Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026
'Boden Food Plate': Novel Interactive Web-based Method for the Assessment of Dietary Intake
Published on: September 18, 2018
Effectiveness of smartphone application-based self-management interventions in patients with type 2 diabetes: A
Qianyu He1, Xiaoyan Zhao1, Yarui Wang1
1School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Aims:
To synthesize evidences on smartphone application-based intervention and determine its effectiveness on glycaemic control, self-management behaviours, psychological well-being, quality of life and cardiometabolic risk factors.
Design:
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Data Sources:
Major English and Chinese electronic databases were searched from January 2008 to January 2021, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Google Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang and Sinomed.
Review Methods:
RCTs were screened and selected if they used smartphone applications to support patients in the self-management of diabetes. Data extraction and methodological assessment were performed by two reviewers independently. Meta-analysis was performed to pool the intervention effect on outcomes of interest using RevMan 5.3.
Results:
Across 19 included trials involving 2585 participants, smartphone application-based interventions were associated with a clinically and statistically significant reduction of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Beneficial effects were also observed in participants' behavioural performance, especially in medication adherence. Intervention effects on psychological status, quality of life and cardiometabolic risk factors were nonsignificant. Subgroup analysis showed interactive approach with medium frequency or flexible facilitator-patient interaction induced a larger effect on HbA1c reduction. Besides, patients with baseline HbA1c ≥9% benefited more than those with HbA1c <9% from the use of smartphone applications.
Conclusions:
Smartphone application-based diabetes self-management intervention could optimize patients' glycaemic control and enhance participants' self-management performance. Further endeavour is required to examine the long-term effects and cost-effectiveness of smartphone application-based intervention before promoting the adoption and dissemination of such intervention.
Impact:
This review supports the potential of smartphone application-based intervention as effective approach to optimize glycaemic control and promote self-management engagement among patients with type 2 diabetes. Suggestions for future research and practice are provided and discussed.
Related Concept Videos
01:36Carbohydrate Metabolism
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in the...
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
01:15Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...