instance, smartphone applications (apps) help individuals to remotely interact with others (e.g., by using videoconferencing software) and digital interventions, which do not require face-to-face contact (e.g., Internet-based interventions [eHealth] and mobile health applications [mHealth apps]), may help to increase public mental health during health crises [31]. Previous studies have shown that digital tools available in major app stores, especially mHealth apps, are already frequently being used, although most developers do not provide information on their evidence base, safety, and effectiveness [32][33][34].…”

“…Previous studies have shown that digital tools available in major app stores, especially mHealth apps, are already frequently being used, although most developers do not provide information on their evidence base, safety, and effectiveness [32][33][34]. While, in contrast, eHealth and mHealth interventions that have been developed and evaluated by research groups signal great promise on their safety, acceptability, and effectiveness across the whole spectrum of public mental health provision (i.e., mental health promotion, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders), especially if embedded in social and therapeutic contexts (e.g., peer-support and blended care) [31,35]. Thus, although mHealth apps available in app stores should be used with caution, digital interventions may be used to mitigate the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic [31].…”

“…While, in contrast, eHealth and mHealth interventions that have been developed and evaluated by research groups signal great promise on their safety, acceptability, and effectiveness across the whole spectrum of public mental health provision (i.e., mental health promotion, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders), especially if embedded in social and therapeutic contexts (e.g., peer-support and blended care) [31,35]. Thus, although mHealth apps available in app stores should be used with caution, digital interventions may be used to mitigate the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic [31]. If used purposefully, these tools may help to provide low-threshold, timely, and personalized public mental health care and can be tailored to the individual needs-even under the restrictive conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic and without the risk of viral infection [31,[36][37][38].…”

Digitale Versorgungsformen zur Personalisierung der stationsäquivalenten Behandlung

“…B. Datensicherheit, Interoperabilität) und gesetzliche Rahmenbedingungen wie das Medizinproduktgesetz erklärt werden. Vereinzelt werden jedoch telemedizinische Ansätze wie Videokonferenzsoftware bereits genutzt, um die Kommunikation zwischen klinischem Personal und Patient*innen zu unterstützen -wie sich nicht zuletzt seit Ausbruch der COVID-19-Pandemie eindrucksvoll gezeigt hat [28]. Gesundheits-und Medizin-Apps kommen hingegen noch nicht zur routinemäßigen Anwendung.…”