Effectiveness of Mobile-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Depression and Anxiety in Children and Young People:...

Mobile-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has emerged as a promising digital intervention for depression and anxiety in children and young people. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of mobile-based CBT for this population. We conducted a systematic search across six electronic databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of mobile-based CBT interventions for children and young people (aged 5-25 years) with anxiety or depression symptoms. The primary outcomes were changes in anxiety and depression symptoms. Nine RCTs (N = 2479 participants) were included. Compared with control conditions, seven of eight studies (87.5%) examining depression outcomes demonstrated significant reductions in depression symptoms. However, evidence for anxiety symptoms reduction was limited, with only two of six studies (33.3%) showing significant effects. The feasibility of mobile-based CBT apps was moderate to high. Mobile-delivered CBT demonstrates promising effectiveness for treating depressive symptoms in children and young people, though evidence for anxiety treatment remains limited. These accessible interventions may help address current gaps in mental health service delivery for children and young people, particularly in resource-constrained settings.