ABSTRACT

Objective : This study systematically reviewed mobile app-based mental health interventions in terms of target populations, types, and technical components to provide therapeutic evidence for clinical and community settings.Methods : PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were searched for articles published between January 2020 and July 2025. The search terms included keywords related to “mobile apps” (e.g., “mHealth” AND “smartphone apps”) AND “mental health” (e.g., “depression,” “anxiety,” AND “well-being”). Of the 2,323 articles, 17 were selected for review.Results : All 17 selected studies were randomized controlled trials. Participants ranged from adults to specific risk groups. The intervention duration was typically four to six weeks. Cognitive behavioral therapy was the most frequent type (n = 10), followed by positive psychology (n = 3). The technical components include self-monitoring, gamification, and chatbots. These interventions resulted in significant improvements in depression, anxiety, well-being, and quality of life.Conclusion : This study provides significant insights into the effectiveness, target populations, theoretical foundations, and technical components of mobile app-based interventions, and suggests directions for the development and design of evidence-based interventions. Furthermore, these findings are expected to serve as foundational data for the advancement of mobile app-based mental health interventions and generalization of their clinical effectiveness.