2025/04/09 by Aïna Fuster‐Casanovas, Sonia Moretó Melero, Daniela Cabutto +5 · 2 voices · 1 citation
Psychology · Health Professions · #Digital Mental Health Interventions #Mental Health Treatment and Access #Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
paper · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2025.03.187
openalex publication_date 2025/04/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22
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. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of digital health tools for the management of depression within primary care. 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. 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, I 2 = 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, I 2 = 53.42 %). 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. • There are several digital health tools for managing depression in primary care. • Digital interventions are effective in the management of depression in primary care. • The efficacy of digital interventions lasts in the medium and long term. • The need for gender-sensitive research and strategies to engage older adults. • More gender-sensitive studies and strategies are needed to engage older adults.