ArticleJMIR mHealth and uHealth2021
The Functionality of Mobile Apps for Anxiety: Systematic Search and Analysis of Engagement and Tailoring Features.
Article in JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers.
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Who cites it
14 citing papers in PubMed, 26 citations in OpenAlex.
- Efficacy of a Prescription-Based Mobile Digital Therapeutic as an Adjunct to Pharmacotherapy for the Acute Phase of Panic Disorder: Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Trial
- An App-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program Tailored for College Students: Randomized Controlled Trial.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2025Trial
- A Mobile Application Adjunct to Augment Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy for Adolescents with Social Anxiety: Feasibility and Acceptability Results from the Wiring Adolescents with Social Anxiety via Behavioral Interventions Pilot Trial.Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology · 2023Trial
- Functionality Review of Mobile Apps for the Tracking and Self-Management of Fatigue: Systematic Search in App Stores and Content Analysis.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2026Article
- Digital mental health apps for young people in Europe: A systematic cross-country analysis.PLOS digital health · 2026Article
- Application of user profiling in mental health management: a scoping review.BMC psychology · 2025Article
- mHealth Applications for Childhood Anxiety Disorders: Current Landscape, Challenges, and Future Directions.Current psychiatry reports · 2025Review
- Approaches to Tailoring Between-Session Mental Health Therapy Activities.Proceedings of the SIGCHI conference on human factors in computing systems. CHI Conference · 2024Article
- Views on the Functionality and Use of the PeerConnect App Among Public Safety Personnel: Qualitative Analysis.JMIR formative research · 2023Article
- Examining young adults daily perspectives on usage of anxiety apps: A user study.PLOS digital health · 2023Article
- Understanding users' perspectives on mobile apps for anxiety management.Frontiers in digital health · 2022Article
- Views on the usability and usefulness of the PeerConnect app among Ontario public safety professionals.Digital healthArticle
- Arabic Mental Health Apps: A Narrative Review of Therapeutic and Engagement Features.Saudi journal of medicine & medical sciencesArticle
- Usable Data Visualization for Digital Biomarkers: An Analysis of Usability, Data Sharing, and Clinician Contact.Digital biomarkersArticle
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors at 3 institutions in 3 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundA range of mobile apps for anxiety have been developed in response to the high prevalence of anxiety disorders. Although the number of publicly available apps for anxiety is increasing, attrition rates among mobile apps are high. These apps must be engaging and relevant to end users to be effective; thus, engagement features and the ability to tailor delivery to the needs of individual users are key. However, our understanding of the functionality of these apps concerning engagement and tailoring features is limited.
objectiveThe aim of this study is to review how cognitive behavioral elements are delivered by anxiety apps and their functionalities to support user engagement and tailoring based on user needs.
methodsA systematic search for anxiety apps described as being based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was conducted on Android and iPhone marketplaces. Apps were included if they mentioned the use of CBT for anxiety-related disorders. We identified 597 apps, of which 36 met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed through direct use.
resultsCognitive behavioral apps for anxiety incorporate a variety of functionalities, offer several engagement features, and integrate low-intensity CBT exercises. However, the provision of features to support engagement is highly uneven, and support is provided only for low-intensity CBT treatment. Cognitive behavioral elements combine various modalities to deliver intervention content and support the interactive delivery of these elements. Options for personalization are limited and restricted to goal selection upon beginning use or based on self-monitoring entries. Apps do not appear to provide individualized content to users based on their input.
conclusionsEngagement and tailoring features can be significantly expanded in existing apps, which make limited use of social features and clinical support and do not use sophisticated features such as personalization based on sensor data. To guide the evolution of these interventions, further research is needed to explore the effectiveness of different types of engagement features and approaches to tailoring therapeutic content.
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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.