Table 2.
Summary of published research for shortlisted apps.
| App name | Reference | Sample characteristics | Intervention period; long-term follow-up period |
Statistically significant improvements | Outcome measure used |
| Agoraphobia Free | Christoforou et al [47] | Intervention group: n=73 Control group: n=69 Mean age (SD): 39.7 years (11.3) |
12 weeks; no follow-up |
Anxiety | PASa |
| Catch It | Kinderman et al [48] | Intervention group: n=285 Control group: none Mean age (SD): 48.2 years (SD not given) |
6 weeks (but varied among participants); no follow-up |
Positive and negative mood | Noneb |
| PTSD Coach | Kuhn et al [49] | Intervention group: n=62 Control group: n=58 Mean age (SD): 39.3 years (14.6) |
3 months; 3 months |
Anxiety and depression | PCL-Cc and PHQ-9d |
| MoodMission | Bakker et al [50] | Intervention group (a): n=56 Intervention group (b): n=56 Intervention group (c): n=50 Control group: n=64 Mean age (SD): 34.2 years (12.1) |
30 days; no follow-up |
Depression | PHQ-9 |
| Thought Challenger | Stiles-Shields et al [51] | Intervention group (a): n=10 Intervention group (b): n=10 Control group: n=10 Mean age (SD): not given |
6 weeks; 4 weeks |
Depression | PHQ-9 |
| Headspace | Flett et al [52] | Intervention group: n=67 Control group: n=67 Mean age (SD): 20.1 years (2.8) |
40 days; no follow-up |
Depression | CES-De |
| Smiling Mind | Flett et al [52] | Intervention group: n=58 Control group: n=67 Mean age (SD): 20.1 years (2.8) |
40 days; no follow-up |
Depression | CES-D |
| DeStressify | Lee and Jung [53] | Intervention group: n=77 Control group: n=86 Mean age (SD): 20.6 years (SD not given) |
4 weeks; no follow-up |
Trait anxiety | STAIf |
| SuperBetter | Roepke et al [54] | Intervention group (a): n=93 Intervention group (b): n=97 Control group: n=93 Mean age (SD): 40.2 years (12.4) |
4 weeks; 6 weeks |
Depression | CES-D |
| MindSurf | Carey et al [55] | Intervention group: n=23 Control group: none Mean age (SD): not given |
2 weeks; no follow-up |
Anxiety and depression (not statistically significant) | DASS-21g |
aPAS: Panic and Agoraphobia Scale.
bUsed direct data input from apps based on words used by users to describe mood.
cPCL-C: PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) Checklist – Civilian.
dPHQ-9: Patient Health Questionnaire – Depression Scale.
eCES-D: Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression Scale.
fSTAI: State Trait Anxiety Inventory.
gDASS-21: Depression Anxiety Stress Scales – 21-Item Version.