Review article (meta-analysis)Systematic Review of Mobile Health Applications in Rehabilitation
Section snippets
Methods
The review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews network (no. CRD42016046672).
Results
Figure 2 provides a detailed overview of the exclusion process. The search generated abstracts from 8116 studies. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 102 studies were included in the systematic review. Table 4 lists the frequencies of the important functionalities, operating systems, and study designs of the apps. Additional characteristics of the apps, organized by theme, are outlined below.
Discussion
To our knowledge, this article is the first systematic review of studies on the use of mHealth apps in the rehabilitation field. Two-thirds of the studies assessed functioning of the app or participant interaction with the app, and approximately one-third attempted to study the effect of the app as an intervention.
Conclusions
This systematic review addressed over 100 articles evaluating mHealth apps relevant to rehabilitation populations. Approximately one-third of these studies evaluated apps as interventions. Apps were shown to have good psychometric properties when being used to replace some paper-based data collection tools and to measure some physical activity or gait parameters. Studies also revealed patient-centered app designs that accommodate a variety of user impairments and navigation, self-reporting, and
References (129)
- et al.
The SAMS: Smartphone Addiction Management System and verification
J Medical Sys
(2014) - et al.
A perspective on intelligent devices and environments in medical rehabilitation
Med Eng Phys
(2008) - et al.
Power mobility device provision: understanding Medicare guidelines and advocating for clients
Arch Phys Medicine Rehabil
(2007) - et al.
Shoulder magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities, wheelchair propulsion, and gender
Arch Phys Med Rehabil
(2003) - et al.
Analysis of the information quality of bariatric surgery smartphone applications using the Silberg scale
Obes Surg
(2016) - et al.
Osteoarthritis Index delivered by mobile phone (m-WOMAC) is valid, reliable, and responsive
J Clin Epidemiol
(2011) - et al.
Evaluating the usability of a smartphone virtual seating coach application for powered wheelchair users
Med Eng Phys
(2016) - et al.
Mobile-phone-based home exercise training program decreases systemic inflammation in COPD: a pilot study
BMC Pulm Med
(2014) - et al.
Feasibility and effects of home-based smartphone-delivered automated feedback training for gait in people with Parkinson's disease: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Parkinsonism Relat Disord
(2016) - Cisco visual networking index: global mobile data traffic forecast update, 2016-2021. February 7, 2017. Available at:...
RESNA position on the application of tilt, recline, and elevating legrests for wheelchairs
Assist Technol
How smartphones are changing the face of mobile and participatory healthcare: an overview, with example from eCAALYX
Biomed Eng Online
2010 report: the world of health and medical apps
Psychosocial impact of participation in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and Winter Sports Clinic
Disabil Rehabil
Mobile health applications for the most prevalent conditions by the World Health Organization: review and analysis
J Med Internet Res
Application of low-cost methodologies for mobile phone app development
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth
Telerehabilitation
Am J Occ Ther
Telehealth–definitions and guidelines 2012 BOD G03-06-09-19
Advancements in power wheelchair joystick technology: effects of isometric joysticks and signal conditioning on driving performance
Am J Phys Med Rehab
Patient adoption of mHealth: use, evidence and remaining barriers to mainstream acceptance
Perspectives on the evolution of mobile (mHealth) technologies and application to rehabilitation
Phys Ther
Evaluation of a smartphone human activity recognition application with able-bodied and stroke participants
J Neuroeng Rehabil
A telescreening tool to detect aphasia in patients with stroke
Telemed J E Health
A telerehabilitation approach for chronic aphasia following stroke
Telemed J E Health
Wearable shoe-based device for rehabilitation of stroke patients
Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc
Mobile health awareness in pre-detection of mild stroke symptoms
J Comput Sci
A smartphone-centric system for the range of motion assessment in stroke patients
IEEE J Biomed Health Inform
Cognitive assessment of stroke patients with mobile apps: a controlled study
Stud Health Technol Inform
Increasing physical activity in stroke survivors using STARFISH, an interactive mobile phone application: a pilot study
Top Stroke Rehabil
Evaluation of the feasibility and acceptability of the 'Care for Stroke' intervention in India, a smartphone-enabled, carer-supported, educational intervention for management of disability following stroke
BMJ Open
Electronic data capture (EDC) using cellular technology: implications for clinical trials and practice, and preliminary experience with the m-Womac Index in hip and knee OA patients
Inflammopharmacology
Self-assessment tool of disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis by using a smartphone application
Telemed J E Health
Self-assessment of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity using a smartphone application. Development and 3-month feasibility study
Methods Inf Med
Development of lifelog sharing system for rheumatoid arthritis patients using smartphone
Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc
TRAK App Suite: A web-based intervention for delivering standard care for the rehabilitation of knee conditions
JMIR Res Protoc
Increasing compliance with neuromuscular training to prevent ankle sprain in sport: does the 'Strengthen your ankle' mobile app make a difference? A randomised controlled trial
Br J Sports Med
Implementation of an app-based neuromuscular training programme to prevent ankle sprains: a process evaluation using the RE-AIM Framework
Br J Sports Med
Cited by (92)
Systematic reviews in mobile app software engineering: A tertiary study
2023, Information and Software TechnologyMultimodal Chiropractic Management of a Postsurgical Sternoclavicular Injury Utilizing Gamified Rehabilitation: A Case Report
2023, Journal of Chiropractic MedicineMobile health technologies for the management of spine disorders: A systematic review of mHealth applications in Brazil
2022, Musculoskeletal Science and PracticePrecision Rehabilitation: Optimizing Function, Adding Value to Health Care
2022, Archives of Physical Medicine and RehabilitationMobile health: Is your next rehabilitation’s specialist in your pocket?
2024, Journal of the Pakistan Medical AssociationDeterminants of physical activity in newly diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea patients: testing the health action process approach
2024, Journal of Behavioral Medicine
The contents of this publication were developed under grants from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant numbers 90DPGE0002-01-01, 90DP0064-01-00, and 90DP5004-01-00). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this publication do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government, nor do they necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, or HHS.