RESUMO
Video-based psychotherapy is a digital way to deliver psychotherapeutic treatment when traditional on-site psychotherapy cannot be provided due to structural barriers, such as those related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of this digital approach has proven to be both effective and accepted among therapists and patients. Legal frameworks for German therapists and recommendations for practical implementation are summarized in this article.
Assuntos
COVID-19 , Telemedicina , Humanos , Pandemias , Alemanha , PsicoterapiaRESUMO
A large number of mobile health applications claiming to target insomnia are available in commercial app stores. However, limited information on the quality of these mobile health applications exists. The present study aimed to systematically search the European Google Play and Apple App Store for mobile health applications targeting insomnia, and evaluate the quality, content, evidence base and potential therapeutic benefit. Eligible mobile health applications were evaluated by two independent reviewers using the Mobile Application Rating Scale-German, which ranges from 1 - inadequate to 5 - excellent. Of 2236 identified mobile health applications, 53 were included in this study. Most mobile health applications (68%) had a moderate overall quality. Concerning the four main subscales of the Mobile Application Rating Scale-German, functionality was rated highest (M = 4.01, SD = 0.52), followed by information quality (M = 3.49, SD = 0.72), aesthetics (M = 3.31, SD = 1.04) and engagement (M = 3.02, SD = 1.03). While scientific evidence was identified for 10 mobile health applications (19%), only one study employed a randomized controlled design. Fifty mobile health applications featured sleep hygiene/psychoeducation (94%), 27 cognitive therapy (51%), 26 relaxation methods (49%), 24 stimulus control (45%), 16 sleep restriction (30%) and 24 sleep diaries (45%). Mobile health applications may have the potential to improve the care of insomnia. Yet, data on the effectiveness of mobile health applications are scarce, and this study indicates a large variance in the quality of the mobile health applications. Thus, independent information platforms are needed to provide healthcare seekers and providers with reliable information on the quality and content of mobile health applications.
Assuntos
Terapia Cognitivo-Comportamental , Aplicativos Móveis , Distúrbios do Início e da Manutenção do Sono , Telemedicina , Humanos , Distúrbios do Início e da Manutenção do Sono/terapia , Terapia de RelaxamentoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Mobile health apps (MHAs) may offer a mean to overcome treatment barriers in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) mental health care. However, MHAs for BPD on the market lack transparency and quality assessment. METHODS: European app stores were systematically searched, and two independent trained reviewers extracted relevant MHAs. Employed methods and privacy and security details documentation of included MHAs were extracted. MHAs were then assessed and rated using the German version of the standardized Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS-G). Mean values and standard deviations of all subscales (engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information, and therapeutic gain) and correlations with user ratings were calculated. RESULTS: Of 2977 identified MHAs, 16 were included, showing average quality across the four main subscales (M = 3.25, SD = 0.68). Shortcomings were observed with regard to engagement (M = 2.87, SD = 0.99), potential therapeutic gain (M = 2.67, SD = 0.83), existing evidence base (25.0% of included MHAs were tested empirically), and documented privacy and security details. No significant correlations were found between user ratings and the overall total score of the MARS-G or MARS-G main subscales. CONCLUSIONS: Available MHAs for BPD vary in quality and evidence on their efficacy, effectiveness, and possible adverse events is scarce. More substantial efforts to ensure the quality of MHAs available for patients and a focus on transparency, particularly regarding privacy and security documentation, are necessary.
