Mobile applications for the management of chronic physical conditions: a systematic review

Chronic physical conditions (CPC) decrease the quality of life of millions of people. In the absence of curative treatments, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits is one of the main pillars in their clinical management. Mobile-based interventions may help patients take care of their health and follow medical recommendations. The purpose of this review is to summarise the latest evidence about mobile telephone applications (apps) for the management of CPC.

We performed a systematic search of the PubMed and EMBASE databases to identify articles that explored apps for the management of CPC, testing the apps empirically and providing clear outputs on effectiveness and/or feasibility. A total of 3528 articles were identified in the initial search. Following screening and selection process, 20 articles were included in the final review.

Mobile apps for CPC are very heterogeneous. The condition with the greater number of apps available was diabetes, followed by cardiovascular diseases. Results of feasibility were generally positive, with high rates of study completion and user engagement. Some studies used incentives, monetary of otherwise. Some of the apps have been tested in randomised controlled trials showing effectiveness in improving symptoms and/or controlling analytical parameters.

Mobile apps are promising tools for the management of CPC. Some apps have been sufficiently tested to propose their implementation in clinical practice. However, several barriers exist that can slow down the routine use of new technologies in healthcare settings.