The mobile phone can help improve mental health, according to a Japanese study
New mobile application It can provide people with the skills needed to overcome depression at reduced levels, according to a new study indicating that these devices are often blamed for the poor mental health of the population, They can also be part of the solution.
It is estimated that 11 % of the population suffer Sub -depressionThat is, the criteria that do not fulfill the criteria for great depression, but this can seriously affect a person’s well. Behavioral cognitive therapy (TCC), which focuses on helping people change and deal with unhealthy ideas and behaviors, is the most appropriate psychological form to face these stages as the drug is not necessary yet. In many cases, this is equal or more effective.
However, the high demand for psychologists makes the demand for mental health care go beyond to submit it. The new study, Posted in the Journal of Nature MedicineProve whether the CTC mobile app may be sufficient to help fill this void.
The application focused on developing Five goals TCC key: Make people perform Activities To improve your mood, Transfer negative thoughts That lies behind the feelings of depression, Improving your ability to solve problemsHelp them Express without harming feelings From others and practice techniques to ensure this They sleep enough.
“The TCC is very effective, but its application widely has always been a challenge,” says Tosyauki Furukawa, the lead author of the study and professor at Tokyo University. “Our goal was to provide these skills to anyone and anywhere.”
For the experience, it was almost requested 4000 Japanese people With sub -depression use the app. Those who used it managed to reach different groups of TCC technologies, with a period ranging from six to ten weeks. This group had a better mental health at a later time, with low depression, anxiety and insomnia levels. In addition, the results were preserved for six months when the study ended.
Tests on whether TCC adheres to the “applications” can improve mental health. In another analysis It has collected up to 24 similar studies, and the researchers concluded that short telephone interventions can help reduce the symptoms of mental disorders. But in another experience Funded by the European UnionThese tools did not improve the well of people, perhaps because they focused on a group of low university students without a history of severe depression.
In the new study, some TCC techniques were more effective than others for some disorders. For example, The elements were to improve the mood and sleeping the train in particular To stop anxiety, improve sleep and enhance positive mental well in general. Instead, the tools to correct negative ideas were not effective.
Researchers are now preparing a longer experience Focus on the specific mental health problems for each person. “We can use this knowledge to customize and improve management skills for each individual to suit their needs and characteristics,” says Furukawa. “This opens the door optimal in the long run.”
