Effectiveness of online and mobile telephone applications (‘apps’) for the self-management of suicidal ideation and self-harm: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract Background Online and mobile telephone applications (‘apps’) have the potential to improve the scalability of effective interventions for suicidal ideation and self-harm. The aim of this review was therefore to investigate the effectiveness of digital interventions for the self-management o...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2017-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-017-1458-0 |
| _version_ | 1828771249927487488 |
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| author | Katrina Witt Matthew J. Spittal Gregory Carter Jane Pirkis Sarah Hetrick Dianne Currier Jo Robinson Allison Milner |
| author_facet | Katrina Witt Matthew J. Spittal Gregory Carter Jane Pirkis Sarah Hetrick Dianne Currier Jo Robinson Allison Milner |
| author_sort | Katrina Witt |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Online and mobile telephone applications (‘apps’) have the potential to improve the scalability of effective interventions for suicidal ideation and self-harm. The aim of this review was therefore to investigate the effectiveness of digital interventions for the self-management of suicidal ideation or self-harm. Methods Seven databases (Applied Science & Technology; CENTRAL; CRESP; Embase; Global Health; PsycARTICLES; PsycINFO; Medline) were searched to 31 March, 2017. Studies that examined the effectiveness of digital interventions for suicidal ideation and/or self-harm, or which reported outcome data for suicidal ideation and/or self-harm, within a randomised controlled trial (RCT), pseudo-RCT, or observational pre-test/post-test design were included in the review. Results Fourteen non-overlapping studies were included, reporting data from a total of 3,356 participants. Overall, digital interventions were associated with reductions for suicidal ideation scores at post-intervention. There was no evidence of a treatment effect for self-harm or attempted suicide. Conclusions Most studies were biased in relation to at least one aspect of study design, and particularly the domains of participant, clinical personnel, and outcome assessor blinding. Performance and detection bias therefore cannot be ruled out. Digital interventions for suicidal ideation and self-harm may be more effective than waitlist control. It is unclear whether these reductions would be clinically meaningful at present. Further evidence, particularly with regards to the potential mechanisms of action of these interventions, as well as safety, is required before these interventions could recommended. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T14:21:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-24010ffe4ea74a81bc423d13337851c4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-244X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T14:21:52Z |
| publishDate | 2017-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-24010ffe4ea74a81bc423d13337851c42022-12-22T01:02:52ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2017-08-0117111810.1186/s12888-017-1458-0Effectiveness of online and mobile telephone applications (‘apps’) for the self-management of suicidal ideation and self-harm: a systematic review and meta-analysisKatrina Witt0Matthew J. Spittal1Gregory Carter2Jane Pirkis3Sarah Hetrick4Dianne Currier5Jo Robinson6Allison Milner7Population Health, Turning Point, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash UniversityMelbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of MelbourneCentre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of NewcastleMelbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of MelbourneOrygen, the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health and the Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of MelbourneMelbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of MelbourneOrygen, the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health and the Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of MelbourneCentre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of MelbourneAbstract Background Online and mobile telephone applications (‘apps’) have the potential to improve the scalability of effective interventions for suicidal ideation and self-harm. The aim of this review was therefore to investigate the effectiveness of digital interventions for the self-management of suicidal ideation or self-harm. Methods Seven databases (Applied Science & Technology; CENTRAL; CRESP; Embase; Global Health; PsycARTICLES; PsycINFO; Medline) were searched to 31 March, 2017. Studies that examined the effectiveness of digital interventions for suicidal ideation and/or self-harm, or which reported outcome data for suicidal ideation and/or self-harm, within a randomised controlled trial (RCT), pseudo-RCT, or observational pre-test/post-test design were included in the review. Results Fourteen non-overlapping studies were included, reporting data from a total of 3,356 participants. Overall, digital interventions were associated with reductions for suicidal ideation scores at post-intervention. There was no evidence of a treatment effect for self-harm or attempted suicide. Conclusions Most studies were biased in relation to at least one aspect of study design, and particularly the domains of participant, clinical personnel, and outcome assessor blinding. Performance and detection bias therefore cannot be ruled out. Digital interventions for suicidal ideation and self-harm may be more effective than waitlist control. It is unclear whether these reductions would be clinically meaningful at present. Further evidence, particularly with regards to the potential mechanisms of action of these interventions, as well as safety, is required before these interventions could recommended.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-017-1458-0DigitalApplicationMobile telephoneSuicide ideationSelf-harmSuicide |
| spellingShingle | Katrina Witt Matthew J. Spittal Gregory Carter Jane Pirkis Sarah Hetrick Dianne Currier Jo Robinson Allison Milner Effectiveness of online and mobile telephone applications (‘apps’) for the self-management of suicidal ideation and self-harm: a systematic review and meta-analysis BMC Psychiatry Digital Application Mobile telephone Suicide ideation Self-harm Suicide |
| title | Effectiveness of online and mobile telephone applications (‘apps’) for the self-management of suicidal ideation and self-harm: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | Effectiveness of online and mobile telephone applications (‘apps’) for the self-management of suicidal ideation and self-harm: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Effectiveness of online and mobile telephone applications (‘apps’) for the self-management of suicidal ideation and self-harm: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effectiveness of online and mobile telephone applications (‘apps’) for the self-management of suicidal ideation and self-harm: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | Effectiveness of online and mobile telephone applications (‘apps’) for the self-management of suicidal ideation and self-harm: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | effectiveness of online and mobile telephone applications apps for the self management of suicidal ideation and self harm a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | Digital Application Mobile telephone Suicide ideation Self-harm Suicide |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-017-1458-0 |
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