@article{ref1,
title="The emergence of digital mental health in low-income and middle-income countries: a  review of recent advances and implications for the treatment and prevention of  mental disorders",
journal="Journal of psychiatric research",
year="2020",
author="Carter, Helena and Araya, Ricardo and Anjur, Kavya and Deng, Davy and Naslund, John A.",
volume="133",
number="",
pages="223-246",
abstract="In low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), emerging digital mental health  interventions should be accompanied by regular and comprehensive assessment of  available scientific evidence. This review aims to support efforts to monitor  progress in digital mental health research, ensuring new evidence can guide  researchers, clinicians, policymakers and program managers positioned to adopt and  implement these digitally-enabled treatments. In accordance with PRISMA guidelines,  an electronic database search from 2016 to 2020 yielded 37 digital intervention  studies for detection, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and/or management of a  broad range of mental disorders in 13 LMICs. This date range was selected to update  previous reviews. Most studies involved online interventions and many reported  feasibility and acceptability, reflected by participant satisfaction or program  adherence. About half the studies (N = 23) reported clinical benefits based on  changes in mental health. For depression and mood disorders, some digital  interventions showed improvements in depressive symptoms, quality of life, treatment  adherence, and recovery. However, sample sizes were small and studies focused  primarily on adults. Further limiting generalizability was the lack of consistency  in clinical assessment and measurement tools between studies. No studies reported  worsening symptoms, negative acceptability or dissatisfaction with digital  interventions, suggesting possible publication bias. While digital interventions  show promise, it remains difficult to conclude that digital interventions are  effective from these studies, as it is prudent to exercise caution before drawing  conclusions about clinical effectiveness. This review reflects continued growth in  digital mental health research in LMICs and further highlights the need for rigorous  evaluation of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0022-3956",
doi="10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.12.016",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.12.016"
}