Smartphones are ubiquitous and frequently used, allowing mental health apps to provide accessible, on-demand therapeutic content. Apps can deliver personalized treatment through passive data collection and symptom tracking.
Mental health apps are garnering substantial interest due to their potential to scale access to care. However, there are also risks regarding privacy, effectiveness, engagement, and exclusion of the patient-clinician relationship.
two phone screens, one with a doctor providing support to a crying client on the other phone screen
Key Points
Rationale
Method
Inclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria
Statistical Analysis
Results
1. Study Characteristics
2. Depression Symptoms
3. Generalized Anxiety Symptoms
Insight
Strengths
Limitations
Clinical Implications
References
Primary reference
Linardon, J., Torous, J., Firth, J., Cuijpers, P., Messer, M., & Fuller‐Tyszkiewicz, M. (2024).Current evidence on the efficacy of mental health smartphone apps for symptoms of depression and anxiety. A meta‐analysis of 176 randomized controlled trials.World Psychiatry,23(1), 139-149.
Other references
Firth, J., Torous, J., Nicholas, J., Carney, R., Pratap, A., Rosenbaum, S., & Sarris, J. (2017). The efficacy of smartphone‐based mental health interventions for depressive symptoms: a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials.World Psychiatry,16(3), 287-298.
Linardon, J., Cuijpers, P., Carlbring, P., Messer, M., & Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M. (2019). The efficacy of app-supported smartphone interventions for mental health problems: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.World Psychiatry, 18(3), 325-336.https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20673
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Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education
Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.
Saul McLeod, PhD
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester
Saul McLeod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.
