Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Mental Health
Date Submitted: Oct 6, 2019
Date Accepted: Apr 12, 2020
Apps with Maps: A Systematic Review of the Major App Stores for Anxiety and Depression Mobile Apps with Evidence-Based Frameworks
ABSTRACT
Background:
Mobile mental health applications (apps) have become ubiquitous tools to assist people to manage symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, due to the lack of research and expert input that has accompanied the development of most apps, concerns have been raised by clinicians, researchers and government authorities about their efficacy.
Objective:
This review aimed to estimate the proportion of mental health apps offering comprehensive therapeutic treatments for anxiety and/or depression available in the app stores that have been developed using evidence-based frameworks. It also aimed to estimate the proportions of specific frameworks being used in an effort to understand which frameworks are having the most influence on app developers in this area.
Methods:
A systematic review of the Apple App Store and Google Play store was performed to identify apps offering comprehensive therapeutic interventions that targeted anxiety and/or depression. The PRISMA approach was adopted as a guide.
Results:
Of the 293 apps shortlisted as offering a therapeutic treatment for anxiety and/or depression, 162 (55.29%) mentioned an evidence-based framework in their app store descriptions. Of these, 88 (30.03%) claimed to use cognitive behavior therapy techniques, 46 (15.70%) used mindfulness, 27 (9.22%) positive psychology, 10 (3.41%) dialectical behavior therapy, 5 (1.71%) acceptance and commitment therapy, and 20 (6.83%) used other techniques.
Conclusions:
The current proportion of apps with evidence-based frameworks is unacceptably low, and those without tested frameworks may provide a risk of harm to users. Future research should establish what other factors work in conjunction with evidence-based frameworks to produce efficacious mental health apps. Clinical Trial: N/A
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