Digital Mental Health Care for Veterans: An Overview of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Apps, Their Evidence Base, and Adoption Trends

이 페이지는 아래 학술 논문의 초록(Abstract) 전문을 제공합니다. 원문은 하단 링크에서 확인하세요.

◆ 논문 초록 (Abstract)

INTRODUCTION: Digital mental health interventions are increasingly used within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to support veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and stress-related concerns. With multiple VA-developed mental health applications now available, understanding their evidence base is essential for informing clinical use and implementation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A structured review of the empirical literature was conducted to examine VA mental health applications. Both authors searched and reviewed the literature, applied inclusion criteria, and identified studies reporting app efficacy, effectiveness, usability, or engagement. Five apps met criteria for inclusion: AIMS for Anger Management, COVID Coach, Mindfulness Coach, PTSD Coach, and PE Coach. RESULTS: Across studies, VA mental health apps were associated with reductions in symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as improvements in coping skills and stress management. PTSD Coach and Mindfulness Coach had the strongest evidence bases. Usability and acceptability were generally high, although engagement varied, with several studies reporting brief or declining use over time. Only 5 of the 9 VA-developed apps were represented in the empirical literature, indicating that evidence strength is uneven across the VA’s digital portfolio. CONCLUSIONS: VA mental health applications represent a promising and accessible extension of traditional mental health services for veterans. The evidence suggests that these tools can support symptom reduction and self-management, particularly when used alongside provider guidance. However, variability in study design, declining engagement, and limited evaluation of several apps highlight areas for further research. Continued development and rigorous evaluation of digital interventions will be essential to optimizing their contribution to veteran mental health care.

◆ 원문 정보
저자: Yu R, Haddock A
저널: Mil Med
연도: 2026
DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usag151

PubMed 원문 보기 →   DOI 바로가기 →

🔗 이 논문을 인용한 글

• 하루 5분 마음챙김 명상으로 스트레스 50% 줄이는 과학적 방법