Android and iPhone Mobile Apps for Psychosocial Wellness and Stress Management: Systematic Search in App Stores and Literature Review : Lau et al 2020

[Sly Saint]

Abstract
Background: In an oversaturated market of publicly available mobile apps for psychosocial self-care and stress management, health care providers, patients, and consumers interested in mental health-related apps may wonder which, if any, are efficacious. Readily available metrics for consumers include user popularity and media buzz rather than scientific evidence.

Objective: This systematic review aimed to (1) examine the breadth of therapeutic contents and features of psychosocial wellness and stress management apps available to self-help seekers for public download and (2) determine which of these apps have original research support.

Methods: First, we conducted a systematic review of publicly available apps on the iPhone App Store (Apple Inc) and Android Google Play (Google LLC) platforms using conventional self-help-seeking search terms related to wellness and stress. The results were limited to English-language apps available for free download. In total, 2 reviewers independently evaluated all apps and discussed the findings to reach 100% consensus regarding inclusion. Second, a literature review was conducted on the included apps to identify supporting studies with original data collection.

Results: We screened 3287 apps and found 1009 psychosocial wellness and stress management apps. Content varied widely. The most common evidence-based strategy was mindfulness-meditation, followed by positive psychology and goal setting. Most apps were intended to be used as self-help interventions, with only 1.09% (11/1009) involving an electronic therapist and 1.88% (19/1009) designed as a supplement to in-person psychotherapy. Only 4.66% (47/1009) of apps targeted individuals with psychological disorders, and less than 1% of apps (6/1009, 0.59%) targeted individuals with other chronic illnesses. Approximately 2% (21/1009, 2.08%) were supported by original research publications, with a total of 25 efficacy studies and 10 feasibility studies. The Headspace mindfulness app had the most evidence, including 8 efficacy studies. Most other scientifically backed apps were supported by a single feasibility or efficacy study.

Conclusions: Only 2.08% (21/1009) of publicly available psychosocial wellness and stress management mobile apps discoverable to self-help seekers have published, peer-reviewed evidence of feasibility and/or efficacy. Clinicians and investigators may use these findings to help patients and families navigate the volume of emerging digital health interventions for stress management and wellness.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32357125/

 

[TiredSam]

Conclusions: Only 2.08% (21/1009) of publicly available psychosocial wellness and stress management mobile apps discoverable to self-help seekers have published, peer-reviewed evidence of feasibility and/or efficacy.

The conclusion doesn't say whether this is a good thing or a bad thing. Perhaps they could have been clearer and written a more comprehensive conclusion as follows:

Conclusions: The authors were relieved to find that only 2.08% (21/1009) of publicly available psychosocial wellness and stress management mobile apps discoverable to self-help seekers have published, peer-reviewed evidence of feasibility and/or efficacy. Given the track record of psychosocial peer-reviewed evidence these apps may be considered especially dodgy. Clinicians and investigators may use these findings to help patients and families navigate the volume of emerging digital health interventions for stress management and wellness.

EDIT: I tip my hat to whoever put in the proposal to get paid to browse the app store by the way.

 

[TiredSam]

If the authors are looking for a new project that involves browsing and stating the bleedin' obvious, they may like to walk into any German pharmacy and see how many of the products on offer have any evidential basis for the health claims that they make. Or they could look at all the adverts on German television in the early evening and see how many of the health claims made can be substantiated.

They may conclude that private companies make dodgy health claims to sell products for a profit, that there's a massive market of willing customers, and that it's been going on for quite a while. Clinicians and investigators may use these findings to help patients and families navigate the volume of dodgy health products available, and patients and families in their turn can tell the clinicians and investigators not to be so closed minded because science doesn't know everything.