Technological advancements are transforming many industries, including supporting patients with a variety of mental disorders. The sad reality is that many patients who need and/or want psychotherapy cannot receive it due to cost, time or location constraints, or simply a lack of available therapists. To address this gap in service delivery and to provide timely relief as close as one’s fingertips, “e-mental health” apps have been developed for use on smartphones and other mobile devices.
Smartphone applications may prove superior even to computer-based software because they “allow users to engage in exercises and monitor symptoms in situ, in real time” and these apps can be “accessed in private and at a time and location of choice” (p. 325).
Research is catching up to this new technology, with increasing numbers of randomized controlled trials testing their efficacy. Apps targeting depressive and anxiety symptoms have been studied, but what about apps for other types of mental health challenges? The present meta-analysis of 66 studies culled data about smartphone interventions that target mental health concerns including stress, distinct anxiety diagnoses, PTSD, and depression.
Since smartphone apps were the focus of the meta-analysis, the “treatment” or intervention used in included studies had to be delivered via smartphone. All studies included a control condition, such as waitlisting, informational or educational materials, pharmacotherapy, or face-to-face psychotherapy.
A variety of smartphone apps were included but most were built using principles of cognitive and/or behavioral therapy or mindfulness and/or acceptance.
Not surprisingly, apps based on cognitive behavioral therapy that included professional guidance and reminders produced the greatest effect on reducing symptoms. The human touch provided by professional guidance was key. This human guidance included phone calls, text messages, and personalized support. In fact, smartphone apps performed as well as face-to-face psychotherapy at reducing certain types of symptoms. Smartphone apps were most beneficial for patients with depressive symptoms, generalized and social anxiety, and stress. Apps were ineffective compared to control conditions for treating PTSD and panic.
These encouraging results point to the possible evolution of app-based psychotherapy. “Smartphone interventions could eventually serve as a low-cost, easily accessible, and user-friendly option for universal, selective or indicated preventive programs” (p. 333). The next step may be the development of automated support systems as these “have been shown to produce equivalent outcomes to human support” (p. 334).
In sum, app-based interventions offer a promising solution to face-to-face psychotherapy because they are a “cost-effective, easily accessible, and low intensity intervention for the millions of people worldwide who cannot receive standard psychological treatment” (p. 334).
This informative guide will help you choose evidence-based apps for your mental health needs.
Linardon, J., Cuijpers, P., Carlbring, P., Messer, M., & Fuller‐Tyszkiewicz, M. (2019). The efficacy of app‐supported smartphone interventions for mental health problems: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials. World Psychiatry, 18(3), 325-336.
©Jennie Dilworth, Ph.D