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Previously submitted to: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (no longer under consideration since Jun 01, 2022)

Date Submitted: Apr 27, 2022
Open Peer Review Period: Apr 27, 2022 - May 11, 2022
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Cross-Sectional Analysis of Mobile Health (mHealth) Apps for Self-Management of Depression or Anxiety

  • Renee Robinson; 
  • Elaine Nguyen; 
  • radhika narsinghan

ABSTRACT

Background:

Depression and anxiety are common mental health disorders. Untreated or unmanaged depression and anxiety can lead to physical and/or behavioral health concerns. Many people suffering from depression and/or anxiety have inadequate access to health care and supports. Evidence supports that mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) can be beneficial in the management of chronic conditions.

Objective:

Compare consumer-directed mobile-health applications (mHealth apps) available for self-management of depression and/or anxiety.

Methods:

A systematic review of 93,849 consumer-apps was conducted using a 3-step inclusion-criteria. Step-one: available in English, downloadable, and aligned with established self-management program components. Step-two: defined depression/anxiety, described symptoms, and discussed greater than 2-management techniques. Step-three: screened for user-friendliness and self-management components (n=10). Apps were assessed for readability and validity

Results:

Seventy-percent of mHealth apps incorporated 4-major self-management components. Eighty-percent of apps described at least three DSM-5 symptoms. Thirty-three percent of apps were 5-grade-levels higher than general US comprehension estimates. Only 40% of reviewed apps provided evidence-based self-management support and only 20% were affiliated with an accredited organization.

Conclusions:

mHealth apps have the potential to reduce barriers to access to mental health treatment. Further research is necessary to understand how pharmacists can better support patient self-management of depression/anxiety with mHealth apps. Clinical Trial: N/A


 Citation

Please cite as:

Robinson R, Nguyen E, narsinghan r

Cross-Sectional Analysis of Mobile Health (mHealth) Apps for Self-Management of Depression or Anxiety

JMIR Preprints. 27/04/2022:39083

DOI: 10.2196/preprints.39083

URL: https://preprints.jmir.org/preprint/39083

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