Efficacy of smartphone- and bibliotherapy-delivered multicomponent lifestyle medicine interventions for probable depression: A three-arm randomized controlled trial.

In 30 seconds

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of smartphone- and bibliotherapy-delivered lifestyle medicine interventions in 122 adults with probable depression. Both interventions significantly reduced depressive symptoms compared to a waitlist control group, with 78% of smartphone users and 55% of bibliotherapy users achieving clinically significant improvement at Week 9.

Key findings

• AG and BG showed significant reductions in depressive symptoms at Week 9, with effect sizes of d=0.89 and d=0.64, respectively.
• 78% of AG participants achieved clinically significant improvement, compared to 55% of BG and 19.5% of WLG.
• Both interventions improved overall lifestyle and physical activity, with effect sizes ranging from d=0.59 to d=0.91.
• AG showed additional benefits in perceived stress and health responsibility, while BG uniquely improved insomnia symptoms (d=0.83).

Why it matters

The findings suggest that lifestyle medicine interventions delivered via smartphone or bibliotherapy can effectively reduce depressive symptoms, offering alternative treatment options for clinicians managing patients with probable depression.