Psychiatric News (10/10) reported a study found that a “self-help intervention delivered through a smartphone app effectively addressed depressive symptoms in patients with intellectual disabilities.” The free Happy app, “written in an easy-to-read format and incorporating colorful illustrations and audio features, aims to reduce depressive symptoms and improve self-esteem in individuals with intellectual disabilities though short exercises.” For the study, “researchers recruited 99 participants who were randomly assigned either to use the Happy app for four weeks or to a control group.” Compared with the control group, app users “showed reduced depressive symptoms, improved quality of life, and stabilized self-esteem.” Researchers noted that “among the app group, average GDS-LD scores dropped from 7.86 at baseline to 5.72 four weeks later,” while average GDS-LD scores in the control group “rose from 9.61 to 10.27 four weeks later.” In addition, “more than 90% of participants in the app group used it at least one to two times per week, and 28% used it five to seven times per week.” The study was published in JAMA Network Open.
Related Links:
— “Self-Help App Reduced Depressive Symptoms in People With Intellectual Disabilities, Psychiatric News , October 10, 2025