The efficacy of self-guided internet and mobile-based interventions for preventing anxiety and depression – A systematic review and meta-analysis

作者：Daniel Edge, Edward R. Watkins, Jenny Limond, Jane Mugadza · 发表于：Behaviour Research and Therapy · 年份：2023 · DOI：10.1016/j.brat.2023.104292 · 被引用次数：43 · 研究领域：Digital Mental Health Interventions、Mobile Health and mHealth Applications、Mental Health Treatment and Access

BACKGROUND: Anxiety and depression are highly prevalent mental disorders which are associated with a considerable personal and economic burden. As treatment alone has a minimal impact on prevalence, there is now a growing focus on interventions which may help prevent anxiety and depression. Internet and mobile based interventions have been identified as a useful avenue for the delivery of preventative programmes due to their scalability and accessibility. The efficacy of interventions that do not require additional support from a trained professional (self-guided) in this capacity is yet to be explored. METHOD: A systematic search was conducted on the Cochrane Library, PubMed, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, OVID, MEDline, PsycEXTRA and SCOPUS databases. Studies were selected according to defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The primary outcome was evaluating the effect of self-guided internet and mobile based interventions on incidence of anxiety and depression. The secondary outcome was effect on symptom severity. RESULTS: After identifying and removing duplicates, 3211 studies were screened, 32 of which were eligible for inclusion in the final analysis. Nine studies also reported incidence data (depression = 7, anxiety = 2). The overall Risk Ratios for incidence of anxiety and depression were 0.86 (95% CI [0.28, 2.66], p = .79) and 0.67 (95% CI [0.48, 0.93], p = .02) respectively. Analysis for 27 studies reporting severity of depressive symptoms revealed a significant posttre...