The small number of studies reported in this review tentatively indicate that such tools may have a positive impact on suicide-specific outcomes. In addition, 3 unpublished and recently completed trials also met criteria for inclusion in the review.Ĭonclusions: Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of stand-alone mHealth technology–based interventions in suicide prevention. None of the apps evaluated demonstrated the ability to significantly decrease suicidal ideation compared with a control condition. Results demonstrated some positive impacts for individuals at elevated risk of suicide or self-harm, including reductions in depression, psychological distress, and self-harm and increases in coping self-efficacy. Four published articles that reported on the effectiveness of the following mobile phone apps were included: iBobbly, Virtual Hope Box, BlueIce, and Therapeutic Evaluative Conditioning. Results: A total of 7 studies met criteria for inclusion. A narrative synthesis of the available research is presented here. Owing to the heterogeneity of outcomes found across studies, results were not amenable for pooled synthesis, and a meta-analysis was not performed. A total of 2 review authors independently extracted data and assessed study suitability, in accordance with the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool, on July 31, 2018. Studies were included if they measured at least one suicide outcome variable (ie, suicidal ideation, suicidal intent, nonsuicidal self-injurious behavior, and suicidal behavior). All published and unpublished randomized controlled trials (RCTs), pseudo-RCTs, and pre-post observational studies that evaluated the effectiveness of mHealth technology in suicide prevention delivered via mobile computing and communication technology were included. Methods: The following databases were searched: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library), MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and relevant sources of gray literature.

Objective: This review aimed to examine the effectiveness of currently available mobile health (mHealth) technology tools in reducing suicide-specific outcomes. The recent proliferation of publicly available mobile apps designed for suicide prevention underlines the need for robust evidence to promote safe practice. Mobile devices offer a potentially powerful medium to deliver evidence-based interventions with greater specificity to the individual when the intervention is needed. JMIR Bioinformatics and Biotechnology 16 articlesĮmail: Digital interventions are proposed as one way by which effective treatments for self-harm and suicidal ideation may be improved and their scalability enhanced.JMIR Biomedical Engineering 59 articles.JMIR Perioperative Medicine 65 articles.Journal of Participatory Medicine 69 articles.JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies 168 articles.JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting 224 articles.Interactive Journal of Medical Research 244 articles.JMIR Public Health and Surveillance 940 articles.Journal of Medical Internet Research 6775 articles.

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