Purpose: More than 14% of the population has a mood disorder, and more than 50% do not receive treatment. Information and communication technology (ICT) could improve health care. A systematic review was considered in order to know the programs that apply ICT in the management of depression and to assess their effectiveness.
Conclusion: There is insufficient scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of ICT use in the management of depression. However, there is a well-founded hypothesis that videoconference produces the same results as face-to-face treatment and that self-help Internet programs could improve symptoms.
Practice implications: More research is needed; nevertheless, when traditional care is not possible, telemedicine could be used.