Supporting Mental Health with Apps: A Systematic Review of Potential and Quality of Implemented Behavior Change Techniques in Mobile Health Applications.

ABSTRACT: The rapid digitalization of healthcare has led to the widespread availability of mobile health (mHealth) applications, including those aimed at mental health and well-being. The present study followed the PRISMA guidelines and systematically reviewed English and/or German mental health apps available in the Google Play Store to evaluate their functional quality and behavior-change potential. It utilized the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) to assess app quality, including engagement, functionality, esthetics, and information quality, and the App Behavior Change Scale (ABACUS) to evaluate the potential for behavior change by inclusion of behavior change techniques (BCTs). A total of 77 apps were reviewed, with findings indicating an average functional quality and moderate behavior-change pote

SUBMITTER: Leistner D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12840162 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature