title: Mobile Device-Based Applications for Childhood Anxiety Disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Given that childhood anxiety disorders are common and frequently undertreated, novel treatment platforms are needed. The current article explores the potential for mobile device-based (m-health) applications, to expand access to evidence-based treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article reviews the relevant literature regarding barriers to disseminating evidence-based treatment, the potential benefits of the m-health platform, standards for evaluating m-health interventions, and currently available applications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although a large number of m-health applications for anxiety are available, the vast majority of them are inconsistent with therapy protocols supported by the child anxiety treatment literature. The relatively few m-health applications based on evidence-based practice have not yet been examined empirically.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Realizing the potential of m-health for child anxiety will require addressing the uncertainty around the necessary and sufficient components of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), as well as the common challenges associated with delivering interventions via information and communication technology. Mayo Clinic Anxiety Coach is an m-health application designed by the author and colleagues to be consistent with exposure-based CBT and principles for effective intervention delivery via information and communication technology. Recommendations for identifying, using, and developing m-health applications for childhood anxiety disorders are presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic , Rochester, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Stephen P H
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Whiteside
mesh_terms: D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D063731:Mobile Applications