Mobile health technology can prove useful in helping patients suffering from anxiety disorders, especially when applied in conjunction with traditional clinical care approaches, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.
The research report, "Effectiveness of mobile technologies delivering Ecological Momentary Interventions for stress and anxiety: a systematic review," states that mHealth tech built into Ecological Momentary Interventions (EMIs), which are health treatments providing support care during a patient's daily routine, are a promising approach to reducing clinician contact in treating anxiety conditions.
"There is also the potential for EMIs to improve outcomes when used as a stand-alone intervention, although a priori it might be anticipated that EMIs would be most effective when delivered as an adjunct to clinical care," states the report, authored by Brendan Loo Gee , Kathleen M. Griffiths and Amelia Gulliver at the National Institute for Mental Health Research, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University.
Helping to ease anxiety and stress disorders is one of many mental health efforts where mobile tools are being utilized. As FierceMobileHealthcare recently reported, the Syracuse VA Medical Center is investigating how an app can help veterans better self-manage post-traumatic stress disorder and if melding the app with clinician support can enhance self-management activity.
The Australian National University study notes that while EMIs may be effective for reducing stress, a scarcity of studies on stress illustrates the need for more research ito examine the effects of EMI in various stressful environments that may induce high levels of anxiety. The authors also state further research is required to determine if and how EMIs can capitalize on the smartphone app platform to boost delivery of particular therapeutic components of anxiety interventions.
For more information:
- read the research report