Smartphone psychology: New approaches towards safe and efficacious mobile mental health apps.

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 214-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie M. Marshall ◽  
Debra A. Dunstan ◽  
Warren Bartik
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
New Approaches ◽  
Mobile Mental Health

scholarly journals mHealth in the Wild: Using Novel Data to Examine the Reach, Use, and Impact of PTSD Coach

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. e7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason E Owen ◽  
Beth K Jaworski ◽  
Eric Kuhn ◽  
Kerry N Makin-Byrd ◽  
Kelly M Ramsey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Public Health Impact ◽  
User Reviews ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Mobile Mental Health ◽  
First Time

Background A majority of Americans (58%) now use smartphones, making it possible for mobile mental health apps to reach large numbers of those who are living with untreated, or under-treated, mental health symptoms. Although early trials suggest positive effects for mobile health (mHealth) interventions, little is known about the potential public health impact of mobile mental health apps. Objective The purpose of this study was to characterize reach, use, and impact of “PTSD Coach”, a free, broadly disseminated mental health app for managing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Methods Using a mixed-methods approach, aggregate mobile analytics data from 153,834 downloads of PTSD Coach were analyzed in conjunction with 156 user reviews. Results Over 60% of users engaged with PTSD Coach on multiple occasions (mean=6.3 sessions). User reviews reflected gratitude for the availability of the app and being able to use the app specifically during moments of need. PTSD Coach users reported relatively high levels of trauma symptoms (mean PTSD Checklist Score=57.2, SD=15.7). For users who chose to use a symptom management tool, distress declined significantly for both first-time users (mean=1.6 points, SD=2.6 on the 10-point distress thermometer) and return-visit users (mean=2.0, SD=2.3). Analysis of app session data identified common points of attrition, with only 80% of first-time users reaching the app’s home screen and 37% accessing one of the app’s primary content areas. Conclusions These findings suggest that PTSD Coach has achieved substantial and sustained reach in the population, is being used as intended, and has been favorably received. PTSD Coach is a unique platform for the delivery of mobile mental health education and treatment, and continuing evaluation and improvement of the app could further strengthen its public health impact.

Free, Discreet, Accessible: VA's Mobile Mental Health Apps in Care

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Avery ◽  
Colleen Becket-Davenport
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Mobile Mental Health

scholarly journals Mobile Mental Health Apps in China: Systematic App Store Search (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huifang Yin ◽  
Klaas J Wardenaar ◽  
Yuhao Wang ◽  
Nan Wang ◽  
Wenjin Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Main Technique ◽  
Stress Relieving ◽  
Mobile Mental Health

BACKGROUND Smartphones have become ubiquitous in China, offering a promising way to deliver mental health interventions; however, little is known about the current use and characteristics of smartphone apps for mental health. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to gain insight into mobile mental health apps available in China as of December 2018. METHODS A systematic search was conducted to identify and evaluate the most downloaded apps from iOS and Android platforms. Apps were categorized according to their main purpose and downloaded to evaluate their content. Each app’s affiliation, cost, target users, information security, and evidence-based nature were evaluated. RESULTS Of the 172 unique apps that were identified, there were 37 apps (21.5%) for psychological counseling, 50 apps (29.1%) for assessment, 12 apps (7.0%) to relieve stress, 24 apps (14.0%) for psychoeducation, and 49 (28.4%) multipurpose apps (ie, a combination of counseling and assessment). Most apps were developed for adults in the general population (166/172, 96.5%), rather than for psychiatric patients. App-based counseling was mostly provided by psychologists, and of the assessed apps, only 40% (70/172) used evidence-based scales to assess mental health problems such as anxiety or depressed mood. Guided meditation was used as the main technique in stress-relieving apps. CONCLUSIONS Many apps contained useful and evidence-based elements, such as good quality information, validated measurements, and useful meditation methods; however, for mobile apps to contribute significantly to mental health care in China, considerable challenges remain, including the need for more patient-focused apps that can actually take on the role of a health care provider. In addition, efficacy studies are needed.

scholarly journals Mental Health Apps in Psychiatric Treatment: A Patient Perspective on Real World Technology Usage (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emil Chiauzzi ◽  
Amy Newell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Patient Perspective ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Mobile Mental Health

UNSTRUCTURED For many people who use mobile apps, the primary motivations are entertainment, news, gaming, social connections, or productivity. For those experiencing health problems, particularly those with chronic conditions such as psychiatric disorders, the stakes are much higher. The digital tools that they select may be the difference between improvement and decompensation or even life and death. Although there has been a wide expansion of mental health apps with promise as well as hype, the current means of researching, evaluating, and deploying effective tools have been problematic. As a means of gaining a perspective that moves beyond usability testing, surveys, and app ratings, the primary objective of this patient perspective is to question the killer app and condition-specific mentality of current mental health app development. We do this by reviewing the current mobile mental health app literature, identifying ways in which psychiatric patients use apps in their lives, and then exploring how these issues are experienced by a software engineer who has struggled with her bipolar disorder for many years. Her lived experience combined with a technology perspective offers potential avenues for using technology productively in psychiatric treatment. We believe that this responds to JMIR Publications’ call for patient perspective papers and provides encouragement for patients to share their views on mental health and technology.

Towards a Framework for Evaluating Mobile Mental Health Apps

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. 1038-1041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Chan ◽  
John Torous ◽  
Ladson Hinton ◽  
Peter Yellowlees
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Mobile Mental Health

scholarly journals Adolescent Perspectives on How an Adjunctive Mobile App for Social Anxiety Treatment Impacts Treatment Engagement in Telehealth Group Therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 397
Author(s):  
Celine Lu ◽  
Wendy Chu ◽  
Shannon Madden ◽  
Bambang Parmanto ◽  
Jennifer Susan Silk
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Group Therapy ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Treatment Engagement ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Mobile Mental Health

Adjunctive mobile mental health apps to supplement mental health treatment have been growing in recent years given their ability to address treatment engagement barriers. However, few studies have explicitly examined how these mobile apps impact treatment engagement, and even fewer have investigated this topic through adolescents’ perspectives. To this end, we conducted semi-structured interviews with five adolescents who used an adjunctive mobile mental health app in combination with telehealth cognitive behavioral group therapy for social anxiety. Using a multidimensional framework of treatment engagement, we elicited their perspectives on how the app impacted their engagement in telehealth group therapy and gathered their suggestions for improving the app. Using a consensual qualitative research approach, we learned that adolescents felt the app increased their comfort with others in therapy and their expectations about the effectiveness of mental health apps. They also indicated that the app prepared them for in-session participation and facilitated out-of-session skills practice. Adolescents had valuable suggestions such as adding app features to facilitate social connectedness between group members and adding appointment reminders in the app. This preliminary study highlights implications for future adjunctive mobile mental health app developers and researchers to increase adolescents’ treatment engagement in mental health services.

scholarly journals Mobile Mental Health Apps in China: Systematic App Store Search

10.2196/14915 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. e14915
Author(s):  
Huifang Yin ◽  
Klaas J Wardenaar ◽  
Yuhao Wang ◽  
Nan Wang ◽  
Wenjin Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Main Technique ◽  
Stress Relieving ◽  
Mobile Mental Health

Background Smartphones have become ubiquitous in China, offering a promising way to deliver mental health interventions; however, little is known about the current use and characteristics of smartphone apps for mental health. Objective The purpose of this study was to gain insight into mobile mental health apps available in China as of December 2018. Methods A systematic search was conducted to identify and evaluate the most downloaded apps from iOS and Android platforms. Apps were categorized according to their main purpose and downloaded to evaluate their content. Each app’s affiliation, cost, target users, information security, and evidence-based nature were evaluated. Results Of the 172 unique apps that were identified, there were 37 apps (21.5%) for psychological counseling, 50 apps (29.1%) for assessment, 12 apps (7.0%) to relieve stress, 24 apps (14.0%) for psychoeducation, and 49 (28.4%) multipurpose apps (ie, a combination of counseling and assessment). Most apps were developed for adults in the general population (166/172, 96.5%), rather than for psychiatric patients. App-based counseling was mostly provided by psychologists, and of the assessed apps, only 40% (70/172) used evidence-based scales to assess mental health problems such as anxiety or depressed mood. Guided meditation was used as the main technique in stress-relieving apps. Conclusions Many apps contained useful and evidence-based elements, such as good quality information, validated measurements, and useful meditation methods; however, for mobile apps to contribute significantly to mental health care in China, considerable challenges remain, including the need for more patient-focused apps that can actually take on the role of a health care provider. In addition, efficacy studies are needed.

scholarly journals Clinical or gimmickal: The use and effectiveness of mobile mental health apps for treating anxiety and depression

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie M Marshall ◽  
Debra A Dunstan ◽  
Warren Bartik
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
World Health ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Tablet Devices ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
History Of ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Mobile Mental Health

Objectives: The increase in ownership of smartphones and tablet devices has seen a worldwide government push, championed by the World Health Organization, towards digital healthcare services generally. Mental health has been a strong presence in the digitisation of healthcare because of the potential to solve some of the difficulties in accessing face-to-face services. This review summarises the recent history of e-mental health services and illuminates two very different paths. The first is the considerable amount of research that has proven the effectiveness of many online mental health programmes for personal computers and laptops, resulting in widespread acceptance of their ability to make a contribution in an individual’s recovery from anxiety and depression. The second is associated with the more recent development of apps for smartphones and tablet devices and the contrasting paucity of research that has accompanied this burgeoning area of e-mental health. This review also outlines the current state of play for research into the effectiveness of mobile mental health apps for anxiety and depression, including issues associated with methodology, and offers sources of practical advice for clinicians wanting more information about these new digital tools. Conclusion: Research into the effectiveness of mental health apps is lacking, and the majority have no evidence of efficacy. Clinicians need to be aware of what apps have such evidence and should exercise caution when recommending apps to patients. Suggestions are offered on the direction of future research, including an appeal to further include clinicians in the development and efficacy testing of mental health apps.

scholarly journals Regulating mobile mental health apps

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas P. Terry ◽  
Tracy D. Gunter
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Mobile Mental Health

scholarly journals Postsecondary Student Engagement With a Mental Health App and Online Platform (Thought Spot): Qualitative Study of User Experience

10.2196/23447 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. e23447
Author(s):  
Howard W Wong ◽  
Brian Lo ◽  
Jenny Shi ◽  
Elisa Hollenberg ◽  
Alexxa Abi-Jaoude ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Student Engagement ◽  
Health Information ◽  
User Experience ◽  
Postsecondary Students ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Online Platform ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Mental Health Information ◽  
Mobile Mental Health

Background There is growing interest in using mobile apps and online tools to support postsecondary student mental health, but most of these solutions have suboptimal user engagement in real-world settings. Poor engagement can limit long-term effectiveness and usefulness of these tools. Previous literature has proposed several theories that link factors such as low usability and poor user-centered design to app disengagement. However, few studies provide direct evidence showing what factors contribute to suboptimal user engagement in the context of mobile mental health apps for postsecondary students. Objective This study focuses on understanding postsecondary students’ attitudes and behaviors when using Thought Spot, a co-designed mental health app and online platform, to understand factors related to engagement and user experience. Methods Students who were given access to Thought Spot for 6 months during a randomized trial of the intervention were invited to participate in one-on-one semistructured interviews. The interviews explored participants’ overall experiences and perceptions of the app, along with factors that affected their usage of various features. All interviews were recorded, and template analysis was used to analyze transcripts. Results User satisfaction was mixed among users of Thought Spot. The degree of engagement with the app appeared to be affected by factors that can be grouped into 5 themes: (1) Students valued detailed, inclusive, and relevant content; (2) Technical glitches and a lack of integration with other apps affected the overall user experience and satisfaction with the app; (3) Using the app to support peers or family can increase engagement; (4) Crowdsourced information from peers about mental health resources drove user engagement, but was difficult to obtain; and (5) Users often turned to the app when they had an immediate need for mental health information, rather than using it to track mental health information over time. Conclusions Content, user experience, user-centeredness, and peer support are important determinants of user engagement with mobile mental health apps among postsecondary students. In this study, participants disengaged when the app did not meet their expectations on these determinants. Future studies on user engagement should further explore the effectiveness of different features and the relative importance of various criteria for high-quality apps. Further focus on these issues may inform the creation of interventions that increase student engagement and align with their mental health needs. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03412461; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03412461 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/resprot.6446

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document