Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 1 — Meta-analysis / systematic reviewPeer-reviewed

Digital mental health interventions for anxiety and depressive symptoms in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Ilaria Riboldi, Daniele Cavaleri, Angela Calabrese, Chiara Alessandra Capogrosso, Susanna Piacenti, Francesco Bartoli, Cristina Crocamo, Giuseppe Carrà

Revista de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental · 2022

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Summary

This systematic review of randomised controlled trials examines the effectiveness and reach of digital mental health interventions for anxiety and depression among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The work addresses a critical gap created by disruption to campus-based mental health services and aims to characterise scalable, technology-enabled support models. The findings contribute to evidence on sustainable mental health strategies for student populations during periods of public health disruption.

Regional applicability

The study's applicability to United Kingdom university settings depends on the geographic distribution of included trials; the methodology and findings are relevant to UK higher education mental health policy and practice, particularly in informing pandemic-resilient mental health service provision for students.

Key measures

Efficacy of digital mental health interventions for anxiety and depression symptoms; accessibility of technology-based mental health support during public health emergencies

Outcomes reported

The systematic review synthesised evidence from randomised controlled trials evaluating the efficacy and accessibility of digital and remote mental health interventions for anxiety and depressive symptoms in university student populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Theme
Policy, governance & rights
Subject
Out of scope / non-food
Study type
Systematic Review
Study design
Systematic review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
International
System type
Human clinical
DOI
10.1016/j.rpsm.2022.04.005
Catalogue ID
SNmpyz66h7-7zw7ej

Topic tags

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