Technological functionality and system architecture of mobile health interventions for diabetes management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

IntroductionDespite advancements in digital health, systematic evaluations of mobile applications (Apps) for diabetes management are limited.MethodsResearchers conducted searches on PUBMED, EMBASE, COCHRANE, SCOPUS, and WEB OF SCIENCE from inception to August 2024. The researchers included randomize...

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Main Authors: Xinran Yu, Yifeng Wang, Zhengyang Liu, Euitay Jung
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1549568/full
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author Xinran Yu
Yifeng Wang
Zhengyang Liu
Euitay Jung
author_facet Xinran Yu
Yifeng Wang
Zhengyang Liu
Euitay Jung
author_sort Xinran Yu
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionDespite advancements in digital health, systematic evaluations of mobile applications (Apps) for diabetes management are limited.MethodsResearchers conducted searches on PUBMED, EMBASE, COCHRANE, SCOPUS, and WEB OF SCIENCE from inception to August 2024. The researchers included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effectiveness of app-based interventions in health management among diabetic patients. Reviewers were paired and independently conducted the screening of studies, data extraction, and evaluation of study quality. The primary outcome of interest was the modification of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The researchers utilized a random effects model to calculate the weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and used the I2 statistic to assess study heterogeneity. Publication bias for the primary outcomes underwent assessment. Studies were Appraised for quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment.Results41 studies of 3911 initially identified articles that met the selection criteria. The results showed that Apps’ intervention significantly improved glycemic control in diabetic patients, with a mean reduction in HbA1c levels of 0.49% (95%CI: –0.65 to –0.32%) compared to standard care. The analysis also revealed that Apps enhanced patient self-management behaviors. Subgroup analyses failed to resolve heterogeneity, but studies consistently observed improved HbA1c levels. The quality assessment results indicated that most studies performed well in the completeness of outcome data and selective reporting.DiscussionThis meta-analysis confirms that mobile health applications with practical technological functionalities and system architectures are beneficial in managing diabetes. These applications significantly reduced HbA1c levels and improved self-management behaviors. Although some studies exhibited a moderate risk of bias, the overall evidence supports using these applications as valuable tools in diabetes care. Future research should standardize application features, refine system architectures, and address bias issues to enhance.Systematic Review RegistrationPROSPERO (CRD42023441365).
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spelling doaj-art-c0df52839a634926a1bb83a1fbd0d1492025-08-20T02:14:31ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-02-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15495681549568Technological functionality and system architecture of mobile health interventions for diabetes management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsXinran Yu0Yifeng Wang1Zhengyang Liu2Euitay Jung3Graduate School, Major of Visual Design, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of KoreaGraduate School, Major of Visual Design, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of KoreaSchool of Art, Shandong University of Finance and Economics, Jinan, Shandong, ChinaGraduate School, Major of Visual Design, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of KoreaIntroductionDespite advancements in digital health, systematic evaluations of mobile applications (Apps) for diabetes management are limited.MethodsResearchers conducted searches on PUBMED, EMBASE, COCHRANE, SCOPUS, and WEB OF SCIENCE from inception to August 2024. The researchers included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effectiveness of app-based interventions in health management among diabetic patients. Reviewers were paired and independently conducted the screening of studies, data extraction, and evaluation of study quality. The primary outcome of interest was the modification of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The researchers utilized a random effects model to calculate the weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and used the I2 statistic to assess study heterogeneity. Publication bias for the primary outcomes underwent assessment. Studies were Appraised for quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment.Results41 studies of 3911 initially identified articles that met the selection criteria. The results showed that Apps’ intervention significantly improved glycemic control in diabetic patients, with a mean reduction in HbA1c levels of 0.49% (95%CI: –0.65 to –0.32%) compared to standard care. The analysis also revealed that Apps enhanced patient self-management behaviors. Subgroup analyses failed to resolve heterogeneity, but studies consistently observed improved HbA1c levels. The quality assessment results indicated that most studies performed well in the completeness of outcome data and selective reporting.DiscussionThis meta-analysis confirms that mobile health applications with practical technological functionalities and system architectures are beneficial in managing diabetes. These applications significantly reduced HbA1c levels and improved self-management behaviors. Although some studies exhibited a moderate risk of bias, the overall evidence supports using these applications as valuable tools in diabetes care. Future research should standardize application features, refine system architectures, and address bias issues to enhance.Systematic Review RegistrationPROSPERO (CRD42023441365).https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1549568/fullmobile applicationsdiabetes managementsystem architecturerandom controlled trialsmeta-analysis
spellingShingle Xinran Yu
Yifeng Wang
Zhengyang Liu
Euitay Jung
Technological functionality and system architecture of mobile health interventions for diabetes management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Frontiers in Public Health
mobile applications
diabetes management
system architecture
random controlled trials
meta-analysis
title Technological functionality and system architecture of mobile health interventions for diabetes management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_full Technological functionality and system architecture of mobile health interventions for diabetes management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_fullStr Technological functionality and system architecture of mobile health interventions for diabetes management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_full_unstemmed Technological functionality and system architecture of mobile health interventions for diabetes management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_short Technological functionality and system architecture of mobile health interventions for diabetes management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_sort technological functionality and system architecture of mobile health interventions for diabetes management a systematic review and meta analysis of randomized controlled trials
topic mobile applications
diabetes management
system architecture
random controlled trials
meta-analysis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1549568/full
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