An app to help combat depression should be trialled in the NHS, health officials have said.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has recommended that the online and mobile programme Deprexis should be given a two-year trial run in the health service.
It said that around 200 people in England should benefit from free access to the digital therapy.
After reviewing the programme, a panel of experts at Nice concluded that it could be an “effective alternative therapy” for adults with mild to moderate depression.
Nice said that during the trial patients using Deprexis will be guided by a therapist.
Patients can log on to the programme at any time to complete modules of cognitive behavioural therapy, avoiding the need to attend therapist appointments in person, Nice said.
Their therapist can see what part of the programme the patient is using.
They can also exchange messages with patients using a secure messaging system.