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Efficacy of mobile applications in treating depression: systemic review and meta-analysis

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Titel: Efficacy of mobile applications in treating depression: systemic review and meta-analysis
Autoren: Eiman Araib, Usama Khan, Umama Alam, Manahil Moazzam
Quelle: BJPsych Bulletin, Pp 1-7
Verlagsinformationen: Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2025.
Publikationsjahr: 2025
Schlagwörter: Psychiatry, Meta-analysis, quality of life, RC435-571, experiment design, depressive disorders, evidence-based mental health
Beschreibung: Aims and method Previous meta-analysis of the efficacy of mobile phone applications (mHealth apps) for depression has several limitations, including high risk of bias and heterogeneity in effect sizes across studies, and gaps in understanding of variability in treatment outcomes. We aimed to provide more reliable and clinically relevant findings by conducting a systematic literature search on PubMed, Embase and PsycInfo, focusing on newer studies with minimal risk of bias. Results Analysing 17 randomised controlled trials (n = 2821) published between 2020 and 2025, we found a pooled standardised mean difference (s.m.d.) of –0.46 (95% CI –0.64 to –0.28; P < 0.001) relative to the control groups, which indicates a significant reduction in depressive symptoms. Subgroup analyses confirmed efficacy in both adolescents (s.m.d. = –0.42) and adults (s.m.d. = –0.49). Despite evidence of publication bias, 70% of the studies had a low risk of bias, supporting the robustness and reliability of these findings. Clinical implications The results underscore the clinical relevance of mHealth apps as scalable and accessible tools for bridging gaps in mental healthcare. Their effectiveness across age groups highlights their potential for broad implementation, with future research needed to refine personalisation, engagement strategies and methodological rigour.
Publikationsart: Article
Sprache: English
ISSN: 2056-4708
2056-4694
DOI: 10.1192/bjb.2025.10119
Zugangs-URL: https://doaj.org/article/ede0b27a4ef94a07b4568a5c0890a92e
Rights: CC BY
Dokumentencode: edsair.doi.dedup.....a6f34c8dd07cebb5be1853d3fbf532f3
Datenbank: OpenAIRE
Beschreibung
Abstract:Aims and method Previous meta-analysis of the efficacy of mobile phone applications (mHealth apps) for depression has several limitations, including high risk of bias and heterogeneity in effect sizes across studies, and gaps in understanding of variability in treatment outcomes. We aimed to provide more reliable and clinically relevant findings by conducting a systematic literature search on PubMed, Embase and PsycInfo, focusing on newer studies with minimal risk of bias. Results Analysing 17 randomised controlled trials (n = 2821) published between 2020 and 2025, we found a pooled standardised mean difference (s.m.d.) of –0.46 (95% CI –0.64 to –0.28; P < 0.001) relative to the control groups, which indicates a significant reduction in depressive symptoms. Subgroup analyses confirmed efficacy in both adolescents (s.m.d. = –0.42) and adults (s.m.d. = –0.49). Despite evidence of publication bias, 70% of the studies had a low risk of bias, supporting the robustness and reliability of these findings. Clinical implications The results underscore the clinical relevance of mHealth apps as scalable and accessible tools for bridging gaps in mental healthcare. Their effectiveness across age groups highlights their potential for broad implementation, with future research needed to refine personalisation, engagement strategies and methodological rigour.
ISSN:20564708
20564694
DOI:10.1192/bjb.2025.10119