This Evidence Check review examines the evidence regarding the benefits, uptake and operationalisation of mHealth technologies (including short messaging services (SMS), mobile apps and wearable devices) for chronic disease management and prevention. The review found mHealth interventions can promote significant improvements in glycaemic control (for diabetes patients), as well as in physical activity, weight loss and smoking cessation, with the strongest evidence for SMS. Benefits appeared to be mediated by the characteristics of both the intervention and the patient population. Integrating mHealth technologies into healthcare as part of a service rather than a standalone system was as an important marker of success.
Citation
L Laranjo, A Lau, B Oldenburg, E Gabarron, A O’Neill et al. 
