With the National Health Service (NHS) reeling from budgetary constraints, the government agency has turned to mobile apps to provide people in the United Kingdom with support needed for their mental health issues.
These interactive online based treatments are starting to become more and more popular and accessible as Britons increase their use of their smartphones and tablets in their daily routines.
However, a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Liverpool and the Liverpool Psychological Therapies Unit Community Interest Company challenges the efficacy of the NHS's practice of delivering mental health treatment through apps.
Researchers Simon Leigh and Steve Flatt assert that the National Health Service's claim that the mental health apps is 85 percent effective at managing conditions is not supported by evidence.
Despite this, the scientists warn that the NHS's approval of such depression apps could lead to patients being falsely reassured of their conditions.
Leigh and Flatt said that until such time there is enough evidence to prove the clinical efficacy of these mobile apps and properly evaluated, the NHS should remove them from its apps library.
In their study, featured in the journal Evidence Based Mental Health, the researchers listed several mobile apps designed to provide users with treatment for anxiety and depression.
Some of the apps the researchers listed include an app that helps people address their emotions called Hands Up Therapy; an app that encourages people to practice meditation to reduce their stress levels called Mindfulness; and an app that guides people to record their activities, be mindful and self-reflect called Happy Healthy.
They discovered that out of the 27 depression apps featured in the NHS library, only four of them are supported by scientific evidence that prove their effectiveness. These apps were Big White Wall, Workguru, Moodscope and Happy Healthy.
"In order to ensure that apps don't do more harm than good, it is important that those presently recommended by the NHS apps library that either fail to demonstrate the evidence underlying the methodological approach taken, or evidence of effectiveness in use, are removed," the researchers said.
Leigh and Flatt said that one in 10 patients in need of mental health care are forced to wait for more than a year before they receive proper treatment, while one in two patients have to wait for more than three months.
They pointed out that since many mental health patients experience suicidal tendencies, it is very important that they receive proper help and treatment immediately.
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