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Cited by 30Digital Mental Health InterventionsMental Health Treatment and AccessTelemedicine and Telehealth Implementation

Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Mental Health Prevention and Treatment

Open access
Fonseca, Ana, Osma, Jorge·2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
DOI 10.3390/ijerph18020461PMC PMC7827882
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Abstract

Mental disorders are a recognized population health issue, with recent estimates placing mental illness as the first in global burden of disease in terms of years lived with disability, and comparable to cardiovascular and circulatory diseases in terms of disability-adjusted life years.Common mental disorders refer to a range of anxiety and depressive disorders, which are prevalent disorders around the world (4.4% and 3.6% of the global population suffer from depression and anxiety disorders, respectively), with variations across different regions and populations [1].Despite the human, social, and economic costs of mental disorders, mental health has been often neglected.Recently, the Lancet Commission on Global Mental Health and Sustainable Development launched a report recommending that mental health should be reframed as a fundamental human right, and that the definition of mental health should be expanded to promote mental wellbeing, prevent mental health problems, and enable recovery from mental disorders.Despite this, we still face great inequalities in access to mental health promotion, prevention, and treatment programs worldwide (e.g., limited resources to accommodate the existent needs) and/or treatment uptake barriers, such as attitudinal barriers (e.g., stigma towards mental health) or structural barriers (e.g., geographical or financial restrictions, work constraints, or patient's physical conditions).The delivery of psychological services-including assessment/monitoring, mental health promotion, prevention, and treatment-through information and communication technologies (ICT) may be an effective way of improving individual access and use of mental healthcare services [2].ICT-delivered psychological services include (but are not restricted to) web-based interventions, mobile apps, videoconferencing systems (telepsychology), or virtual reality systems, and may be used complementary to face-to-face services or as the sole means of access to psychological interventions.The use of ICT-delivered psychological services has several advantages, related with increased accessibility and flexibility, self-monitoring integrated into treatment, and empowerment promotion, as well as increased novelty and appeal.However, we cannot exclude that they also have challenges and limitations, related with low digital literacy or with safety and privacy issues, among others [2].The present Special Issue focuses on acceptability, cost-effectiveness, potentialities, and limitations of ICT-based psychological services for mental health promotion, prevention, and treatment.Sixteen articles are included in this special issue from different international research teams working in China, Portugal, Spain, and the United States.Five of the studies included in this Special Issue focused on the assessment of ICT tools for the prevention [3,4] and treatment [5,6] of mental disorders, or the promotion of mental health [7], in different populations.Specifically, these studies examined the interventions' effectiveness, clinical utility, acceptability, or feasibility through pilot trials or randomized controlled trials.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This editorial introduces a Special Issue of the *International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health* on the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) for mental health prevention and treatment, summarizing 16 articles from research teams in China, Portugal, Spain, and the United States. It concludes that ICT-based interventions for mental health prevention or treatment have generally proved effective, feasible, and well accepted by users.

Key findings

  • The issue covers ICT-delivered assessment, prevention, promotion, and treatment, including web-based interventions, mobile apps, videoconferencing (telepsychology), and virtual reality, used alone or as an adjunct to face-to-face care.
  • Among the summarized studies: Gladstone et al. found long-term reductions in depressive symptoms in both the CATCH-IT and health-education groups, with a cross-over effect for anxiety symptoms in the CATCH-IT group; Sandín et al. reported high feasibility and acceptability for an internet-delivered Unified Protocol for adolescents; Otero et al. found preliminary evidence of reduced depressive symptoms and depression risk in non-professional caregivers using a smartphone app plus psychologist conference calls.
  • Monteiro et al. found women in the intervention group showed a larger increase in positive mental health than a waiting-list control; Da et al. reported increases in psychological capital and job satisfaction and reductions in turnover intention after a 20-min/day, 5-day online intervention; Suso-Ribera et al. found telemonitoring effective for pain and other mental health outcomes, particularly with clinician alarms.
  • Other contributions: Herrero et al. reported good psychometric properties of the WAI-TECH-SF in 193 participants with depression; Castilla et al. studied usability needs of 28 participants aged 58–95 with mild cognitive impairment; Castro et al. surveyed 1705 university students on dating-app use; Gual-Montolio et al.'s systematic review covered 18 articles on routine outcome monitoring and measurement-based care; Dores et al. found psychologists adopted ICTs during COVID-19 and assessed the experience as positive.

Methods

  • Design: editorial/introduction to a Special Issue; no primary data collection or analysis of its own.
  • Data: narrative description of 16 articles included in the Special Issue, spanning pilot trials, randomized controlled trials, study protocols, a systematic review, and usability and survey studies.
  • Analysis: qualitative summary of each included article's aims and reported results, organized by topic (prevention/treatment/promotion, protocols, screening and monitoring, and other ICT aspects).

Limitations

  • The paper states only that "Despite the limitations of the studies included in this Special Issue…" ICT-based interventions generally proved effective, feasible, and well accepted; it does not enumerate its own limitations.
  • Evident from the text: as an editorial, it provides no systematic search strategy, no quality appraisal, and no quantitative synthesis, and its conclusions rest on selective narrative summaries of the included studies.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.3390/ijerph18020461

Cites

18 of 18 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 30 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Premisecitation
    § Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Mental Health Prevention and Treatment

    In the CATCH-IT trial, participants in the CATCH-IT group showed a cross-over effect for anxiety symptoms.

    “participants in the CATCH-IT group also showed a cross-over effect for anxiety symptoms”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [3] Gladstone, T., Buchholz, K.R., Fitzgibbon, M., Schiffer, L., Lee, M., and Voorhees, B.W.V. (2020). Randomized Clinical Trial of an Internet-Based Adolescent Depression Prevention Intervention in Primary Care: Internalizing Symptom Outcomes. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Premisecitation
    § Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Mental Health Prevention and Treatment

    The pilot trial of the internet-delivered UP-A showed preliminary evidence of the program's efficacy in improving outcomes (anxiety and depression) and vulnerability of transdiagnostic mechanisms.

    “showing preliminary evidence of the program’s efficacy in improving outcomes (anxiety and depression) and vulnerability of transdiagnostic mechanisms.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [5] Sandín, B., García-Escalera, J., Valiente, R.M., Espinosa, V., and Chorot, P. (2020). Clinical Utility of an Internet-Delivered Version of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Adolescents (iUP-A): A Pilot Open Trial. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Premisecitation
    § Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Mental Health Prevention and Treatment

    Suso-Ribera et al.'s results were suggestive of the effectiveness of telemonitoring in pain and other mental health outcomes (e.g., depressive symptoms), particularly if an alarm system that allows changes in pain management can be implemented.

    “the results of this study were suggestive of the effectiveness of telemonitoring in pain and other mental health outcomes (e.g., depressive symptoms), particularly if an alarm system that allow changes in pain management can be implemented.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [11] Suso-Ribera, C., Castilla, D., Zaragozá, I., Mesas, Á., Server, A., Medel, J., and García-Palacios, A. (2020). Telemonitoring in Chronic Pain Management Using Smartphone Apps: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Usual Assessment against App-Based Monitoring with and without Clinical Alarms. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Premisecitation
    § Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Mental Health Prevention and Treatment

    Andreu-Pejó et al.'s results showed that certain personality characteristics (e.g., high neuroticism) may be a risk factor to pregnant women's wellbeing deterioration.

    “The results showed that certain personality characteristics (e.g., high neuroticism) may be a risk factor to pregnant women’s wellbeing deterioration”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [12] Andreu-Pejó, L., Martínez-Borba, V., Suso-Ribera, C., and Osma, J. (2020). Can We Predict the Evolution of Depressive Symptoms, Adjustment, and Perceived Social Support of Pregnant Women from Their Personality Characteristics? A Technology-Supported Longitudinal Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Premisecitation
    § Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Mental Health Prevention and Treatment

    Monteiro et al.'s trial showed that women in the intervention group presented a larger increase in positive mental health compared to women in the waiting-list control group.

    “The results showed that women in the intervention group presented a larger increase in positive mental health compared to women in the waiting-list control group”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [7] Monteiro, F., Pereira, M., Canavarro, M.C., and Fonseca, A. (2020). Be a Mom’s Efficacy in Enhancing Positive Mental Health among Postpartum Women Presenting Low Risk for Postpartum Depression: Results from a Pilot Randomized Trial. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 1
  • May combine two claims. 13
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Mental Health Prevention and Treatment

    Common mental disorders are prevalent around the world, with 4.4% of the global population suffering from depression and 3.6% from anxiety disorders, with variations across regions and populations.

    “Common mental disorders refer to a range of anxiety and depressive disorders, which are prevalent disorders around the world (4.4% and 3.6% of the global population suffer from depression and anxiety disorders, respectively), with variations across different regions and populations [1].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [1] World Health Organization (2017). Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates, World Health Organization.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Mental Health Prevention and Treatment

    Otero et al.'s intervention showed good indicators of adherence and satisfaction.

    “show good indicators of adherence and satisfaction with the intervention”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [4] Otero, P., Hita, I., Torres, Á.J., and Vázquez, F.L. (2020). Brief Psychological Intervention Through Mobile App and Conference Calls for the Prevention of Depression in Non-Professional Caregivers: A Pilot Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Mental Health Prevention and Treatment

    Otero et al.'s brief cognitive-behavioral intervention for depression prevention delivered through a smartphone app combined with feedback provided preliminary evidence of efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms and risk of developing depression, both at postintervention and follow-up.

    “The results provided preliminary evidence of the efficacy of the intervention in reducing depressive symptoms and the risk of developing depression, both at postintervention and in the follow-up assessments”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [4] Otero, P., Hita, I., Torres, Á.J., and Vázquez, F.L. (2020). Brief Psychological Intervention Through Mobile App and Conference Calls for the Prevention of Depression in Non-Professional Caregivers: A Pilot Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Mental Health Prevention and Treatment

    Vara et al.'s results supported that promotion of positive affect might have an impact on the decline in clinical symptomatology and improve positive functioning.

    “The results of this study supported not only that the promotion of positive affect might have an impact on the decline in clinical symptomatology and improve positive functioning”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [6] Vara, M.D., Mira, A., Miragall, M., García-Palacios, A., Botella, C., Gili, M., Riera-Serra, P., García-Campayo, J., Mayoral-Cleries, F., and Baños, R.M. (2020). A Low-Intensity Internet-Based Intervention Focused on the Promotion of Positive Affect for the Treatment of Depression in Spanish Primary Care: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Mental Health Prevention and Treatment

    The internet-delivered version of the UP-A showed high feasibility and acceptability, with all participants and responsible parents reporting an improvement in the adolescents' ability to cope with emotions.

    “The internet-delivered version of the UP-A showed high feasibility and acceptability, with all participants and responsible parents reporting an improvement in the adolescents’ ability to cope with emotions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [5] Sandín, B., García-Escalera, J., Valiente, R.M., Espinosa, V., and Chorot, P. (2020). Clinical Utility of an Internet-Delivered Version of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Adolescents (iUP-A): A Pilot Open Trial. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Mental Health Prevention and Treatment

    Da et al.'s preliminary results showed increases in psychological capital, job satisfaction and reductions in turnover intention after the intervention and at one-week follow-up.

    “The preliminary results have shown increases in psychological capital, job satisfaction and reductions in turnover intention after the intervention and at one-week follow-up.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [8] Da, S., He, Y., and Zhang, X. (2020). Effectiveness of Psychological Capital Intervention and Its Influence on Work-Related Attitudes: Daily Online Self-Learning Method and Randomized Controlled Trial Design. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Mental Health Prevention and Treatment

    Gual-Montolio et al.'s systematic review of eighteen articles showed that handheld technologies such as smartphone apps, tablets, or laptops were used for assessment and feedback during psychological interventions (including ROM and MBC), providing evidence about their feasibility and acceptability.

    “The eighteen articles revised showed that handheld technologies such as smartphone apps, tablets, or laptops were used for assessment and feedback during psychological interventions (including ROM and MBC), providing evidence about their feasibility and acceptability.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [13] Gual-Montolio, P., Martínez-Borba, V., Bretón-López, J.M., Osma, J., and Suso-Ribera, C. (2020). How Are Information and Communication Technologies Supporting Routine Outcome Monitoring and Measurement-Based Care in Psychotherapy? A Systematic Review. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Mental Health Prevention and Treatment

    Herrero et al. found good psychometric properties of the WAI-TECH-SF and its association with positive therapeutic outcomes (changes in depressive symptoms) and satisfaction with treatment in a sample of 193 participants with depressed diagnosis.

    “Authors found good psychometric properties of the WAI-TECH-SF and its association with positive therapeutic outcomes (changes in depressive symptoms) and satisfaction with the treatment in a sample of 193 participants with depressed diagnosis.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [14] Herrero, R., Vara, M.D., Miragall, M., Botella, C., García-Palacios, A., Riper, H., Kleiboer, A., and Baños, R.M. (2020). Working Alliance Inventory for Online Interventions-Short Form (WAI-TECH-SF): The Role of the Therapeutic Alliance between Patient and Online Program in Therapeutic Outcomes. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation
    § Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Mental Health Prevention and Treatment

    ICTs can provide important benefits over the psychotherapy process, maintaining the therapeutic alliance and allowing clinicians to assess and get feedback of certain health or clinical variables over the interventions.

    “ICTs can also provide important benefits over the psychotherapy process, maintaining the therapeutic alliance and allowing clinicians to assess and get feedback of certain health or clinical variables over the interventions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Mental Health Prevention and Treatment

    In general, ICT-based interventions applied for mental health prevention or treatment have proved to be effective, feasible, and well-accepted by users.

    “in general, we can say that ICT-based interventions applied for mental health prevention or treatment have proved to be effective, feasible, and well-accepted by users.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The included studies are representative and sufficient to conclude that ICT-based interventions in general are effective, feasible, and well-accepted.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Mental Health Prevention and Treatment

    Through ICTs, people can benefit from evidence-based prevention and treatment psychological interventions without losing their privacy, and integrating the intervention in their normal daily routine (e.g., perinatal women).

    “Through ICTs, people can benefit from evidence-based prevention and treatment psychological interventions without losing their privacy, and integrating the intervention in their normal daily routine (e.g., perinatal women).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Premisecitation
    § Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Mental Health Prevention and Treatment

    Dores et al.'s results showed that psychologists globally assessed the experience of delivering psychological services through ICT tools as positive and with similar results.

    “they globally assessed the experience of delivering psychological services through ICT tools as positive and with similar results”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [19] Dores, A.R., Geraldo, A., Carvalho, I.P., and Barbosa, F. (2020). The Use of New Digital Information and Communication Technologies in Psychological Counseling during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Mental Health Prevention and Treatment

    Castro et al.'s results indicated that being men, older youth, and members of sexual minorities were more likely to be current and previous dating app users.

    “Results indicated that being men, older youth, and members of sexual minorities were more likely to be current and previous dating app users.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [17] Castro, Á., Barrada, J.R., Ramos-Villagrasa, P.J., and Fernández-del-Río, E. (2020). Profiling Dating Apps Users: Sociodemographic and Personality Characteristics. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17. source

      Not checked in the free run.

13 of 13

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Mental disorders are a recognized population health issue, with mental illness first in global burden of disease in terms of years lived with disability and comparable to cardiovascular and circulatory diseases in terms of disability-adjusted life years.

    “Mental disorders are a recognized population health issue, with recent estimates placing mental illness as the first in global burden of disease in terms of years lived with disability, and comparable to cardiovascular and circulatory diseases in terms of disability-adjusted life years.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The included studies are representative and sufficient to conclude that ICT-based interventions in general are effective, feasible, and well-accepted.

    “in general, we can say that ICT-based interventions applied for mental health prevention or treatment have proved to be effective, feasible, and well-accepted by users.”
2 of 2

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Authors
Fonseca, A., & Osma, J.
Affiliations
  • University of Coimbra (PT)
  • Universidad de Zaragoza (ES)
Corresponding author
  • Fonseca, Ana
  • Osma, Jorge
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2021-01-08
Volume
18
Issue
2
Pages
461
ISSN
1660-4601 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/ijerph18020461
PMC
PMC7827882
OpenAlex
W3118492477
Semantic Scholar
2ae07a7e8165ecd358154ed6508ddf966131ae7a
Cited by
30
References
18
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 4
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
  • Zaguan (Universidad de Zaragoza) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Jorge Osma was funded by Gobierno de Aragón (Departamento de Innovación, Investigación y Universidad) and Feder 2014–2020 “Construyendo Europa Desde Aragón” (Research group grant S31_20D)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation
Keywords
information and communication technologies, mental health, mental disorder prevention, psychotherapy, global burden of disease, disability-adjusted life years, population health

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