Exploring digital health tools for depression management in primary health care: Systematic review and meta-analysis

IF 4.9 2区医学 Q1 CLINICAL NEUROLOGY

Journal of affective disorders Pub Date : 2025-04-09 DOI:10.1016/j.jad.2025.03.187

Aïna Fuster-Casanovas , Sonia Moretó Melero , Daniela Cabutto , Carme Carrion , Josep Vidal-Alaball , Estefania Herrera-Ramos , Carles Barcons , Andrea Duarte-Díaz

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Digital health tools are transforming mental health care, particularly in treating depression, which affects 5 % of the global population and is projected to be the top disease burden by 2030. In primary care, these tools improve accessibility and efficacy, addressing rising mental health demands, especially post-COVID-19.

Objective

The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of digital health tools for the management of depression within primary care.

Methods

A systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines, focusing on digital health tools for reducing depressive symptoms. Controlled trials were included, with RCTs assessed via the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and non-RCTs evaluated using the JBI checklist for quasi-experimental studies. Depressive symptom reduction was the primary outcome.

Results

A total of 29 controlled trials met the inclusion criteria, identifying were web-based platforms, mobile apps, phone calls, text messages, and decision algorithms. The meta-analysis revealed that digital health tools had a significant effect on depressive symptoms (g = −0.22, 95 % CI: −0.37; −0.06, I² = 79.64 %). At 6 to 12-month follow-up, the random effects meta-analysis showed that digital health tools had a significant effect on depressive symptoms (g = −0.19, 95%CI: −0.29; −0.09, I² = 53.42 %).

Conclusions

Digital health tools are effective in reducing the symptoms of repression. Symptom severity does not predict suitability for digital treatment, emphasizing the need for gender-sensitive approaches and strategies for older adults. Integrating digital interventions into clinical guidelines requires studies like this to support their adoption in real-world practice.

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来源期刊

Journal of affective disorders 医学-精神病学

CiteScore

10.90

自引率

6.10%

发文量

1319

审稿时长

9.3 weeks

期刊介绍： The Journal of Affective Disorders publishes papers concerned with affective disorders in the widest sense: depression, mania, mood spectrum, emotions and personality, anxiety and stress. It is interdisciplinary and aims to bring together different approaches for a diverse readership. Top quality papers will be accepted dealing with any aspect of affective disorders, including neuroimaging, cognitive neurosciences, genetics, molecular biology, experimental and clinical neurosciences, pharmacology, neuroimmunoendocrinology, intervention and treatment trials.