Mobile therapy: An overview of mobile device-assisted psychological therapy and prevention of mental health problems

Résumé

This chapter has focuses on 25 publications that investigated the benefit of mobile therapy (mTherapy) in the prevention and treatment of mild mental health problems; suicidal behavior; and various psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and phobias. Studies of apps or text messages used to track behavior and mood are most rigorous, suggesting that tracking apps may be beneficial. Mobile narratives used for relaxation or exposure therapy may also assist in decreasing anxiety and phobias. There are inadequate data at this stage to support recommending mCBT apps, phone calls, or therapeutic games for the treatment of patients with psychiatric disorders; however, these innovative approaches are still in their infancy and may improve with time. Overall, more research is needed in this field before we can draw meaningful conclusions about the effects of mTherapy on mental health problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved) PRÉVENTION THÉRAPIE TÉLÉPHONE SANTÉ-MENTALE