Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40804544›Full record

ReviewDer Nervenarzt2025

[Digital health applications for depressive disorders in Germany : A narrative review of the evidence and integration into treatment].

Jakob Kaminski, Felix Machleid, Caspar Wiegmann, Jan Philipp Klein, Orestis Rakitzis, Raoul Haaf, Stefanie Schreiter, Maximilian Preiß, Lukas Pezawas, Ingrid Titzler

Abstract readEnglish AbstractReview
In one paragraph

Review in Der Nervenarzt, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from 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.

2 · The registry

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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Jakob KaminskiDepartment of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland. jakob.kaminski@charite.de.
Felix MachleidDepartment of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
Caspar WiegmannClinics for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinics at the Theodor-Wenzel-Werk, Berlin, Deutschland.
Jan Philipp KleinKliniken für Psychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Universität zu Lübeck, Lübeck, Deutschland.
Orestis RakitzisDepartment of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
Raoul HaafDepartment of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
Stefanie SchreiterDepartment of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
Maximilian PreißDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Österreich.
Lukas PezawasDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Österreich.
Ingrid TitzlerDepartment of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Deutschland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDigital technologies open up new opportunities in the treatment of mental health disorders. Internet-based and mobile telephone-based interventions (IMIs), in particular, have proven to be effective, cost-efficient and accessible approaches to improving the care of people with mental disorders. In Germany digital health applications (DiGAs) that are reimbursed by all public health insurances are gaining increasing importance in routine clinical practice.

objectiveThis article provides a narrative review of the evidence and challenges related to DiGAs for depression in the German healthcare system. The approved DiGAs are presented and key studies, developments and perspectives for future research and care concepts are discussed. MATERIAL AND

methodsThis study is based on a narrative review of the relevant literature. The focus is on evidence-based DiGAs approved by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) for the treatment of depression and their integration into routine care as well as acceptance by patients and clinicians.

resultsInternet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) in particular, demonstrate a small to medium effect strength for depression, comparable to face-to-face therapy (Hedge's g = 0.43). Guided and blended care approaches appear to provide advantages with respect to the evidence and care; however, the utilization of DiGAs remains low, considering the large number of affected individuals, which is attributable to factors, such as limited awareness, complex access routes and prescription processes and data privacy concerns.

conclusionDespite promising evidence, the integration of DiGAs into existing healthcare systems remains challenging. Future research efforts should focus on the long-term effectiveness, personalization of digital solutions and hybrid care models to enhance acceptance and utilization.

Indexed as

Cognitive Behavioral TherapyDepressive DisorderMobile ApplicationsTelemedicineDigital HealthEvidence-Based MedicineGermanyHumansInternetAcceptanceCognitive behavioral therapyEvidenceHybrid careInternet-based interventions

Identifiers

PMID40804544
PMCPMC12411576

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.