Abstract
This study investigated the features and usefulness of mobile app-based health promotion programs for the general population. A comprehensive bibliographic search of studies on health promotion programs using mobile apps in peer-reviewed journals published in English up to November 2017 was performed using the PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL databases. The inclusion criteria were (1) randomized control trial designs; (2) assessed mobile app-based interventions to promote adult health conditions; 12 studies were ultimately included. The most common topics were diet and physical activity (n = 8) and overall healthy lifestyle improvement (n = 4). The purpose of the apps included providing feedback on one’s health status (n = 9) and monitoring individual health status or behavior change (n = 9). Across all studies, health outcomes were shown to be better for mobile app users compared to non-users. Mobile app-based health interventions may be an effective strategy for improving health promotion behaviors in the general population without diseases. This study suggests that mobile app use is becoming commonplace for a variety of health-promoting behaviors in addition to physical activity and weight control. Future research should address the feasibility and effectiveness of using mobile apps for health promotion in developing countries.
Highlights
Before the emergence of mobile phones, health care services were usually provided face-to-face with patients
No restrictions were placed on any specific health promotion behaviors, that is, walking, weight control, physical activity, sun protection behavior, etc. because this review intended to investigate to what extent mobile apps have been used in health promotion interventions for the general population
The present study reviewed the purposes and characteristics of mobile app programs designed for general population use in community settings
Summary
Before the emergence of mobile phones, health care services were usually provided face-to-face with patients. Medical and nursing interventions using mobile phones and apps have increased [1,2]. Because such mobile apps provide an easy way to access the target group [6] and are cost-effective compared to phone-based [7] and clinic-based [8] interventions. Mobile apps were used for providing health education information [9,10], self-reporting [11], monitoring [10,12,13], data collection [14,15], and providing feedback [13,16] and notifications of visitation times [17]. Due to the advantage of real-time feedback, access through apps can facilitate participants in engaging in research, receiving individual education [18], generating sustained motivation through automatic sending of text messages and contact between users and health professionals [19,20], as well as changing health behaviors, as shown in a systematic review on physical activity [21]
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