Digital Application Alleviates Panic Symptoms, Yet Fails to Match the Intimacy of In-Person Therapy

In a groundbreaking study published in Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice (2025), researchers compared the effectiveness of a smartphone-based program to face-to-face cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for panic-related disorders. The study, conducted on two randomized controlled trials in Germany, offers valuable insights into the role of self-help apps in mental health treatment.

The study found that while the app did help users reduce panic and avoidance behaviors, it was less effective than in-person therapy. Nearly half (47%) of the therapy group showed clinically reliable improvement, compared with only 13% in the app group.

Both interventions covered psychoeducation, interoceptive exercises, and real-life exposure tasks. Adherence to the app-completing lessons, tracking symptoms, and practicing exposure was comparable to homework compliance in the therapy setting.

Despite limitations such as differences in participant characteristics, study design, group sizes, and medication usage, the study offers insights into the effectiveness of self-help apps. Researchers suggest that digital tools may be best suited for use in a stepped-care model, where they help individuals while they wait for therapy or when full clinical care is not immediately accessible.

The study's message is clear: self-help apps can play an important role in easing symptoms and expanding access, but they are most effective as supplements, not substitutes, for professional therapy. The authors argue that future research should examine whether blending therapist support with digital tools can close the gap between app-based and in-person outcomes.

Another study, led by the University of Minnesota in 2025, demonstrated improved cognitive performance using AI-driven adaptive stimulation combined with individual brain training. Participants using the app still experienced meaningful symptom relief without therapist involvement. However, the app group showed a slightly smaller effect size (d = 1.11) compared to the therapy group (d = 1.34).

In conclusion, while mental health apps show promise in treating panic-related disorders, they should not be seen as direct replacements for therapy. They can help keep people engaged, a common challenge in online mental health programs, but the human touch and personalised approach of in-person therapy remain crucial for many individuals.

Digital Application Alleviates Panic Symptoms, Yet Fails to Match the Intimacy of In-Person Therapy