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What do we know about mobile applications for diabetes self-management? A review of reviews

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Abstract

Diabetes is a chronic illness with significant health consequences, especially for those who are unable to adhere to the complex treatment regimen. Self-management tasks such as regular medication and insulin use, frequent blood sugar checks, strict diet management, and consistent exercise can be quite challenging. Mobile technologies, specifically mobile applications (apps), present a unique opportunity to help patients improve adherence to these behaviors. The availability of commercial diabetes self-management apps is increasing rapidly, making it difficult for patients and providers to stay informed about app options. A number of reviews have described commercial app technology and use for patients with diabetes. The aims of this article are to summarize the results and themes of those reviews, to review outcomes of apps described in the research literature, and to identify areas for further consideration in the use of mobile apps for diabetes self-management.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, 1645 W Jackson, Suite 400, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

    Megan Hood, Rebecca Wilson, Joyce Corsica, Lauren Bradley, Diana Chirinos & Amanda Vivo

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  1. Megan Hood
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  2. Rebecca Wilson
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  3. Joyce Corsica
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  4. Lauren Bradley
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  5. Diana Chirinos
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  6. Amanda Vivo
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Correspondence to Megan Hood.

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Megan Hood, Rebecca Wilson, Joyce Corsica, Lauren Bradley, Diana Chirinos, Amanda Vivo declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and animal rights and Informed consent

All procedures followed were in accordance with ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000. Informed consent was obtained from all patients for being included in the study.

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Hood, M., Wilson, R., Corsica, J. et al. What do we know about mobile applications for diabetes self-management? A review of reviews. J Behav Med 39, 981–994 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-016-9765-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-016-9765-3

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