Mobile App Shows Promise in Addressing Depression Among Rural Indian Women
NEW DELHI – A new pilot study indicates a mobile health application, designed for use within community self-help groups, is both feasible and acceptable for addressing depression among women in rural India, and demonstrates preliminary evidence of effectiveness. Teh findings, published today, offer a potential scalable solution to a critical mental health gap in underserved populations.
The Multiuser Interactive Health Response application (MITHRA) – built on the principles of behavioral activation – utilizes audio, video, and touchscreen technology to overcome barriers related to illiteracy and limited access to customary mental healthcare. Developed collaboratively with end-users,MITHRA is deployed on tablets within existing women’s self-help groups (shgs),community-based organizations common in India. This approach leverages established social networks to deliver accessible mental health support.
Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial, assigning six SHGs to either the MITHRA intervention or enhanced usual care (EUC), where participants received a single educational module on depression symptoms. Women in both groups completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) during SHG meetings, and were assigned modules within MITHRA based on their scores. the study focused on assessing feasibility,acceptability,and preliminary effectiveness.
Results showed high completion rates, with 96% of participants in the MITHRA group completing at least half of their assigned modules. While the study was not powered for definitive effectiveness conclusions,researchers observed statistically significant improvements in depressive symptoms (PHQ-9,P=.037) and functioning (World Health Organization Disability Assessment Scale, P=.005) at six months in the MITHRA group compared to the EUC group.
“MITHRA is feasible and acceptable for use in women’s SHGs,” the study concludes, recommending larger trials to further evaluate its effectiveness. The research highlights the potential of mobile technology to bridge the gap in mental healthcare access for vulnerable populations, particularly in resource-constrained settings.
Keywords: community-based; depression; mobile mental health; rural; women.