Mobile health applications for self-management in chronic lung disease: a systematic review

Integration of mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) into chronic lung disease management is becoming increasingly popular. MHealth apps may support adoption of self-management behaviors to assist people in symptoms control and quality of life enhancement. However, mHealth apps’ designs, features, and content are inconsistently reported, making it difficult to determine which were the effective components. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the characteristics and features of published mHealth apps for chronic lung diseases. A structured search strategy across five databases (CINAHL, Medline, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane) was performed. Randomized controlled trials investigating interactive mHealth apps in adults with chronic lung disease were included. Screening and full-text reviews were completed by three reviewers using Research Screener and Covidence. Data extraction followed the mHealth Index and Navigation Database (MIND) Evaluation Framework (https://mindapps.org/), a tool designed to help clinicians determine the best mHealth apps to address patients’ needs. Over 90,000 articles were screened, with 16 papers included. Fifteen distinct apps were identified, 8 for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (53%) and 7 for asthma (46%) self-management. Different resources informed app design approaches, accompanied with varying qualities and features across studies. Common reported features included symptom tracking, medication reminders, education, and clinical support. There was insufficient information to answer MIND questions regarding security and privacy, and only five apps had additional publications to support their clinical foundation. Current studies reported designs and features of self-management apps differently. These app design variations create challenges in determining their effectiveness and suitability for chronic lung disease self-management. Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42021260205).