View in EDS

Effectiveness of mobile-based cognitive behavioural therapy for adolescent depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Effectiveness of mobile-based cognitive behavioural therapy for adolescent depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Authors: Sathe, Aditya (AUTHOR), Nainani, Abhir (AUTHOR), Elaraby, Ahmed (AUTHOR), Jones, Adam L (AUTHOR), Lowe, Melissa (AUTHOR)
Source: Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. Jul2026, Vol. 60 Issue 7, p633-642. 10p.
Subjects: Anxiety treatment, Mobile apps, Medical information storage & retrieval systems, Medical care use, Telepsychiatry, Treatment effectiveness, Meta-analysis, Descriptive statistics, Systematic reviews, MEDLINE, Odds ratio, Quality of life, Medical databases, Cognitive therapy, Online information services, Data analysis software, Adverse health care events, Confidence intervals, Mental depression, Psychology information storage & retrieval systems, Integrated health care delivery, Evaluation, Adolescence, Adults
Abstract: Objective: Adolescent depression is a significant public health concern, with prevalence rates increasing globally over recent years. Mobile-based cognitive behavioural therapy applications are increasingly used to address adolescent depression, but their effectiveness remains unclear. This study evaluated the impact of mobile-based cognitive behavioural therapy apps on depressive symptoms in this population, with secondary analyses examining anxiety, quality of life, usability and adverse events. Method: A systematic review identified 10 randomized controlled trials containing 1896 participants. These studies were published since 2014 and assessed the effects of mobile-based cognitive behavioural therapy for depression in adolescents (aged 13–25 years). Databases searched included MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Subsequent meta-analysis was conducted on nine studies (n = 1127). Studies reporting depressive symptom outcomes were included in meta-analyses using a random-effects model. Results: Meta-analysis showed a significant reduction in depressive symptoms compared with the control groups (Cohen's d = −0.24; 95% confidence interval = [−0.36, −0.13], p < 0.001), with negligible heterogeneity (I 2 = 0%). Meta-regression showed no significant association between follow-up duration and effect size. No significant effects were found for anxiety (d = −0.16), but improvements were observed in quality of life (d = 0.37) and usability (d = 0.37). Adverse event rates were lower in the intervention groups (risk ratio = 0.68). Conclusion: Mobile-based cognitive behavioural therapy is a moderately effective short-term intervention for adolescent and young adult depression. These findings support its integration into mental health service delivery, although strategies to sustain long-term benefits are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Description
Abstract:Objective: Adolescent depression is a significant public health concern, with prevalence rates increasing globally over recent years. Mobile-based cognitive behavioural therapy applications are increasingly used to address adolescent depression, but their effectiveness remains unclear. This study evaluated the impact of mobile-based cognitive behavioural therapy apps on depressive symptoms in this population, with secondary analyses examining anxiety, quality of life, usability and adverse events. Method: A systematic review identified 10 randomized controlled trials containing 1896 participants. These studies were published since 2014 and assessed the effects of mobile-based cognitive behavioural therapy for depression in adolescents (aged 13–25 years). Databases searched included MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Subsequent meta-analysis was conducted on nine studies (n = 1127). Studies reporting depressive symptom outcomes were included in meta-analyses using a random-effects model. Results: Meta-analysis showed a significant reduction in depressive symptoms compared with the control groups (Cohen's d = −0.24; 95% confidence interval = [−0.36, −0.13], p < 0.001), with negligible heterogeneity (I 2 = 0%). Meta-regression showed no significant association between follow-up duration and effect size. No significant effects were found for anxiety (d = −0.16), but improvements were observed in quality of life (d = 0.37) and usability (d = 0.37). Adverse event rates were lower in the intervention groups (risk ratio = 0.68). Conclusion: Mobile-based cognitive behavioural therapy is a moderately effective short-term intervention for adolescent and young adult depression. These findings support its integration into mental health service delivery, although strategies to sustain long-term benefits are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00048674
DOI:10.1177/00048674261439533