Cited by 436Digital Mental Health InterventionsTelemedicine and Telehealth ImplementationMobile Health and mHealth Applications

Digital Health Interventions for Delivery of Mental Health Care: Systematic and Comprehensive Meta-Review

Open access
Philippe, Tristan J, Sikder, Naureen, Jackson, Anna, Koblanski, Maya E, Liow, Eric, Pilarinos, Andreas, Vasarhelyi, Krisztina·2022·JMIR Mental Health

Published version of a preprint

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted mental health care delivery to digital platforms, videoconferencing, and other mobile communications. However, existing reviews of digital health interventions are narrow in scope and focus on a limited number of mental health conditions. OBJECTIVE: To address this gap, we conducted a comprehensive systematic meta-review of the literature to assess the state of digital health interventions for the treatment of mental health conditions. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE for secondary literature published between 2010 and 2021 on the use, efficacy, and appropriateness of digital health interventions for the delivery of mental health care. RESULTS: Of the 3022 records identified, 466 proceeded to full-text review and 304 met the criteria for inclusion in this study. A majority (52%) of research involved the treatment of substance use disorders, 29% focused on mood, anxiety, and traumatic stress disorders, and >5% for each remaining mental health conditions. Synchronous and asynchronous communication, computerized therapy, and cognitive training appear to be effective but require further examination in understudied mental health conditions. Similarly, virtual reality, mobile apps, social media platforms, and web-based forums are novel technologies that have the potential to improve mental health but require higher quality evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Digital health interventions offer promise in the treatment of mental health conditions. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, digital health interventions provide a safer alternative to face-to-face treatment. However, further research on the applications of digital interventions in understudied mental health conditions is needed. Additionally, evidence is needed on the effectiveness and appropriateness of digital health tools for patients who are marginalized and may lack access to digital health interventions.

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  1. [9]Robinson J Borgo L Fennel K Funahashi T The Covid-19 Pandemic Accelerates the Transition to Virtual Care NEJM Catal Innov Care Deliv 2020 10.1056/CAT.20.0399 · DOI
  2. [379]Hoffman, Liza J. Vaidyam, Aditya Wisniewski, Hannah Henson, Phil Hays, Ryan Hendel, Victoria Keshavan, Matcheri Torous, John B. Digital Opportunities for Outcomes in Recovery Services Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center 2020-04-23 https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d321d55bdb594133bc03c07/5db8f45e6f2f7660f86437c1_190924%20DOORS%20Manual-compressed.pdf PMC7135933 32134881
  3. [406]American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) 2013 Washington, DC American Psychiatric Publishing

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Authors
Philippe, T. J., Sikder, N., Jackson, A., Koblanski, M. E., Liow, E., Pilarinos, A., & Vasarhelyi, K.
Affiliations
  • University of British Columbia (CA)
  • Vancouver Community College (CA)
  • Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (CA)
Venue
JMIR Mental Health
Published
2022-05-12
Volume
9
Issue
5
Pages
e35159
ISSN
2368-7959 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4226148866
Cited by
436
References
405
Citations by year
2026: 114 · 2025: 137 · 2024: 114 · 2023: 65 · 2022: 5
FWCI
14.28
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • JMIR Mental Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Summit (Simon Fraser University) (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
  • Summit (Simon Fraser University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
Keywords
digital health interventions, mental health service delivery, telemedicine, COVID-19 pandemic, substance use disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, traumatic stress disorders, virtual reality therapy, mobile health apps, social media and mental health, cognitive training, asynchronous communication, marginalized communities, digital divide

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