NICE has recommended eight digital therapies (DTx) for mental health disorders, continuing a drive by the health technology assessment (HTA) agency to review treatment options for patients that can relieve pressure on the NHS.
The eight DTx cover a range of depression and anxiety-related conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and body dysmorphia, and have the potential to help around 40,000 people in the UK, according to NICE.
One in six people report experiencing a common mental health problem, such as anxiety and depression, in any given week in England, according to NHS Digital.
The digital tools, which draw on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques, have been given conditional backing by NICE, while further evidence to support their use is gathered. They can only be used after a formal assessment by an NHS talking therapist.
