Exploring the use of mobile apps for self-management of mental health treatment: scoping review

Abstract

Objective: to map the scientific literature produced on mobile applications for self-management of mental health treatment. Method: scoping review conducted in five databases in Portuguese, English or Spanish in November 2020 with the descriptors mental health, mental illness, mental disorder, psychiatric illness, mobile applications, app, self care, self management, and self monitoring. Results: 46 articles were found, mostly related to development, effectiveness, user perception or search for apps in specialized stores and focused on self-monitoring of mood (13%) or management of mental illness in general (23.9%). Conclusion: the studies evidenced variety and effectiveness of mobile apps for different mental disorders. The construction of new apps for self-management in MS should be supported by evidence, with public participation and with representative samples that, in fact, portray the expectations and motivations of the user for the use of these technologies in self-management of their treatment.

Keywords

• saúde mental
• aplicativos móveis
• autogestão
• smartphone
• revisão