Current evidence on the efficacy of mental health smartphone apps for symptoms of depression and anxiety. A meta-analysis of 176 randomized controlled trials.
World psychiatry : official journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA)
The mental health care available for depression and anxiety has recently undergone a major technological revolution, with growing interest towards the potential of smartphone apps as a scalable tool to treat these conditions. Since the last comprehensive meta-analysis in 2019 established positive yet variable effects of apps on depressive and anxiety symptoms, more than 100 new randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been carried out. We conducted an updated meta-analysis with the objectives of providing more precise estimates of effects, quantifying generalizability from this evidence base, and understanding whether major app and trial characteristics moderate effect sizes. We included 176 RCTs that aimed to treat depressive or anxiety symptoms. Apps had overall significant although small effects on symptoms of depression (N=33,567, g=0.28, p<0.001; number needed to treat, NNT=11.5) and generalized anxiety (N=22,394, g=0.26, p<0.001, NNT=12.4) as compared to control groups. These effects were robust at different follow-ups and after removing small sample and higher risk of bias trials. There was less variability in outcome scores at post-test in app compared to control conditions (ratio of variance, RoV=-0.14, 95% CI: -0.24 to -0.05 for depressive symptoms; RoV=-0.21, 95% CI: -0.31 to -0.12 for generalized anxiety symptoms). Effect sizes for depression were significantly larger when apps incorporated cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) features or included chatbot technology. Effect sizes for anxiety were significantly larger when trials had generalized anxiety as a primary target and administered a CBT app or an app with mood monitoring features. We found evidence of moderate effects of apps on social anxiety (g=0.52) and obsessive-compulsive (g=0.51) symptoms, a small effect on post-traumatic stress symptoms (g=0.12), a large effect on acrophobia symptoms (g=0.90), and a non-significant negative effect on panic symptoms (g=-0.12), although these results should be considered with caution, because most trials had high risk of bias and were based on small sample sizes. We conclude that apps have overall small but significant effects on symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety, and that specific features of apps - such as CBT or mood monitoring features and chatbot technology - are associated with larger effect sizes.
10.1002/wps.21183
Effect of Face-to-Face vs Virtual Reality Training on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Quality: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Nas Joris,Thannhauser Jos,Vart Priya,van Geuns Robert-Jan,Muijsers Hella E C,Mol Jan-Quinten,Aarts Goaris W A,Konijnenberg Lara S F,Gommans D H Frank,Ahoud-Schoenmakers Sandra G A M,Vos Jacqueline L,van Royen Niels,Bonnes Judith L,Brouwer Marc A
JAMA cardiology
Importance:Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is crucial for survival after cardiac arrest but not performed in most cases. New, low-cost, and easily accessible training methods, such as virtual reality (VR), may reach broader target populations, but data on achieved CPR skills are lacking. Objective:To compare CPR quality between VR and face-to-face CPR training. Design, Setting, and Participants:Randomized noninferiority trial with a prospective randomized open blinded end point design. Participants were adult attendees from the science section of the Lowlands Music Festival (August 16 to 18, 2019) in the Netherlands. Analysis began September 2019. Interventions:Two standardized 20-minute protocols on CPR and automated external defibrillator use: instructor-led face-to-face training or VR training using a smartphone app endorsed by the Resuscitation Council (United Kingdom). Main Outcomes and Measures:During a standardized CPR scenario following the training, we assessed the primary outcome CPR quality, measured as chest compression depth and rate using CPR manikins. Overall CPR performance was assessed by examiners, blinded for study groups, using a European Resuscitation Council-endorsed checklist (maximum score, 13). Additional secondary outcomes were chest compression fraction, proportions of participants with mean depth (50 mm-60 mm) or rate (100 min-1-120 min-1) within guideline ranges, and proportions compressions with full release. Results:A total of 381 participants were randomized: 216 women (57%); median (interquartile range [IQR]) age, 26 (22-31) years. The VR app (n = 190 [49.9%]) was inferior to face-to-face training (n = 191 [50.1%]) for chest compression depth (mean [SD], VR: 49 [10] mm vs face to face: 57 [5] mm; mean [95% CI] difference, -8 [-9 to -6] mm), and noninferior for chest compression rate (mean [SD]: VR: 114 [12] min-1 vs face to face: 109 [12] min-1; mean [95% CI] difference, 6 [3 to 8] min-1). The VR group had lower overall CPR performance scores (median [IQR], 10 [8-12] vs 12 [12-13]; P < .001). Chest compression fraction (median [IQR], 61% [52%-66%] vs 67% [62%-71%]; P < .001) and proportions of participants fulfilling depth (51% [n = 89] vs 75% [n = 133], P < .001) and rate (50% [n = 87] vs 63% [n = 111], P = .01) requirements were also lower in the VR group. The proportion of compressions with full release was higher in the VR group (median [IQR], 98% [59%-100%] vs 88% [55%-99%]; P = .002). Conclusions and Relevance:In this randomized noninferiority trial, VR training resulted in comparable chest compression rate but inferior compression depth compared with face-to-face training. Given the potential of VR training to reach a larger target population, further development is needed to achieve the compression depth and overall CPR skills acquired by face-to-face training. Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04013633.
10.1001/jamacardio.2019.4992
An Adaptive Behavioral Intervention for Weight Loss Management: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA
Importance:Lifestyle interventions for weight loss are difficult to implement in clinical practice. Self-managed mobile health implementations without or with added support after unsuccessful weight loss attempts could offer effective population-level obesity management. Objective:To test whether a wireless feedback system (WFS) yields noninferior weight loss vs WFS plus telephone coaching and whether participants who do not respond to initial treatment achieve greater weight loss with more vs less vigorous step-up interventions. Design, Setting, and Participants:In this noninferiority randomized trial, 400 adults aged 18 to 60 years with a body mass index of 27 to 45 were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to undergo 3 months of treatment initially with WFS or WFS plus coaching at a US academic medical center between June 2017 and March 2021. Participants attaining suboptimal weight loss were rerandomized to undergo modest or vigorous step-up intervention. Interventions:The WFS included a Wi-Fi activity tracker and scale transmitting data to a smartphone app to provide daily feedback on progress in lifestyle change and weight loss, and WFS plus coaching added 12 weekly 10- to 15-minute supportive coaching calls delivered by bachelor's degree-level health promotionists viewing participants' self-monitoring data on a dashboard; step-up interventions included supportive messaging via mobile device screen notifications (app-based screen alerts) without or with coaching or powdered meal replacement. Participants and staff were unblinded and outcome assessors were blinded to treatment randomization. Main Outcomes and Measures:The primary outcome was the between-group difference in 6-month weight change, with the noninferiority margin defined as a difference in weight change of -2.5 kg; secondary outcomes included between-group differences for all participants in weight change at 3 and 12 months and between-group 6-month weight change difference among nonresponders exposed to modest vs vigorous step-up interventions. Results:Among 400 participants (mean [SD] age, 40.5 [11.2] years; 305 [76.3%] women; 81 participants were Black and 266 were White; mean [SD] body mass index, 34.4 [4.3]) randomized to undergo WFS (n = 199) vs WFS plus coaching (n = 201), outcome data were available for 342 participants (85.5%) at 6 months. Six-month weight loss was -2.8 kg (95% CI, -3.5 to -2.0) for the WFS group and -4.8 kg (95% CI, -5.5 to -4.1) for participants in the WFS plus coaching group (difference in weight change, -2.0 kg [90% CI, -2.9 to -1.1]; P < .001); the 90% CI included the noninferiority margin of -2.5 kg. Weight change differences were comparable at 3 and 12 months and, among nonresponders, at 6 months, with no difference by step-up therapy. Conclusions and Relevance:A wireless feedback system (Wi-Fi activity tracker and scale with smartphone app to provide daily feedback) was not noninferior to the same system with added coaching. Continued efforts are needed to identify strategies for weight loss management and to accurately select interventions for different individuals to achieve weight loss goals. Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02997943.
10.1001/jama.2024.0821
Association of a Smartphone Application With Medication Adherence and Blood Pressure Control: The MedISAFE-BP Randomized Clinical Trial.
Morawski Kyle,Ghazinouri Roya,Krumme Alexis,Lauffenburger Julie C,Lu Zhigang,Durfee Erin,Oley Leslie,Lee Jessica,Mohta Namita,Haff Nancy,Juusola Jessie L,Choudhry Niteesh K
JAMA internal medicine
Importance:Medication nonadherence accounts for up to half of uncontrolled hypertension. Smartphone applications (apps) that aim to improve adherence are widely available but have not been rigorously evaluated. Objective:To determine if the Medisafe smartphone app improves self-reported medication adherence and blood pressure control. Design, Setting, and Participants:This was a 2-arm, randomized clinical trial (Medication Adherence Improvement Support App For Engagement-Blood Pressure [MedISAFE-BP]). Participants were recruited through an online platform and were mailed a home blood pressure cuff to confirm eligibility and to provide follow-up measurements. Of 5577 participants who were screened, 412 completed consent, met inclusion criteria (confirmed uncontrolled hypertension, taking 1 to 3 antihypertensive medications), and were randomized in a ratio of 1:1 to intervention or control. Interventions:Intervention arm participants were instructed to download and use the Medisafe app, which includes reminder alerts, adherence reports, and optional peer support. Main Outcomes and Measures:Co-primary outcomes were change from baseline to 12 weeks in self-reported medication adherence, measured by the Morisky medication adherence scale (MMAS) (range, 0-8, with lower scores indicating lower adherence), and change in systolic blood pressure. Results:Participants (n = 411; 209 in the intervention group and 202 controls) had a mean age of 52.0 years and mean body mass index, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared, of 35.5; 247 (60%) were female, and 103 (25%) were black. After 12 weeks, the mean (SD) score on the MMAS improved by 0.4 (1.5) among intervention participants and remained unchanged among controls (between-group difference: 0.4; 95% CI, 0.1-0.7; P = .01). The mean (SD) systolic blood pressure at baseline was 151.4 (9.0) mm Hg and 151.3 (9.4) mm Hg, among intervention and control participants, respectively. After 12 weeks, the mean (SD) systolic blood pressure decreased by 10.6 (16.0) mm Hg among intervention participants and 10.1 (15.4) mm Hg among controls (between-group difference: -0.5; 95% CI, -3.7 to 2.7; P = .78). Conclusions and Relevance:Among individuals with poorly controlled hypertension, patients randomized to use a smartphone app had a small improvement in self-reported medication adherence but no change in systolic blood pressure compared with controls. Trial Registration:clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02727543.
10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.0447
Effectiveness of home-based and remotely supervised aerobic exercise in Parkinson's disease: a double-blind, randomised controlled trial.
van der Kolk Nicolien M,de Vries Nienke M,Kessels Roy P C,Joosten Hilde,Zwinderman Aeilko H,Post Bart,Bloem Bastiaan R
The Lancet. Neurology
BACKGROUND:High-intensity aerobic exercise might attenuate the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, but high-quality evidence is scarce. Moreover, long-term adherence remains challenging. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of aerobic exercise-gamified and delivered at home, to promote adherence-on relieving motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease with mild disease severity who were on common treatment regimes. METHODS:In this single-centre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial (Park-in-Shape), we recruited sedentary patients with Parkinson's disease from the outpatient clinic at Radboudumc, Nijmegen, Netherlands. Patients were made aware of the study either by their treating neurologist or via information in the waiting room. Patients could also contact the study team via social media. We included patients aged 30-75 years with a Hoehn and Yahr stage of 2 or lower, who were on stable dopaminergic medication. Patients were randomly assigned (in a 1:1 ratio) to either aerobic exercise done on a stationary home-trainer (aerobic intervention group) or stretching (active control group) by means of a web-based system with minimisation for sex and medication status (treated or untreated) and permuted blocks of varying sizes of more than two (unknown to study personnel). Patients were only aware of the content of their assigned programme. Assessors were unaware of group assignments. Both interventions were home based, requiring 30-45 min training three times per week for 6 months. Both groups received a motivational app and remote supervision. Home trainers were enhanced with virtual reality software and real-life videos providing a so-called exergaming experience (ie, exercise enhanced by gamified elements). The primary outcome was the between-group difference in the Movement Disorders Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) motor section at 6 months, tested during the off state (≥12 h after last dopaminergic medication). The analysis was done on an intention-to-treat basis in patients who completed the follow-up assessment, regardless of whether they completed the assigned intervention. Patients reported adverse events directly to their coach and also after the 6-month visit retrospectively. A between-group difference of 3·5 points or more was deemed a-priori clinically relevant. The study is concluded and registered with the Dutch Trial Registry, NTR4743. FINDINGS:Between Feb 2, 2015, and Oct 27, 2017, 139 patients were assessed for eligibility in person, of whom 130 were randomly assigned to either the aerobic intervention group (n=65) or the active control group (n=65). Data from 125 (96%) patients were available for the primary analysis; five patients were lost to follow-up (four in the intervention group; one in the control group). 20 patients (ten in each group) did not complete their assigned programme. The off-state MDS-UPDRS motor score revealed a between-group difference of 4·2 points (95% CI 1·6-6·9, p=0·0020) in favour of aerobic exercise (mean 1·3 points [SE 1·8] in the intervention group and 5·6 points [SE 1·9] for the control group). 11 patients had potentially related adverse events (seven [11%] in the intervention group, four [6%] in the control group) and seven had unrelated serious adverse events (three in the intervention group [vestibilar disorder, vasovagal collapse, knee injury during gardening that required surgery; 6%], four in the control group [supraventricular tachycardia, hip fracture, fall related injury, severe dyskinesias after suprathreshold dose levodopa in a patient with deep brain stimulation; 7%]). INTERPRETATION:Aerobic exercise can be done at home by patients with Parkinson's disease with mild disease severity and it attenuates off-state motor signs. Future studies should establish long-term effectiveness and possible disease-modifying effects. FUNDING:Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development.
10.1016/S1474-4422(19)30285-6
Development of educational system for paramedics specializing to dementia elderlies analyzed by artificial intelligence and its learning effects.
Honda Miwako,Une Saki,Gineste Yves,Nakazawa Atsushi
Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association
BACKGROUND:While the number of emergency transfer of dementia elderlies to acute care hospitals has being increasing, paramedics are facing challenges to perform their duties promptly due to difficult communication with patients. OBJECTIVES:To develop the standardized educational system for paramedics specializing to dementia elderlies with the use of artificial intelligence. DESIGN:Single arm, pre-post study. Participants are paramedics in a metropolitan area of Japan. EXPOSURE:The two sessions of standardized multimodal communication training program which contains lecture and workshop were provided twice, 1 month apart. The training consists three parts. 1: Mechanism and clinical manifestations of dementia, 2: Communication skills: face-to-face interaction; mutual gaze, geometric characteristics and duration of eye contact, verbal communication with phonetic elements, and touch interactions. 3: Interaction strategies with dementia elderlies in emergency situation. All participants performed the rescue simulation training before the training and 1 month after the completion of the training, which were video-recorded and analyzed by artificial intelligence (AI). The video was taken by wearable camera with eye-trackers (1 person camera) and fixed camera (3 person camera). The satisfaction survey of effectiveness on their work and the Jefferson Scale of Empathy for healthcare professionals were also taken. MAIN OUTCOMES:The primary outcome is the change of communication skills in physical position, distance, eye contact with patients, phonetic elements and touch. The system to analyze face-to-face communication; mutual gaze, geometric characteristics and duration of eye contact by AI was developed by our team. Other elements of communications were evaluated manually. Secondary outcome were satisfaction and the empathy to patients. RESULT:31 paramedics enrolled the study. Prior to the training, 88% had experienced any difficult condition taking care of dementia patients. The video analysis showed significant change of the interactive communication in the direction of approach, eye contacts and duration of mutual gaze. 96.7% considered the training was effective for their daily work and 97.5% of participants recommended this training to a colleague. The score of empathy scale showed no significant change. CONCLUSION:The educational system for paramedics specializing to dementia with the use of artificial intelligence is effective for their work.
10.1002/alz.051576
Physically Meaningful Surrogate Data for COPD.
IEEE open journal of engineering in medicine and biology
The rapidly increasing prevalence of debilitating breathing disorders, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), calls for a meaningful integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into respiratory healthcare. Deep learning techniques are "data hungry" whilst patient-based data is invariably expensive and time consuming to record. To this end, we introduce a novel COPD-simulator, a physical apparatus with an easy to replicate design which enables rapid and effective generation of a wide range of COPD-like data from healthy subjects, for enhanced training of deep learning frameworks. To ensure the faithfulness of our domain-aware COPD surrogates, the generated waveforms are examined through both flow waveforms and photoplethysmography (PPG) waveforms (as a proxy for intrathoracic pressure) in terms of duty cycle, sample entropy, FEV/FVC ratios and flow-volume loops. The proposed simulator operates on healthy subjects and is able to generate FEV/FVC obstruction ratios ranging from greater than 0.8 to less than 0.2, mirroring values that can observed in the full spectrum of real-world COPD. As a final stage of verification, a simple convolutional neural network is trained on surrogate data alone, and is used to accurately detect COPD in real-world patients. When training solely on surrogate data, and testing on real-world data, a comparison of true positive rate against false positive rate yields an area under the curve of 0.75, compared with 0.63 when training solely on real-world data.
10.1109/OJEMB.2024.3360688