The current evidence for substance use disorder apps

Abstract

Purpose of reviewNew mHealth (smartphone) apps for substance use disorders (SUD) are emerging at an accelerated rate, with consumer choice typically guided by app-store user ratings rather than their effectiveness. The expansive reach, low-cost and accessibility of mHealth apps have driven their popularity and appeal as alternatives to traditional treatment; as such, rigorously establishing their effectiveness is of paramount importance. Recent findingsSeveral systematic reviews conclude that the evidence-base for mHealth SUD apps is weak, inconclusive and hampered by substantial heterogeneity in study designs. However, there have been a number of interesting and novel developments in this area in recent years, which have not been synthesised to date. SummaryMost mHealth apps deliver either multiple-component behaviour change techniques, discrete psychological interventions or cognitive training interventions, or are designed to act as adjuncts to facilitate the delivery of clinical or continuing care. There are promising signals of their feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness in numerous open-label pilot studies of mHealth apps targeting alcohol and smoking. However, only a handful of sufficiently-powered, well-designed randomised controlled trials have been conducted to date with mixed findings. Furthermore, there has been limited recent attention on mHealth apps aiming to improve outcomes for individuals using other drugs.

Therapeutic Content of Mobile Phone Applications for Substance Use Disorders: An Umbrella Review

“…They also concluded that RSS had the greatest efficacy. Manning et al 22 identified RSS as having the best evidence; however, they added that CBT and approach-based modification (ABM) modules showed promise. Staiger et al 23 identified 12 studies examining alcohol and illicit SUD application-based interventions.…”