Table 1.
Academic database search results
| Article | Platform | App cost | Funding source | Target condition | Sample size | Method | Outcomes | Length of follow-up | Evidence | Also in app store? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis-Tiwary et al. (2017). Salutary effects of an attention bias modification mobile application on biobehavioral measures of stress and anxiety during pregnancy | iOS | Free | NIH, NIMHD | Antenatal anxiety | 33 | Attention bias modification training | Self-report anxiety, stress, depression; salivary cortisol; ERP (event-related potential on EEG) to threat cues | 4 weeks | No effect on subjective anxiety, positive effect on cortisol level | Yes |
| Hantsoo et al. (2018). A mobile application for monitoring and management of depressed mood in a vulnerable pregnant population | iOS, Android | Free | Ginger.io; Penn Center for Healthcare Innovation; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program | Antenatal depression | 72 | Tracking | PHQ9; GAD; number of phone calls with providers (as a proxy for patient engagement); subjective ease of managing mental health with the app | 8 weeks | Improved PHQ9, GAD scores; more provider phone encounters that mentioned mental health, and better anxiety/depression scores in those that did have such a phone call | No |
| Chan et al. (2019). Using smartphone-based psychoeducation to reduce postnatal depression among first-time mothers: Randomized controlled trial | Not specified | Free | Health and Medical Research Fund, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region | Antenatal and postnatal depression | 660 | Education | EPDS; secondary: anxiety, stress level, health-related QoL | 4 weeks | Improved EPDS at 4 weeks compared to control | No |
| Teychenne et al. (2018). Feasibility and acceptability of a home-based physical activity program for postnatal women with depressive symptoms: A pilot study | Web app | Not specified | Institutional | Postpartum depression at 3–6 months | 11 | Education, motivational material | EPDS | 8 weeks | Improved EPDS scores | Unknown |
| Baumel et al. (2018). Digital Peer-Support Platform (7Cups) as an adjunct treatment for women with postpartum depression: Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy study | URL, certain part available via app | Free | Not specified | Postpartum depression and anxiety | 20 | Self-help tools, peer support | Beck depression inventory II; EPDS; Beck anxiety inventory | 2 months | Improved EPDS but no difference with control | Yes |
| Goetz et al. (2020). Effects of a brief electronic mindfulness-based intervention on relieving prenatal depression and anxiety in hospitalized high-risk pregnant women: Exploratory pilot study | Not specified | Free | Not specified | Peripartum depression and anxiety during inpatient stay | 68 | Mindfulness | EPDS; STAI-S; abridged version of PRAQ-R | None | Improved childbirth anxiety (reduction in PRAQ-R and STAI-S), no change in EPDS | Yes |
| Jannati et al. (2020). Effectiveness of an app-based cognitive behavioral therapy program for postpartum depression in primary care: A randomized controlled trial | Not specified | Free | None | Postpartum depression | 78 | CBT | EPDS | 2 months | Significantly improved EPDS between baseline and 2 months in intervention group (no change in control) | No |
| Shorey et al. (2017). A randomized‐ controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of the ‘Home‐but not Alone’ mobile‐ health application educational programme on parental outcomes | Not specified | Not specified | National University of Singapore Start-Up Grant | Postpartum depression in first-time parents | 250 | Education | EPDS | 6 weeks | No significant change in depression | No |
| Sawyer et al. (2019). The effectiveness of an app-based nurse-moderated program for new mothers with depression and parenting problems (eMums Plus): Pragmatic randomized controlled trial | iOS, Android | Free | Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation Grant (161,258); National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Centres of Research Excellence Grant (1,099,422) | Postnatal depression, maternal self-competence, quality of mother-infant relationship | 160 | Nurse-led group intervention, education, peer support | EPDS; maternal self- competence (PSCS, PSI competence subscale); quality of mother-infant relationship (SCAST scale, PSI attachment subscale) | 12 months | No significant change in depressive symptoms nor improvement in maternal caregiving; mothers in intervention found app helpful and easy to use | Yes |