The efficacy of smartphone‐based mental health interventions for depressive symptoms: a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

The rapid advances and adoption of smartphone technology presents a novel opportunity for delivering mental health interventions on a population scale. Despite multi-sector investment along with wide-scale advertising and availability to the general population, the evidence supporting the use of smartphone apps in the treatment of depression has not been empirically evaluated. Thus, we conducted the first meta-analysis of smartphone apps for depressive symptoms. An electronic database search in May 2017 identified 18 eligible randomized controlled trials of 22 smartphone apps, with outcome data from 3,414 participants. Depressive symptoms were reduced significantly more from smartphone apps than control conditions (g50.38, 95% CI: 0.24-0.52, p<0.001), with no evidence of publication bias. Smartphone interventions had a moderate positive effect in comparison to inactive controls (g50.56, 95% CI: 0.38-0.74), but only a small effect in comparison to active control conditions (g50.22, 95% CI: 0.10-0.33). Effects from smartphone-only interventions were greater than from interventions which incorporated other human/ computerized aspects along the smartphone component, although the difference was not statistically significant. The studies of cognitive training apps had a significantly smaller effect size on depression outcomes (p50.004) than those of apps focusing on mental health. The use of mood monitoring softwares, or interventions based on cognitive behavioral therapy, or apps incorporating aspects of mindfulness training, did not affect significantly study effect sizes. Overall, these results indicate that smartphone devices are a promising self-management tool for depression. Future research should aim to distil which aspects of these technologies produce beneficial effects, and for which populations.

Clinical review of user engagement with mental health smartphone apps: evidence, theory and improvements

“…With meta-analyses suggesting benefits of smartphone apps for conditions like depression5 and anxiety,6 one might expect apps to be commonly used clinical tools. In reality, the clinical uptake and utilisation of these smartphone apps remains limited, despite the tremendous clinical potential, interest and early supporting evidence.…”

A Web-Based Intervention for Relatives of People Experiencing Psychosis or Bipolar Disorder: Design Study Using a User-Centered Approach (Preprint)

“…As we have progressed into the digital age, the provision of health and social care services have moved towards online models, which widely reported increases in access across a wide variety of patient and caregiver groups [24][25][26]. Digital platforms that provide support for mental health have also proven to be successful and cost effective [27][28][29][30] as they offer flexible accessibility, inclusivity, and anonymity which can be appreciated in a stigmatized mental health context [31]. Therefore, we aimed to develop an online version of the REACT booklet.…”

An Assessment Framework for e-Mental Health Apps in Canada: Results of a Modified Delphi Process (Preprint)

“…According to a recent meta-analysis, smartphone-based mental health apps can have positive effects on depressive symptoms, anxiety and other mental health conditions [4]. Digital solutions, including smartphone apps, can help address some traditional barriers to mental health services-such as cost, capacity, geography and stigma [5].…”