Therapeutic Approaches in Reimbursable German Digital Health Applications (DiHA) for Depression.

Abstract

This study analyzed digital health applications (DiHA) available in Germany for treating depression, with 41% (26/64) targeting mental health. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the dominant approach, as six DiHA focus on CBT, featuring common components like managing unwanted thoughts, behavioral activation, and relaxation. However, only three apps include cognitive restructuring, a key aspect of CBT. There is a lack of DiHA for alternative therapy methods like depth psychology, limiting options for patients seeking different approaches. The analysis also found fragmented information on app components, suggesting a need for centralizing comprehensive data in the official DiHA directory for better decision-making.