There is potential for mHealth tools to better facilitate adherence to chronic disease management , but the evidence supporting its current effectiveness is mixed .
BACKGROUND Adherence to chronic disease management is critical to achieving improved health outcomes , quality of life , and cost-effective health care .
As the burden of chronic diseases continues to grow globally , so does the impact of non-adherence .
Mobile technologies are increasingly being used in health care and public health practice ( mHealth ) for patient communication , monitoring , and education , and to facilitate adherence to chronic diseases management .
OBJECTIVE We conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the effectiveness of mHealth in supporting the adherence of patients to chronic diseases management ( " mAdherence " ) , and the usability , feasibility , and acceptability of mAdherence tools and platforms in chronic disease management among patients and health care providers .
Mobile phone text messaging for promoting adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment: a systematic review protocol
Background In 2010 , there were approximately 8.8 million incident cases of tuberculosis ( TB ) worldwide . The treatment of TB is at least six months long and may be complicated by a high pill burden . In addition , TB patients often do not take their medication on schedule simply because they forget . Mobile phone text messaging has the potential to help promote TB treatment adherence . We , therefore , propose to conduct a review of current best evidence for the use of mobile phone text messaging to promote patient adherence to TB treatment . Methods This is a systematic review of the literature . We will preferably include r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) . However , non-r and omized studies ( NRS ) will be considered if there is an inadequate number of RCTs .We will search PubMed , EMBASE , CINAHL , CENTRAL , Science Citation Index , Africa-Wide Information , and WHOLIS electronic data bases for eligible studies available by 30 November 2012 regardless of language or publication status . We will also check reference lists for additional studies , identify abstract s from conference proceedings and communicate with authors for any relevant material .At least two authors will independently screen search outputs , select studies , extract data and assess the risk of bias ( using separate criteria for RCTs and NRS ) ; resolving discrepancies by discussion and consensus . We will assess clinical heterogeneity by examining the types of participants , interventions and outcomes in each study and pool studies judged to be clinical ly homogenous . We will also assess statistical heterogeneity using the chi-square test of homogeneity and quantify it using the I-square statistic . If study results are found to be statistically homogeneous ( that is heterogeneity P > 0.1 ) , we will pool them using the fixed-effect meta- analysis . Otherwise , we will use r and om-effects meta- analysis . We will calculate risk ratios and their corresponding 95 % confidence intervals for dichotomous outcomes , and mean differences for continuous outcomes . For other outcomes without quantitative data , a descriptive analysis will be used . Discussion Our results can be used by research ers and policy-makers to help inform them of the efficacy of mobile phone text messaging interventions to promote patient adherence to TB treatment
There is potential for mHealth tools to better facilitate adherence to chronic disease management , but the evidence supporting its current effectiveness is mixed .
BACKGROUND Adherence to chronic disease management is critical to achieving improved health outcomes , quality of life , and cost-effective health care .
As the burden of chronic diseases continues to grow globally , so does the impact of non-adherence .
Mobile technologies are increasingly being used in health care and public health practice ( mHealth ) for patient communication , monitoring , and education , and to facilitate adherence to chronic diseases management .
OBJECTIVE We conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the effectiveness of mHealth in supporting the adherence of patients to chronic diseases management ( " mAdherence " ) , and the usability , feasibility , and acceptability of mAdherence tools and platforms in chronic disease management among patients and health care providers .