New research has revealed that apps installed on smartphones can be used to significantly reduce anxiety.

Published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, the study is the first ever meta-analysis of all published evidence on the effect of smartphone-based therapies on anxiety in 1,837 people. The research is a collaboration between The University of Manchester, Black Dog Institute, Harvard University and Western Sydney University.

It showed that overall, smartphone interventions reduced anxiety significantly more than control conditions – suggesting new digital therapies could be useful for managing the condition.

Smartphone apps, argue the team, may be best used for augmenting face-to-face therapy and other psychological treatments, rather than replacing standard care.

With psychologists seeing an increase in the number of people experiencing anxiety disorders, mental health services struggle to meet consumer demand.

But until now, the effectiveness of using apps to reduce anxiety symptoms and manage the condition has been heavily disputed as a potential solution to the problem.

Co-investigator Jennifer Nicholas, PhD Candidate at the Black Dog Institute, said: “Smartphones are ubiquitous in Australia, with approximately 79% of the adult population having ready access to one. At the same time, one in five Australians experience a mental illness in any year, with 14% of Australians living with anxiety disorders.

 

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