SynthesisJMIR mHealth and uHealth2020
Android and iPhone Mobile Apps for Psychosocial Wellness and Stress Management: Systematic Search in App Stores and Literature Review.
Synthesis in JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT05804877 (Efficacy of an Online Mindfulness-based Cognitive Skills Program on Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life in University Students), which is not on this map. Cited by 88 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Efficacy of an Online Mindfulness-based Cognitive Skills Program on Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life in University Students
Who cites it
88 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 189 citations in OpenAlex.
- Evaluating Characteristics and Quality of Mental Health Apps Available in App Stores for Indian Users: Systematic App Search and Review.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2025Pooled it
- Effectiveness of Different Online Intervention Modalities for Middle-Aged Adults with Overweight and Obesity: A 20-Year Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Journal of prevention (2022) · 2024Pooled it
- Design and development of a mobile-based self-care application for patients with depression and anxiety disorders.BMC medical informatics and decision making · 2023Pooled it
- Determination of Markers of Successful Implementation of Mental Health Apps for Young People: Systematic Review.Journal of medical Internet research · 2022Pooled it
- Effects of a Smartphone-Based Positive Reflection Diary on Work Engagement Among Japanese Workers: Randomized Controlled Trial.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2025Trial
- Evaluating a brief smartphone-based stress management intervention with heart rate biofeedback from built-in sensors in a three arm randomized controlled trial.Scientific reports · 2025Trial
- Development and Evaluation of a Mindfulness-Based Mobile Intervention for Perinatal Mental Health: Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Trial
- A Mobile App-Based Gratitude Intervention's Effect on Mental Well-Being in University Students: Randomized Controlled Trial.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2025Trial
- Acceptability, use and safety of the BlueIce self-harm prevention app: qualitative findings from the Beating Adolescent Self-Harm (BASH) randomised controlled trial.BMJ mental health · 2024Trial
- Selective Prevention of Depression in Workers Using a Smartphone App: Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of medical Internet research · 2023Trial
- Health Care Workers' Need for Headspace: Findings From a Multisite Definitive Randomized Controlled Trial of an Unguided Digital Mindfulness-Based Self-help App to Reduce Healthcare Worker Stress.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2022Trial
- Effects of Smartphone-Based Stress Management on Improving Work Engagement Among Nurses in Vietnam: Secondary Analysis of a Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of medical Internet research · 2021Trial
- Effectiveness of Smartphone-Based Mindfulness Training on Maternal Perinatal Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of medical Internet research · 2021Trial
- Economic Evaluation of a Digital Psychobehavioral Intervention for Chronic Inflammatory Skin Disease (MindMySkin): Protocol for a Trial-Based Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.JMIR research protocols · 2026Article
- Effectiveness and uptake of ROOM to grow: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.Internet interventions · 2026Article
- Digital mental health apps for young people in Europe: A systematic cross-country analysis.PLOS digital health · 2026Article
- Arabic Wellness Apps in the MENA Region and Saudi Arabia: Current Evidence and Systematic Evaluation.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Current Landscape of Mental Health Conversational Agents From a Trauma-Informed Care Lens: Scoping Review.JMIR mental health · 2026Article
- Feasibility of Internet-Based Mind-Body Training for Adults With Subjective Cognitive Decline: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.JMIR research protocols · 2026Article
- Evaluation of Wellby, a Cocreated Mobile App and Wearable to Support Stress Management and Overall Well-Being: Mixed Methods Acceptability and Usability Study.JMIR human factors · 2026Article
28 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundIn an oversaturated market of publicly available mobile apps for psychosocial self-care and stress management, health care providers, patients, and consumers interested in mental health-related apps may wonder which, if any, are efficacious. Readily available metrics for consumers include user popularity and media buzz rather than scientific evidence.
objectiveThis systematic review aimed to (1) examine the breadth of therapeutic contents and features of psychosocial wellness and stress management apps available to self-help seekers for public download and (2) determine which of these apps have original research support.
methodsFirst, we conducted a systematic review of publicly available apps on the iPhone App Store (Apple Inc) and Android Google Play (Google LLC) platforms using conventional self-help-seeking search terms related to wellness and stress. The results were limited to English-language apps available for free download. In total, 2 reviewers independently evaluated all apps and discussed the findings to reach 100% consensus regarding inclusion. Second, a literature review was conducted on the included apps to identify supporting studies with original data collection.
resultsWe screened 3287 apps and found 1009 psychosocial wellness and stress management apps. Content varied widely. The most common evidence-based strategy was mindfulness-meditation, followed by positive psychology and goal setting. Most apps were intended to be used as self-help interventions, with only 1.09% (11/1009) involving an electronic therapist and 1.88% (19/1009) designed as a supplement to in-person psychotherapy. Only 4.66% (47/1009) of apps targeted individuals with psychological disorders, and less than 1% of apps (6/1009, 0.59%) targeted individuals with other chronic illnesses. Approximately 2% (21/1009, 2.08%) were supported by original research publications, with a total of 25 efficacy studies and 10 feasibility studies. The Headspace mindfulness app had the most evidence, including 8 efficacy studies. Most other scientifically backed apps were supported by a single feasibility or efficacy study.
conclusionsOnly 2.08% (21/1009) of publicly available psychosocial wellness and stress management mobile apps discoverable to self-help seekers have published, peer-reviewed evidence of feasibility and/or efficacy. Clinicians and investigators may use these findings to help patients and families navigate the volume of emerging digital health interventions for stress management and wellness.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.