Mobile mental health apps can be effective for managing moderate to severe depression

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2023-11-21 03:00

Australia; International

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Mobile apps designed to help treat moderate to severe depression can be effective even as a standalone treatment, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis of international and Australian research. International researchers identified 13 studies, including one Aussie study evaluating 16 mental health apps. The researchers say the studies showed evidence of the apps reducing depression symptom severity, both in patients who were also receiving other treatments and those who were not. The researchers say this shows mental health apps could be a useful alternative for people who do not have easy access to conventional treatment for depression, or who may struggle with stigma around accessing treatment.

Media release

From: JAMA

About The Study: In this systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 randomized clinical trials of app interventions with 1,470 participants, the feasibility and efficacy of mobile app interventions were supported in treating moderate and severe depression, and practical implications were also provided for developing effective app-based interventions in clinical practice.

Authors: Ji-Won Hur, Ph.D., of Korea University in Seoul, Republic of Korea, is the corresponding author.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Network Open

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Korea University, Republic of Korea

Funder: This research was supported by the Bio & Medical Technology Development Program of the National Research Foundation funded by the Korean government (grant No. NRF-2021M3A9E4080780).

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