scholarly journals FRI0605 The development process of mobile health applications for self-management in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases is heterogeneous and often incomplete: results of a systematic literature review

Author(s):  
A. Najm ◽  
E. Nikiphorou ◽  
L. Gossec ◽  
F. Berenbaum
RMD Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. e001014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurélie Najm ◽  
Elena Nikiphorou ◽  
Marie Kostine ◽  
Christophe Richez ◽  
John D Pauling ◽  
...  

BackgroundMobile health applications (apps) are available to enable people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) to better self-manage their health. However, guidance on the development and evaluation of such apps is lacking.ObjectivesThe objective of this EULAR task force was to establish points to consider (PtC) for the development, evaluation and implementation of apps for self-management of RMDs.MethodsA systematic literature review of app content and development strategies was conducted, followed by patient focus group and an online survey. Based on this information and along with task force expert opinion, PtC were formulated in a face-to-face meeting by a multidisciplinary task force panel of experts, including two patient research partners. The level of agreement among the panel in regard to each PtC was established by anonymous online voting.ResultsThree overarching principles and 10 PtC were formulated. Three PtC are related to patient safety, considered as a critical issue by the panel. Three are related to relevance of the content and functionalities. The requirement for transparency around app development and funding sources, along with involvement of relevant health professionals, were also raised. Ease of app access across ages and abilities was highlighted, in addition to considering the cost benefit of apps from the outset. The level of agreement was from 8.8 to 9.9 out of 10.ConclusionThese EULAR PtC provide guidance on important aspects that should be considered for the development, evaluation and implementation of existing and new apps.


Author(s):  
Bianca Steiner ◽  
Isabel Richter ◽  
Lena Elgert ◽  
Reinhold Haux ◽  
Klaus-Hendrik Wolf

Rehabilitation of musculoskeletal diseases (MSD) of the shoulder is a multifaceted long-term process, which is often not transparent to affected patients. Mobile health applications (apps) have the potential to support this complex process by improving patients’ self-management skills. However, there seems to be a lack of apps providing a holistic approach to motivate and guide patients during the whole rehabilitation process. Therefore, a systematic analysis of apps on Google Play Store was conducted by two independent reviewers. A total of 3227 apps were identified, of which 64 met the eligibility criteria for the qualitative analysis. The majority of analyzed apps were developed generally for patients with MSD of the shoulder, rarely for specific diseases (individual needs of patients). The majority of apps focus on the provision of information, exercise training, and alternative medicine. Apps for diagnostics, inpatient treatment, and self-management, especially for multiple rehabilitation phases, are rare or even not existent. Game design elements are seldom used. If there are any, then simple to implement ones, e.g. messages and progress bars. The (psychological) effects of individual game design elements on patients seem to be neglected, when selecting and implementing game-components.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenna Waxman

BACKGROUND Chronic illnesses are the leading cause of death in the United States. Many chronic illnesses have better outcomes when the plan of care includes self-management of the chronic condition and the associated symptoms. There are more elderly utilizing smart phones in their daily lives than ever before. Mobile technology is improving with many mobile health applications on the market for patients to utilize for their daily self-management of chronic illnesses. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this review was to determine if patients that utilize mobile health applications for self-management of chronic illnesses have better compliance and outcomes than patients that utilize standard self-management methods. METHODS An integrated literature review was conducted to further evaluate the evidence to support utilizing mobile health-based application to manage chronic illnesses. The electronic databases of Carl S. Swisher Library and PubMed were searched with the publication parameters between 2016-2019. The search was restricted by year of publication, search phrases and certain chronic illnesses. Articles that included chronic illnesses other than diabetes, heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were excluded for the review. There were 400 records included in the original search. After duplicates were removed and the exclusion criteria applied, 12 records were applicable for this review. This review was broken down by common identified themes found throughout the articles. RESULTS This integrated literature review found mixed results related to the benefits of mHealth applications. Some of the articles reviewed showed no benefits of using mHealth applications for self-management of chronic illnesses while other articles found strong evidence to imply using this technology can have an overall impact for positive outcomes of chronic illnesses. CONCLUSIONS Many of the articles reviewed did not test mobile health applications that are currently on the market for consumer use. Rather, the applications were designed specifically for the study and has not been put into consumer production. Feasibility studies indicated that it was important to have end-user input as well as healthcare professionals when designing mobile health applications to ensure ease of use and appropriate content.


Author(s):  
Sahar Khenarinezhad ◽  
Ehsan Ghazanfari Savadkoohi ◽  
Leila Shahmoradi

Aim: During the epidemic and with an increase in coronavirus (COVID-19) disease prevalence, emergency care is essential to help people stay informed and undertake self-management measures to protect their health. One of these self-management procedures is the use of mobile apps in health. Mobile health (mHealth) applications include mobile devices in collecting clinical health data, sharing healthcare information for practitioners and patients, real-time monitoring of patient vital signs, and the direct provision of care (via mobile telemedicine). Mobile apps are increasing to improve health, but before healthcare providers can recommend these applications to patients, they need to be sure the apps will help change patients' lifestyles. Method: A search was conducted systematically using the keywords "Covid-19," "Coronavirus," "Covid-19, and Self-management" at the "Apple App Store". Then we evaluated the apps according to MARS criteria in May 2020. Results: A total of 145 apps for COVID-19 self-management were identified, but only 32 apps met our inclusion criteria after being assessed. The overall mean MARS score was 2.9 out of 5, and more than half of the apps had a minimum acceptability score (range 2.5-3.9). The "who academy" app received the highest functionality score. Who Academy, Corona-Care and First Responder COVID-19 Guide had the highest scores for behavior change. Conclusion: Our findings showed that few apps meet the quality, content, and functionality criteria for Covid-19 self-management. Therefore, developers should use evidence-based medical guidelines in creating mobile health applications so that, they can provide comprehensive and complete information to both patients and healthcare provider.


2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 815-825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao-Yun Kao ◽  
Chun-Wang Wei ◽  
Min-Chun Yu ◽  
Tyng-Yeu Liang ◽  
Wen-Hsiung Wu ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 08 (04) ◽  
pp. 1068-1081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehrdad Farzandipour ◽  
Ehsan Nabovati ◽  
Reihane Sharif ◽  
Marzieh Arani ◽  
Shima Anvari

Objective The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the evidence regarding the effects of mobile health applications (mHealth apps) for self-management outcomes in patients with asthma and to assess the functionalities of effective interventions. Methods We systematically searched Medline, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. We included English-language studies that evaluated the effects of smartphone or tablet computer apps on self-management outcomes in asthmatic patients. The characteristics of these studies, effects of interventions, and features of mHealth apps were extracted. Results A total of 10 studies met all the inclusion criteria. Outcomes that were assessed in the included studies were categorized into three groups (clinical, patient-reported, and economic). mHealth apps improved asthma control (five studies) and lung function (two studies) from the clinical outcomes. From the patient-reported outcomes, quality of life (three studies) was statistically significantly improved, while there was no significant impact on self-efficacy scores (two studies). Effects on economic outcomes were equivocal, so that the number of visits (in two studies) and admission and hospitalization-relevant outcomes (in one study) statistically significantly improved; and in four other studies, these outcomes did not improve significantly. mHealth apps features were categorized into seven categories (inform, instruct, record, display, guide, remind/alert, and communicate). Eight of the 10 mHealth apps included more than one functionality. Nearly all interventions had the functionality of recording user-entered data and half of them had the functionality of providing educational information and reminders to patients. Conclusion Multifunctional mHealth apps have good potential in the control of asthma and in improving the quality of life in such patients compared with traditional interventions. Further studies are needed to identify the effectiveness of these interventions on outcomes related to medication adherence and costs.


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