The classification of mobile interventions for stress. The first number indicates whether the intervention had human support (1, yes; 0, none); The second number indicates whether the intervention had mobile technology based on the technique of behavior change (1, yes; 0, none). For example, 1–0 indicates that this type of intervention has human support but does not use mobile technology on the basis of the behavioral change technique. Credit: Nature Human behavior (2025). DOI: 10.1038 / S41562-025-02162-0
The stress levels felt by people living in many countries in the world, especially by those who live in urban areas, have increased exponentially in recent decades. This has led to the development of many technological tools designed to improve the mental health of users and cause stress relief.
Smartphone applications designed to reduce rumination and concern, promote a greater feeling of presence and help people make positive lifestyle changes to reduce the stress they feel could be very advantageous. Because they are easy to access and are generally free or more affordable than psychotherapy in person, stress relief practices on mobile and self-administered and stress reduction programs have become more and more popular.
While many people regularly use these applications, the extent to which they are effective in reducing stress and improving the quality of life of people has not yet been clearly elucidated. In addition, most previous studies evaluating their efficiency have focused on one or a few available applications, rather than comparing many different types of applications.
Researchers from the University of Beijing recently carried out a review study and a meta-analysis of the previous literature evaluating the effectiveness of mobile applications for stress management. Their article, published in Nature Human behaviorSlights light on the types of self-administered practices that seem to be the most beneficial and effective for the relief of stress.
“The growing prevalence of stress underlines the demand for effective and self-administered interventions in mobile mental health, but their efficiency and accessibility are not yet clear,” wrote Huanya Zhu, Qiang Chen and their colleagues in their article. “This systematic review and this meta-analysis aimed to classify the management interventions of self-administered mobile stress stress, to compare their efficiency and to examine their moderators.”
As part of their study, Zhu, Chen and their colleagues reviewed a wide basin of research articles evaluating the effectiveness of smartphones applications for the reduction of stress, which have all been published in renowned scientific journals. They found these articles by browsing various large and well -known scientific databases, notably Psycinfo, Pubmed, Web of Science, Medline, Bieu, Cinahl, Scopus and Psycarticles, from the date on which they were established until November 20, 2023.
“Eligible studies have been randomized controlled trials on psychological interventions with a reading committee, Internet-based and self-administered to reducing stress in healthy or sub-evening adults,” said Zhu, Chen and their colleagues.
“A total of 63 studies with 20,454 participants were included (68.18% women; average age of 39.14 years). Integrated expert information with important languages to develop a three -dimensional frame encompassing the theoretical basis, human support and mobile technology.
After having evaluated the quality of the 63 articles included in their examination study, the researchers collectively analyzed the results reported using Bayesian statistical techniques, well -known mathematical methods based on the Bayes theorem. This allowed them to compare the effectiveness of different mobile applications for the reduction of stress, while identifying the factors that could moderate their effectiveness.
“The framework classified and compared 19 mobile stress interventions, identifying key moderation factors for optimization,” wrote Zhu, Chen and their colleagues. “Stress management programs, problem solving therapy and mindfulness meditation ranked in the summit. There was no conclusive evidence that human support or mobile technology have considerably improved intervention results. Evidence is subject to a sexual imbalance and a risk of quality, while the limited statistical power of the meta-regression of mandates in prudence in prudence moderator. “
Overall, the results of this recent study suggest that certain stress -for -stress applications may be effective in reducing stress, especially for people who do not need urgent psychiatric care and cannot afford psychotherapy or other mental health services.
The types of applications that seemed to be the most effective were those rooted in a branch of cognitive behavioral therapy (TCC) known as problem-solving therapy (PST), stress management programs and mindfulness meditation practices.
The results of the meta-analysis led by Zhu, Chen and their colleagues could soon inspire the development of new mobile applications aimed at stimulating people’s well-being and helping them manage stress. In addition, it could shed light on the efforts to improve existing applications, by introducing new features according to the practices that the team has deemed the most beneficial.
More information:
Huanya Zhu et al, a systematic review and a meta-analysis of the Bayesian network on the efficiency and potential of mobile interventions for stress management, Nature Human behavior (2025). DOI: 10.1038 / S41562-025-02162-0
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