JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The use of technological devices appears to help the self-management of individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (2DM), particularly regarding psychological distress. However, literature reports inconsistent results concerning the psychological instruments which these devices deliver for the screening of patients’ mental state and subsequently outlining the intervention.

Objective:

This study aims to systematically review previous literature on instruments considered most accurate and used in assessing depression, anxiety and stress in patients with 2DM, by means of technological devices, with a focus on the efficacy and usability of such tools.

Methods:

A search covering 2009-2019 was conducted using PsycINFO, Cinhal and PubMED databases, in which the following terms (and derivates) were considered: diabetes mellitus, measure, assessment, depression, anxiety, stress, self-care, self-management, technology, eHealth, Mobile-Health, mobile phone, device, and smartphone. It has been used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), based on a set of inclusion/exclusion criteria.

Results:

A total of 19 papers were included. Four studies administered the Diabetes Distress Scale to assess distress-related diabetes, particularly the perceived emotional burdens of managing diabetes. Three studies applied the mood rating scale to screen and monitor stress symptoms. The most frequently evaluated symptoms related to depression, with thirteen studies based mainly on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Two studies focused on anxiety, using the Brief Symptom Inventory.

Conclusions:

It appears of great importance to use psychological tools presenting good psychometric properties already validated in patients with diabetes. Although the assessment of psychological symptoms is important, the use of technological devices to conduct such assessment appears underrated.