Keywords
Mobile application
Mental health
Integrative medicine
How to Cite
Copyright © | All rights reserved.
The journal holds the exclusive copyright for the publication of this article under the terms of Brazilian law 9610/98.
Partial reproduction
The use of parts of the texts, figures and questionnaire of the article is free, being mandatory the citation of the authors and journal.
Total reproduction
It is expressly prohibited and must be authorized by the journal.
Abstract
Objective: To map strategies and methods that supported the development of mobile applications that guide the use of integrative and complementary practices in the field of mental health. Methods: Scoping review that adopted the acronym PCC: Participants — mental health patients; Concept — mobile application and Information and Communication Technology tools; Context — mental health and Integrative and Complementary Health Practices. The search was conducted in eight databases, from 2019 to 2024, including articles in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Fifteen studies were included, assessed for methodological quality, level of evidence, and equity aspects. Results: The selected studies addressed the use of applications with features such as symptom monitoring, digital therapeutic interventions, chatbots, and self-care support. There was a lack of studies directly guiding the use of PICS through mobile applications. Final considerations: Mobile technologies have the potential to promote mental health and encourage self-care. However, there are gaps in the literature regarding the specific use of PICS in applications, indicating the need for further studies.
References
ABD-ALRAZAQ AA, et al. Effectiveness and Safety of Using Chatbots to Improve Mental Health: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 2020; 22: 7.
AROMATARIS E e MUNN Z. JBI. Manual for evidence synthesis. Joanna Briggs Institute, 2020.
ASHFAQ A, et al. Utilization of Mobile Mental Health Services among Syrian Refugees and Other Vulnerable Arab Populations: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020; 17(4): 1295.
BONES E, et al. Experiences and Expectations of Information and Communication Technologies in Flexible Assertive Community Treatment Teams: Qualitative Study. JMIR Formative Research, 2023; 7.
BOUCHER EM, et al. Artificially intelligent chatbots in digital mental health interventions: a review. Expert Review of Medical Devices, 2021; 18(1): 37- 49.
CASP. 2018. Checklist: 10 questions to help you make sense of a qualitative research. Disponível em: https ://casp-uk.net/checklists/casp-qualitative-studies-checklist-fillable.pdf. Acessado em: 9 de setembro de 2024.
CONNOLLY SL, et al. Digital clinics and mobile technology implementation for mental health care. Current Psychiatry Reports, 2021; 23: 38.
DANIELI M, et al. A Conversational Artificial Intelligence Agent for a Mental Health Care App: Evaluation Study of Its Participatory Design. JMIR Form Res, 2021; 5(12): 30053.
DIEZ-CANSECO F, et al. Screening for Mental Disorders in Primary Care Settings Using a Mobile Health Application (JMIR Preprints, 2018). Journal of Medical Internet Research, 2018; 20(3): 75.
DRYDAKIS N. Mobile applications aiming to facilitate immigrants’ societal integration and overall level of integration, health and mental health. Does artificial intelligence enhance outcomes? SRN Electronic Journal, 2020; 56.
FORGEARINI BAO. Práticas alternativas e complementares promovendo saúde mental. SC. Dissertação (mestrado profissional) – Centro de Ciência da Saúde. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 2021; 45.
KNAPP AA, et al. Integration of digital tools into community mental health care settings that serve young people: Focus group study. JMIR Mental Health, 2021; 8: 8.
KOLY KN, et al. Exploring the potential of delivering mental health care services using digital technologies in Bangladesh: A qualitative analysis. Internet Interventions, 2022; 29: 100544.
KOZASA EH. A prática de meditação aplicada ao contexto da saúde coletiva, 2006; 3(10): 63-66.
LINO JCFS e DAVID HMSL. Práticas integrativas e complementares em saúde e tecnologias digitais: revisão integrativa da literatura. Revista de Saúde Digital e Tecnologias Educacionais, 2022; 7(1): 14–26.
MARCIANO L e SABOOR S. Reinventing mental health care in youth through mobile approaches: Current status and future steps. Frontiers in Psychology, 2023; 14: 1126015.
MILLER JE e POLSON D. Apps, Avatars, and Robots: The Future of Mental Healthcare. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 2019; 40(3): 208–214.
MURAD MH, et al. New evidence pyramid. Evid Based Med, 2016; 21(4): 125-7.
NG MM, et al. User engagement in mental health apps: A review of measurement, reporting, and validity. Psychiatric Services, 2019; 70(7): 538–544.
O'NEILL J, et al. Applying an equity lens to interventions: using PROGRESS ensures consideration of socially stratifying factors to illuminate inequities in health. J Clin Epidemiol, 2014; 67(1): 56-64.
PAGE MJ, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. International Journal of Surgery, 2021; 88: 105906.
PETERS M, et al. Scoping Reviews. In: AROMATARIS E e Munn Z. (orgs.). JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. JBI, 2020.
RODRIGUES JFC, et al. Aplicativos móveis para orientação de práticas integrativas e complementares: revisão de escopo. 2025; 14.
RODRIGUEZ-VILLA E, et al. Cross cultural and global uses of a digital mental health app: results of focus groups with clinicians, patients and family members in India and the United States. Global Mental Health, 2021; 8(30): 1–10.
SILVA SM e ROSA AR. O impacto da Covid-19 na saúde mental dos estudantes e o papel das instituições de ensino como fator de promoção e proteção. Revista Prâksis, 2021; 2: 189–206.
TKATCH R, et al. A Pilot Online Mindfulness Intervention to Decrease Caregiver Burden and Improve Psychological, 2017.
TRICCO AC, et al. PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and Explanation. Ann Intern Med, 2018; 169(7): 467-473.
UFF. SAÚDE MENTAL. 2022. Universidade Federal Fluminense. Pesquisadoras da UFF debatem depressão depois da pandemia. Disponível em: https ://www.uff.br/?q=noticias/13-06-2022/saude-mental-pesquisa doras-da-uff-debatem-depressao-depois-da-pandemia. Acessado em: 4 de agosto de 2025.
WHO. Mental health and COVID-19: early evidence of the pandemic’s impact: scientific brief. Geneva: WHO, 2022. Disponível em: https ://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-Sci_Brief-Mental_h ealth-2022. Acessado em: 4 de agosto de 2025.