Table 3.
List of randomized controlled trials involving smartphones in the field of psychiatry identified in systematic search updated in August 2019. Description of intervention and control group as well as authors cooperation with the industry. The bottom 5 trials in italics indicate trials with diagnoses solely based on questionnaires.
| Author, year of publication | Short description of the intervention and main components. If available, the app name is displayed in italics. | Comparator. treatment received by the control groups | Blended treatment (BT)/app alone (AA) | TAUa | Cooperation/affiliation with the industryb | Description of technology available for the reader |
| Watts et al, 2013 [22] | CBTc-based “get happy program” with comic book–like lessons + homework activities | PC version of the same program | BT (limited clinician contact) | N/Ad | No | Brief description and few screenshots |
| Dagöö et al, 2014 [23] | Guided internet-based CBT adapted for mobile phone administration | Another app similar therapist contact | BT (limited clinician contact) | No | N/A | Brief descriptions |
| Gustafson et al, 2014 [24] | A-chess: app with static self-help content and interactive features with therapist feedback | TAU | BT | Yes | No | App fully available online and a description of the app is attached |
| Ly et al, 2014 [25] | App delivering behavioral activation psychotherapy with possible but limited clinician contact | Mindfulness app, similar therapist contact | BT (limited clinician contact) | No | The first author has a similar app on the open market | Good descriptions and screenshots |
| Depp et al, 2015 [26] | PRISM: interactive monitoring and intervention linking mood and activities with self-management strategies | Active control monitoring on paper | BT | N/A | No | Thorough descriptions but no technical reports or screenshots |
| Faurholt-Jepsen et al, 2015 [27] | MONARCA: self-monitoring with a double feedback loop between clinic (nurse) and patient | TAU + nurse contact + phone without app | BT | Yes | No | Thorough descriptions and screenshots in the protocol |
| Ly et al, 2015 [28] | Four therapy sessions and a smartphone app, based on behavioral activation, used between sessions | Full behavioral activation (10 sessions) | BT | No | N/A | Brief descriptions and screenshots |
| Moëll et al, 2015 [29] | Living smart: Guided online course to structure life using multiple already available apps | Waitlist control | BT | No | N/A | Multiple already-available apps |
| Ivanova et al, 2016 [30] | Internet therapy + an appe promoting change corresponding to the core treatment program, with therapist support | Waitlist or intervention without therapist support | BT | No | 2 authors employed by a technology company; 1 developed a similar app | Description and screenshots available in the protocol |
| Hildebrandt et al, 2017 [31] | NOON self-monitoring: App as an augmentation of traditional guided self-help | Guided self-help therapy without an app | BT | No | 3/5 authors have a connection to NOOM who developed the app | Short descriptions and no screenshots |
| Mantani et al, 2017 [32] | Kokoro: CBT-based self-help app with 8 sessions presented by cartoons + fixed-dose medicine shift | Medicine shift with fixed dose and no app | BTf | No | 2 of the authors developed the app | A thorough report describing the app in detail |
| Ben-Zeev et al, 2018 [33] | FOCUS: Multimodal smartphone intervention including self-assessments and on-demand functions | Clinic-based group intervention | BT | No | First author had a consulting agreement with technology company | A short description in the text - further in supplement |
| Boettcher et al, 2018 [34] | Challenger: App promoting exposure exercise through interactive challenges + internet-based therapy | 2) Waitlist control or 3) internet therapy alone | BT | No | The third author founded the app company | A short description + referral to further information |
| Bucci et al, 2018 [35] | Actissist: Self-help app that asks questions and has automated responses and various static supportive content | TAU + another app | AA | Yes | N/A | Descriptions of app and screenshots |
| Hur et al, 2018 [36] | TODAC: A scenario-based CBT app to reduce dysfunctional beliefs | Mood diary app | AA | N/A | No | Descriptions of the app modules, and small screenshots |
| Liang et al, 2018 [37] | S-health: Simple smartphone app that sends messages, controls cravings, and has a survey | Receiving text messages about various topics | AA | Yes | N/A | Survey and screenshots available + short description |
| Schlosser et al, 2018 [38] | Prime: Personalized real-time intervention for motivational enhancement. App-based online community | TAU/waitlist control | BT | Yes | No | Short description, but no screenshots |
| Stolz et al, 2018 [39] | Mobile version of validated psychoeducative self-help program with 8 modules based on cognitive therapy | Waitlist control or PC version | BT (limited clinician contact) | No | N/A | Short description of modules, but no screenshots |
| Faurholt-Jepsen et al, 2019 [40] | MONSENSO: Self-monitoring + objective monitoring with a double feedback loop between nurse and patient | TAU + offer to borrow a smartphone | BT | Yes | 2 coauthors are shareholders in Monsenso | Thorough descriptions and screenshots in the protocol |
| Krzystanek et al, 2019 [41] | MONEO: Medication reminder, cognitive training, information bank, and “tele visits” with the investigator | Inactive version + monthly video examination | BT | N/A | No | Refers to online supplementary that was not possible to find |
| Stiles-Shields et al, 2019 [42] | Boost Me (behavioral app) or Thought Challenger (a cognitive app): Both with brief weekly coaching | 2 different apps and 1 waitlist control | BT (with limited coaching) | No | Last author has an ownership interest in Actualize Therapy | Both apps are available free online |
| Teng et al, 2019 [43] | Home-delivered attention bias modification training with dot probe on screen | Control group with random dot or waitlist | BT | N/A | No | Short descriptions and few screenshots |
| Enock et al, 2014 [44] | Cognitive training via smartphone with attention bias modification training | An active control group and waitlist control | AA | Yes | No | Thorough descriptions, links, and few screenshots |
| Roepke et al, 2015 [45] | SuperBetter: Self-help game using either specific CBT or a general version using self-esteem and acceptance | 2 versions of the app and 1 waitlist control | AA | Yes | 3 authors work for SuperBetter (1 founded it) | Short description and 2 screenshots |
| Miner et al, 2016 [46] | PTSD coach: Psychoeducation, symptom assessments, self- management + access to supportive others | Waitlist control | AA | N/A | N/A | The app is available free online |
| Possemato et al, 2016 [47] | PTSD coach: Multifunctional psychoeducative self-help app with clinical support of 4, 20-min sessions | App alone | BT<=>AA | No | No | The app is available free online |
| Kuhn et al, 2017 [48] | PTSD coach: psychoeducation, symptom assessments, self-management + access to supportive others | Waitlist control | AA | No | N/A | The app is available free online |
aTAU: Treatment as usual.
bInformation assessed by author affiliation, grand support, and conflict of interest.
cCBT: cognitive behavioral therapy.
dN/A: not applicable.
eTwo treatments not technologically attached but based on same therapy.
fAllowed to discuss the app with treating physician.