Health Technology Eases Anxiety in Patients With Chronic Conditions

A broad range of digital health technologies were effective for managing mental health issues in adults living with a chronic disease, according to an international meta-analysis published in Systemic Reviews. The aim of the study was to assess what types of digital health interventions were most effective in managing concomitant mental health and chronic diseases. At the start, the researchers convened a panel of knowledge users (clinicians, decision makers), lived experience experts (patients), review methodologists, and researchers to assist with the investigation. Most of the studies compared technology-based interventions to usual care (76%), and some compared 2 or more digital interventions (24%). Eight percent were based on cognitive behavioral therapy. the study found varying levels of effectiveness, the researchers emphasized that all technology-based interventions and levels of support were effective in managing mental health issues. In addition, digital technologies were more effective than in-person care for both depression and anxiety conditions, they noted.