Elsevier

Journal of Affective Disorders

Volume 218, 15 August 2017, Pages 15-22
Journal of Affective Disorders

Review article
Can smartphone mental health interventions reduce symptoms of anxiety? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2017.04.046Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Highlights

  • This is the first meta-analysis of smartphone-based psychological interventions for anxiety.

  • Our systematic search identified 9 randomized controlled trials with 1837 participants in total.

  • Smartphone interventions reduced anxiety significantly more than control conditions.

Abstract

Background

Various psychological interventions are effective for reducing symptoms of anxiety when used alone, or as an adjunct to anti-anxiety medications. Recent studies have further indicated that smartphone-supported psychological interventions may also reduce anxiety, although the role of mobile devices in the treatment and management of anxiety disorders has yet to be established.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) reporting the effects of psychological interventions delivered via smartphone on symptoms of anxiety (sub-clinical or diagnosed anxiety disorders). A systematic search of major electronic databases conducted in November 2016 identified 9 eligible RCTs, with 1837 participants. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to calculate the standardized mean difference (as Hedges’ g) between smartphone interventions and control conditions.

Results

Significantly greater reductions in total anxiety scores were observed from smartphone interventions than control conditions (g=0.325, 95% C.I.=0.17–0.48, p<0.01), with no evidence of publication bias. Effect sizes from smartphone interventions were significantly greater when compared to waitlist/inactive controls (g=0.45, 95% C.I.=0.30–0.61, p<0.01) than active control conditions (g=0.19, 95% C.I.=0.07–0.31, p=0.003).

Limitations

The extent to which smartphone interventions can match (or exceed) the efficacy of recognised treatments for anxiety has yet to established.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis shows that psychological interventions delivered via smartphone devices can reduce anxiety. Future research should aim to develop pragmatic methods for implementing smartphone-based support for people with anxiety, while also comparing the efficacy of these interventions to standard face-to-face psychological care.

Keywords

e-health
mhealth
Apps
Panic disorder
Anxiety disorders
Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Cited by (0)

1

joint first authors.