Smartphone apps for mental health: systematic review of the literature and five recommendations for clinical translation
ObjectivesProviding adequate access to mental health services is a global challenge. Smartphone apps offer a potentially cost-effective, available and accessible solution for monitoring, supporting and treating mental health conditions. This systematic review describes and evaluates the usage of sma...
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| Veröffentlicht in: | BMJ open Jg. 15; H. 2; S. e093932 |
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| Hauptverfasser: | , , , , |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Sprache: | Englisch |
| Veröffentlicht: |
England
British Medical Journal Publishing Group
11.02.2025
BMJ Publishing Group LTD BMJ Publishing Group |
| Schlagworte: | |
| ISSN: | 2044-6055, 2044-6055 |
| Online-Zugang: | Volltext |
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| Zusammenfassung: | ObjectivesProviding adequate access to mental health services is a global challenge. Smartphone apps offer a potentially cost-effective, available and accessible solution for monitoring, supporting and treating mental health conditions. This systematic review describes and evaluates the usage of smartphone apps across a wide range of mental health disorders in terms of clinical effectiveness, feasibility and acceptability.DesignThis is a systematic review of studies examining treatment, self-monitoring and multipurpose smartphone apps for mental health disorders.Data sourcesStudies were identified through a comprehensive search of the Ovid and PubMed databases. Articles published up to 14 January 2024 were included based on predefined criteria.Eligibility criteriaWe included randomised controlled trials that compared mental health apps (single- or multipurpose) with treatment-as-usual or no treatment for clinical populations with mental health disorders. Studies were excluded if they focused on web-based interventions, combined apps with non-TAU treatments or targeted physical health apps.Data extraction and synthesisTwo independent reviewers screened and selected studies, with a third reviewer resolving inconsistencies. Extracted data included study details, participant characteristics, app information and outcome measures related to effectiveness, feasibility and acceptability. A risk-of-bias assessment for each study was conducted.ResultsOut of 4153 non-duplicate articles screened, 31 studies met full-text eligibility criteria. These included 6 studies on treatment apps, 4 on self-monitoring apps and 21 on multipurpose apps for a range of mental health disorders. Fifteen were identified as having between some and high concern on the risk-of-bias assessment. While smartphone apps were generally effective and acceptable, their feasibility appeared to decline over time.ConclusionsSmartphone apps are promising tools for mental healthcare, demonstrating effectiveness and acceptability. However, challenges such as reduced feasibility over time, potential biases and underrepresented demographics require further research. This review proposes five recommendations for improving clinical translation in future studies. |
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| Bibliographie: | Original research ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 14 ObjectType-Literature Review-3 content type line 23 ObjectType-Undefined-3 AA and RH contributed equally. Supplemental material This content has been supplied by the author(s). It has not been vetted by BMJ Publishing Group Limited (BMJ) and may not have been peer-reviewed. Any opinions or recommendations discussed are solely those of the author(s) and are not endorsed by BMJ. BMJ disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on the content. Where the content includes any translated material, BMJ does not warrant the accuracy and reliability of the translations (including but not limited to local regulations, clinical guidelines, terminology, drug names and drug dosages), and is not responsible for any error and/or omissions arising from translation and adaptation or otherwise. None declared. |
| ISSN: | 2044-6055 2044-6055 |
| DOI: | 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-093932 |