Christmann CA, Hoffmann A, Bleser G. (2017). Stress management apps with regard to emotion-focused coping and behavior change techniques: A content analysis. JMIR mHealth and uHealth. 5(2):e22. doi: 10.2196/mhealth.6471
Researchers reviewed 62 stress management applications (apps) available on the Google Play app market place to evaluate specific behavior change techniques (e.g. stress management, self-monitoring, seeking social support) used by these apps. Stress management (i.e. strategies to reduce stress and anxiety) was included as a behavior change technique, but was broken down into several strategies (e.g. listening to relaxing sounds or music, breathing, mindfulness meditation) that are more focused emotion than behavior. After identifying eligible apps (i.e. free stress management apps in English for the general public and do not require membership or a wearable) researchers downloaded the apps and explored the apps and their features. Each feature was classified based on the emotion-focused stress management or behavior change technique it utilized. On average, apps utilized 4.3 behavior change techniques and 2.8 emotion-focused stress management techniques. The number of behavior change techniques was correlated with the number of emotion-focused stress management strategies. The most frequently used behavior change techniques were providing strategies to reduce anxiety and stress (48), providing instructions for specific behaviors (33), and providing information about the benefits and consequences of specific behaviors (28). The most frequently used emotion-focused stress management strategies were relaxing sounds (30), instruction on controlled breathing (27), and instruction on mindfulness and meditation (21). Motivational interviewing, follow-up prompts, and behavioral contracts were not used in any of the apps.