Accepted for/Published in: Interactive Journal of Medical Research
Date Submitted: Dec 27, 2023
Date Accepted: Dec 3, 2024
The effect of combining mHealth and health professional-led intervention for improving health related outcomes in chronic diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis
ABSTRACT
Background:
Chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory conditions, pose a significant global health challenge, affecting millions worldwide. Traditional healthcare approaches often fall short in managing the increasing demands of chronic disease care. This has led to exploring innovative solutions, such as mobile health (mHealth) technologies. mHealth, which utilizes mobile and wireless technologies, could potentially transform healthcare delivery by offering continuous, accessible, and personalized care. However, the effectiveness of mHealth, particularly when integrated with traditional healthcare interventions led by professionals, warrants comprehensive investigation.
Objective:
The study investigated the effectiveness of combining mHealth and professional-led interventions in chronic disease management.
Methods:
This systematic review and meta-analysis focused on randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We searched various databases from their inception until July 17, 2023. The study targeted patients aged 20 and older, suffering from at least one chronic condition. The interventions combined mHealth with a healthcare professional's input. mHealth is defined by the WHO as "the use of mobile and wireless technologies to support the achievement of health objectives." The outcomes measured in this review included health-related metrics such as blood data, physical activity, or patient-reported health outcomes.
Results:
The study included 26 research papers, encompassing 7,360 individuals. Meta-analysis was conducted for HbA1c and quality of life (QOL) indicators. For HbA1c, a significant improvement was noted in the short term for the combined intervention (SMD -0.43; 95% CI -0.64 to -0.21; P<.001; I2 = 69%), and in the medium term (SMD -0.49; 95% CI -0.49 to -0.09; P<.001; I2 = 21%). However, in the long term, the improvement was not significant (SMD -0.23; 95% CI -0.49 to -0.03; P<.001; I2 = 88%). For QOL, significant improvements were observed in the short term (SMD -0.23; 95% CI -0.42 to -0.05; P<.001; I2 = 62%), and in the medium term (SMD -0.16; 95% CI -0.24 to -0.07; P<.001; I2 = 0%). In the long term, however, the improvement was not significant (SMD -0.12; 95% CI -0.41 to 0.16; P=.04; I2 = 71%).
Conclusions:
Our study confirmed the short- and medium-term benefits of combining mHealth with health professional interventions in HbA1c and QOL, suggesting effective management of chronic diseases through this approach. Clinical Trial: CRD42022337882
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