Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41027677›Full record

SynthesisBMJ mental health2025

Effectiveness of just-in-time adaptive interventions for improving mental health and psychological well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Ulrike von Lützow, Nathalie Laura Neuendorf, Sebastian Scherr

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMJ mental health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
11citing 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

11 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Review
  6. Integrating Mental Health Into Surgical Care: A Qualitative Study of a Perioperative Mental Health Intervention.Annals of surgery open : perspectives of surgical history, education, and clinical approaches · 2026
    Article
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Article
  10. Review
  11. Review
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

3 authors.

Ulrike von LützowCenter for Interdisciplinary Health Research & Department of Media, Knowledge, and Communication, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany ulrike.luetzow@uni-bamberg.de.ORCID 0009-0002-2684-7819
Nathalie Laura NeuendorfCenter for Interdisciplinary Health Research & Department of Media, Knowledge, and Communication, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-5938-8578
Sebastian ScherrCenter for Interdisciplinary Health Research & Department of Media, Knowledge, and Communication, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany.ORCID 0000-0003-4730-1575

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

questionThe rising prevalence of mental health conditions and a global treatment gap demand new solutions that address symptoms and foster psychological well-being. Just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAIs) and ecological momentary interventions (EMIs) are emerging mobile health approaches, providing real-time, personalised support. However, the effectiveness of current JITAIs/EMIs and the longevity of effects remain uncertain. STUDY SELECTION AND ANALYSIS: Studies investigating the effectiveness of JITAIs/EMIs for depression, anxiety and indicators of psychological well-being, published between 2018 and May 2025, were eligible. Following the standards for reporting (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses; PRISMA) and quality assessment (Risk of Bias; RoB), a total of K=23 studies and N=2563 individuals (71.7% female) were included.

findingsJITAIs/EMIs showed a small between-group effect (g=0.15, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.26, p=0.003). Nine studies reported follow-up effects (mean follow-up time M=3.06 months, SD=2.21) with significant results at 1 and 3-6 months. Interventions shorter than 6 weeks yielded greater longevity of effects (g=0.71, 95% CI 0.18 to 1.24, p=0.008). Funnel plots and sensitivity analyses confirmed robustness of findings. Risk of bias was moderate to high for intervention adherence and missing outcome data.

conclusionsCurrently existing JITAIs and EMIs slightly improve mental health, particularly mental illness, with long-term effects up to 6 months. A clear definition of JITAIs and decision rules, research on long-term effects and careful selection of control conditions are needed.

Indexed as

AnxietyDepressionMental DisordersMental HealthTelemedicineHumansPsychological Well-BeingAnxiety DisordersDepressionEcological Momentary AssessmentMental Health

Identifiers

PMID41027677
PMCPMC12481328

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC
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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.