A team of researchers from different Australian, British and American institutions is convinced that it is possible to effectively combat depression through the use of certain applications for smartphones. In a study published in the journal World Psychiatry , these experts point out that such computer tools will allow many people to deal with this mental disorder that, according to the World Health Organization, affects more than 300 million individuals .
This institution also warns that women suffer more from this disease than men and that, at present, it is the main cause of disability. Although there are treatments to treat depression, scientists indicate that for many patients it is not easy to go to professionals or medical centers that can help them, so they decided to examine the effectiveness of procedures that are based on the use of mobile phones .
Designed by experts
In their trial – it is the first of its kind to be carried out -, coordinated by Joseph Firth, from the Australian National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM) and the Department of Psychology and Mental Health at the University of Manchester, the specialists have had into account 22 mobile applications developed by professionals for clinical trials –among them, MoodHacker, MyCompass, Get Happy, iBobbly… – and the data of 3,400 men and women between 18 and 59 years old who had been diagnosed with different types of diseases or mental conditions, from the aforementioned depression or bipolar disorder, to anxiety or insomnia.
Thus, they have been able to determine that, in general, this type of intervention managed to significantly reduce the symptoms related to depression, which, in the opinion of Firth and his collaborators, suggests that these digital therapies can be very useful for many affected, especially those who cannot access another type of treatment . “Most of the population in developed countries has one of these smartphones; this includes young people who, according to different studies, increasingly suffer from this disorder,” says Firth. “Rapid advances are taking place in this field, so users will be able to benefit from successful treatment thanks to their smartphones,” he says.
One of the report’s co-authors, Professor Jerome Sarris, also from the NICM, argues that this technological approach reduces the social stigma that usually accompanies this condition and will allow patients to check their status and evolution for themselves. “Mobile devices can help to better understand and control the disease, especially in cases of moderate and moderate depression. Some apps, used as integrative or complementary treatment, improve the mood of patients,” says Sarris. The team of researchers indicates, however, that it has not yet been possible to establish whether they are also beneficial in the most severe cases.
They don’t avoid taking medication
Some applications focus on cognitive therapies, others on the principles of mindfulness, others monitor mood changes … But, in essence, scientists have not found significant differences between them. However, those that offered a comprehensive treatment, that is, that did not need external clinical support or follow-up by computer, offer better results. Of course, the study authors emphasize that, despite everything, these types of apps are no better than conventional treatments and do not avoid the need to take antidepressant drugs , if so deemed by doctors.
Reference: The efficacy of smartphone-based mental health interventions for depressive symptoms: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials . Joseph Firth et al. World Psychiatry. DOI: 10.1002 / wps.20472
