Mental Health Mobile Apps: From Infusion to Diffusion in the Mental Health Social System

East, Marlene L.; Havard, Byron

doi:10.2196/mental.3954

Cited by 105 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 14 publications

(21 reference statements)

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“…This could be due to some traditional services culture that do not yet promote self-determination and empowerment and block the patients' right to make their own decisions about treatment and about their recovery path. These results are Simões de Almeida, Sousa, Marques, & Queirósimportant as they suggest that patients are receptive to mobile technologies, which is a growing area in the health field, due to its low cost and ubiquity (East & Havard, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Patients’ perspectives about the design of a mobile application for psychotic disorders

Almeida

Sousa²,

Marques³

et al. 2018

Psychol. Community Health

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Aim Based on the design of applications for psychotic disorders illness self-management, this study aimed to understand patients’ patterns of technology usage, as well as their expectations and requirements concerning the design of an app for rehabilitation and illness management purposes. It also aimed to identify guidelines for mobile application development for this population. Method After a literature review, a questionnaire was developed, focused on behaviours and opinions about technology usage. It was applied, through a cross-sectional study, to a sample of 102 users of mental health services with psychotic disorders (62% men; with ages between 22 and 66 years old). Results Nearly 59% of the participants were willing to download an app for illness self-management, and 51% evaluated as essential the self-management of their mental health condition. However, correlation analysis revealed that the more years with mental illness, the less importance is given to an app for this purpose. Conclusion The use of mobile technologies seems to the have potential to empower individuals with mental health problems, especially younger ones and those in early disease stages. Concerns about privacy/security should be considered, as well as simple screening designs and texts. The results also reveal the importance of user participatory design.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Patients’ perspectives about the design of a mobile application for psychotic disorders

Almeida

Sousa²,

Marques³

et al. 2018

Psychol. Community Health

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“…Providers are key stakeholders because they are both end users of these tools and because they are gatekeepers to clinical knowledge whom patients rely on for opinions about clinical resources (East and Havard, 2015). A recent report found over 165,000 health apps were available in public app marketplaces with 29% of disease specific apps targeting mental health (IMS Institute, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring mental health providers' interest in using web and mobile-based tools in their practices

Schueller¹,

Washburn²,

Price³

2016

Internet Interventions

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A growing number of Internet sites and mobile applications are being developed intended for use in clinical practice. However, during the development process (e.g., creating features and determining use cases), the needs and interests of providers are often overlooked. We explored providers' interests using a mixed-methods approach incorporating both qualitative and quantitative research methods. A first study used an interview approach to identify the challenges providers faced, tools they used, and any use of computers and apps specifically. Fifteen providers from both the United States and Canada completed the interview and recordings were transcribed and analyzed using a constructivist grounded theory approach. Four primary themes were identified including challenges, potential tools, access and usability. A second study used a brief survey completed by 132 providers at a large healthcare system to explore current use of and potential interest in Internet and mobile technologies. Although many providers (80.9%) reported recommending some form of technology to patients, these were mostly Internet websites that were predominantly informational/psychoeducational in nature. Overall, these studies combine to suggest a strong interest in websites and apps for use in clinical settings while highlighting potential areas (ease of use, patient security and privacy) that should be considered in the design and deployment of these tools.

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“…7 Behavioral health apps are promising enough to warrant incorporation into standard treatment, according to some of our colleagues. 8 However, there is a need to train clinicians on how to incorporate these apps into our practices. 9 Other colleagues believe that both clinical trials and citizen science will prove the efficacy of these apps.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioral Health Apps Abundant, but Evidence-Based Research Nearly Nonexistent

Wiederhold¹

2015

Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking

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S martphone users can now download apps that claim to help them improve their health by assisting them in modifying self-defeating behaviors. This is a positive step toward self-empowerment, but in order for these apps to realize their full potential, they must be not only well designed and diligently social media marketed, but also proven effective and cost-effective through evidence-based research. Only then will they become mainstream adjuncts to clinical practice.A recent review of mental health apps concluded that ''the majority of apps that are currently available lack scientific evidence about their efficacy,'' citing sleep disturbance, anxiety disorders, and smoking cessation as areas particularly lacking in evidence-based research support. 1 Another review of self-management apps found only one randomized clinical trial (RCT) among 2,969 abstracts. 2 A broader review of health apps revealed that although the apps were informed by behavioral theories or strategies, the applicability of any effectiveness study results was limited by small sample sizes. 3 As an example, although depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, 4 no large-scale studies have been published that show the efficacy of apps designed to work adjunctively to therapy to treat this common condition. A recent review found 1,054 depression apps-primarily focused on treatment but also on education-available in the online stores for the five most common smartphone platforms. 5 Yet, only one pilot RCT has been conducted with a depression app. It found that both the smartphone/tablet and computer groups were associated with statistically significantly benefits in the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire, 9 questions) at post-test and at 3 month follow-up. 6 The authors suggested a larger sample size and the addition of a control group. Researchers in the Netherlands have since created such a study design and protocol, but to date study results have not been published. 7 Behavioral health apps are promising enough to warrant incorporation into standard treatment, according to some of our colleagues. 8 However, there is a need to train clinicians on how to incorporate these apps into our practices. 9 Other colleagues believe that both clinical trials and citizen science will prove the efficacy of these apps. 10 Some researchers have proposed a methodologic framework, Continuous Evaluation of Evolving Behavioral Intervention Technologies, to help bridge the gap between the rapid changes in technology and attendant consumer expectations versus the longer timeline required for efficacy studies. 11As clinical research professionals, we know how timeconsuming it is to write research protocols and grant applications, get them approved and funded, recruit study participants, analyze data, and write up results and have them accepted for presentation and publication. However, a recent presentation outlined ways in which RCTs may actually be beneficial, allowing us to complete trials more rapidly and more cost effectively. Reasons for this incl...

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Mental Health Mobile Apps: From Infusion to Diffusion in the Mental Health Social System

Cited by 105 publications

References 14 publications

Patients’ perspectives about the design of a mobile application for psychotic disorders

Patients’ perspectives about the design of a mobile application for psychotic disorders

Exploring mental health providers' interest in using web and mobile-based tools in their practices

Behavioral Health Apps Abundant, but Evidence-Based Research Nearly Nonexistent

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