Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mobile Apps on Medication Adherence for Chronic Conditions: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Abstract BackgroundMedication adherence is crucial for managing chronic conditions. Mobile apps may have the potential, through a wide variety of features, to support and improve medication adherence. ObjectiveThe purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate t...
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JMIR Publications
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| Online Access: | https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e60822 |
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| author | Vaidehee Lanke Kevin Trimm Bettina Habib Robyn Tamblyn |
| author_facet | Vaidehee Lanke Kevin Trimm Bettina Habib Robyn Tamblyn |
| author_sort | Vaidehee Lanke |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Abstract
BackgroundMedication adherence is crucial for managing chronic conditions. Mobile apps may have the potential, through a wide variety of features, to support and improve medication adherence.
ObjectiveThe purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of mobile apps in promoting medication adherence for patients managing chronic conditions.
MethodsMEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effectiveness of mobile app interventions in improving medication adherence in patients with chronic conditions. Study design and app features were qualitatively described. Meta-analyses were performed on studies, grouped by medication adherence measurement scale, on the mean differences in medication adherence scores between intervention and control groups, using random effects models. If baseline medication adherence data were available, a difference in differences meta-analysis with a random effects model was also conducted. Bias assessment was conducted using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool.
ResultsThis review included 14 RCTs published between 2014 and 2022, with sample sizes between 57 and 412 participants and the length of interventions ranging from 30 days to 12 months. A range of patient populations was evaluated, including those with Parkinson disease, coronary heart disease, psoriasis, and hypertension, with hypertension being the most common condition. All 14 studies reported that app interventions improved medication adherence, and 10 RCTs demonstrated statistically significant improvement in medication adherence. Three separate sets of meta-analyses, categorized by the medication adherence measurement scales, were conducted on the mean difference between medication adherence scores between the control and intervention groups: the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8; 0.57, 95% CI 0.33-0.80; PI22PPI22PPI22PPI22PPI22P
ConclusionsFrom the studies included in this review, mobile apps, designed for a wide variety of chronic conditions with a range of features, were shown to improve medication adherence and may be a tool to successfully manage chronic conditions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-497e9dde7e6b42bd89a8021eb2b30097 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1438-8871 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-497e9dde7e6b42bd89a8021eb2b300972025-08-20T03:40:53ZengJMIR PublicationsJournal of Medical Internet Research1438-88712025-07-0127e60822e6082210.2196/60822Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mobile Apps on Medication Adherence for Chronic Conditions: Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisVaidehee Lankehttp://orcid.org/0009-0006-2026-4363Kevin Trimmhttp://orcid.org/0009-0002-1939-4217Bettina Habibhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-9570-1026Robyn Tamblynhttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-0134-6954 Abstract BackgroundMedication adherence is crucial for managing chronic conditions. Mobile apps may have the potential, through a wide variety of features, to support and improve medication adherence. ObjectiveThe purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of mobile apps in promoting medication adherence for patients managing chronic conditions. MethodsMEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effectiveness of mobile app interventions in improving medication adherence in patients with chronic conditions. Study design and app features were qualitatively described. Meta-analyses were performed on studies, grouped by medication adherence measurement scale, on the mean differences in medication adherence scores between intervention and control groups, using random effects models. If baseline medication adherence data were available, a difference in differences meta-analysis with a random effects model was also conducted. Bias assessment was conducted using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. ResultsThis review included 14 RCTs published between 2014 and 2022, with sample sizes between 57 and 412 participants and the length of interventions ranging from 30 days to 12 months. A range of patient populations was evaluated, including those with Parkinson disease, coronary heart disease, psoriasis, and hypertension, with hypertension being the most common condition. All 14 studies reported that app interventions improved medication adherence, and 10 RCTs demonstrated statistically significant improvement in medication adherence. Three separate sets of meta-analyses, categorized by the medication adherence measurement scales, were conducted on the mean difference between medication adherence scores between the control and intervention groups: the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8; 0.57, 95% CI 0.33-0.80; PI22PPI22PPI22PPI22PPI22P ConclusionsFrom the studies included in this review, mobile apps, designed for a wide variety of chronic conditions with a range of features, were shown to improve medication adherence and may be a tool to successfully manage chronic conditions.https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e60822 |
| spellingShingle | Vaidehee Lanke Kevin Trimm Bettina Habib Robyn Tamblyn Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mobile Apps on Medication Adherence for Chronic Conditions: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| title | Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mobile Apps on Medication Adherence for Chronic Conditions: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_full | Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mobile Apps on Medication Adherence for Chronic Conditions: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mobile Apps on Medication Adherence for Chronic Conditions: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mobile Apps on Medication Adherence for Chronic Conditions: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_short | Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mobile Apps on Medication Adherence for Chronic Conditions: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_sort | evaluating the effectiveness of mobile apps on medication adherence for chronic conditions systematic review and meta analysis |
| url | https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e60822 |
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