A narrative review of digital psychological interventions for older people experiencing difficulties with depression, anxiety or sleep

Background: This review examines the current literature on digital psychological interventions available for older people, who experience anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. Driven by national strategies prioritising digital psychologically informed care, there has been a marked growth in digital mental health resources. However, the majority of digital interventions are designed for, and tested in, general adult populations, thereby perpetuating inequalities in access and efficacy for older people. Method: A literature search was conducted in October 2024. The reference lists of three systematic reviews were utilised to identify 14 primary research studies. Results: While various digital interventions (mobile health applications and internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) have shown promise in improving anxiety, depression, and, to a lesser extent, sleep outcomes, research focusing exclusively on older people remains limited. Most existing systematic reviews set the lower age threshold at 50. Primary research involving adults over 60 was extracted to bridge this gap, though the evidence base remains small. Conclusions: In summary, while digital psychological interventions hold potential for supporting the mental health of older people, there is a clear need for more age-specific research and tailored resources to ensure equitable and effective care for this growing population group.