Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Mental Health
Date Submitted: Oct 14, 2019
Date Accepted: Jan 1, 2020
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Systematic Review of Peer-Supported Digital Mental Health Interventions for People with a Lived Experience of a Serious Mental Illness
ABSTRACT
Background:
Peer support is recognized globally as an essential recovery service for people with mental health conditions. With the influx of digital mental health services changing the way mental health care is delivered, peer supporters are increasingly using technology to deliver peer support. Given technological advances, there is a need to review and synthesize the emergent evidence for peer-supported digital health interventions for adults with mental health conditions.
Objective:
To identify and review the evidence of peer-supported digital health interventions for people with a lived experience of a serious mental illness.
Methods:
The systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) procedures. CINAHL, Cochrane Central, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles published between 1946 and March 2019 that examined peer-supported digital health interventions for people with a lived experience of a serious mental illness (PROSPERO Registration number: [blinded for review]). Additional articles were found by searching reference lists from the 27 articles that met inclusion criteria and a Google scholar search in June 2019. Participants, interventions, comparisons, outcomes, and study design (PICOS) criteria were used to assess study eligibility. The first two authors independently screened titles and abstracts and reviewed all full-text articles meeting inclusion criteria. Discrepancies were discussed and resolved. All included studies were assessed for methodological quality using the Methodological Quality Rating Scale.
Results:
Thirty studies (11 randomized controlled trials, two quasi-experimental, 15 pre-post designs, and 2 qualitative studies) reported on 24 interventions. Most studies demonstrated feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of peer-to-peer networks, peer-delivered interventions supported with technology, and asynchronous and synchronous technologies.
Conclusions:
Peer-supported digital health interventions appear feasible and acceptable, with strong potential for clinical effectiveness. However, the field is in the early stages of development and requires well-powered efficacy and effectiveness trials.
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