iBet uBet web content aggregator. Adding the entire web to your favor.
iBet uBet web content aggregator. Adding the entire web to your favor.



Link to original content: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27044849/
mHealth in psychiatry: time for methodological change - PubMed Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Comment
. 2016 May;19(2):33-4.
doi: 10.1136/eb-2015-102278. Epub 2016 Apr 4.

mHealth in psychiatry: time for methodological change

Jennifer Nicholas  1 , Katherine Boydell  2 , Helen Christensen  2
Affiliations
Comment

mHealth in psychiatry: time for methodological change

Jennifer Nicholas et al. Evid Based Ment Health. 2016 May.

Abstract

A multitude of mental health apps are available to consumers through the Apple and Google app stores. However, evidence supporting the effectiveness of mHealth is scant. We argue this gap between app availability and research evidence is primarily due to unsuitable knowledge translation practices and therefore suggest abandoning the randomised controlled trial as the primary app evaluation paradigm. Alternative evaluation methodologies such as iterative participatory research and single case designs are better aligned with mHealth translational needs. A further challenge to the use of mobile technology in mental health is the dissemination of information about app quality to consumers. Strategies to facilitate successful dissemination of quality resources must consider several factors, such as target audience and context. In practice, structured solutions to inform consumers of evidence-informed apps could range from the development of consumer used tools to app accreditation portals. Consumer enthusiasm for apps represents an opportunity to increase access and support for psychiatric populations. However, adoption of alternative research methodologies and the development of dissemination strategies are vital before this opportunity can be substantially seized.

Keywords: MENTAL HEALTH; PSYCHIATRY; STATISTICS & RESEARCH METHODS.

PubMed Disclaimer

Comment on

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Leigh S, Flatt S. App-based psychological interventions: friend or foe? Evid Based Ment Health 2015;18:97–9. 10.1136/eb-2015-102203 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Donker T, Petrie K, Proudfoot J, et al. . Smartphones for smarter delivery of mental health programs: a systematic review. J Med Internet Res 2013;15:e247. 10.2196/jmir.2791 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Nicholas J, Larsen ME, Proudfoot J, et al. . Mobile apps for bipolar disorder: a systematic review of features and content quality. J Med Internet Res 2015;17:e198. 10.2196/jmir.4581 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Abroms LC, Lee Westmaas J, Bontemps-Jones J, et al. . A content analysis of popular smartphone apps for smoking cessation. Am J Prev Med 2013;45:732–6. 10.1016/j.amepre.2013.07.008 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Mohr DC, Cheung K, Schueller SM, et al. . Continuous evaluation of evolving behavioral intervention technologies. Am J Prev Med 2013;45:517–23. 10.1016/j.amepre.2013.06.006 - DOI - PMC - PubMed