Patient perspectives on a mobile health clinic for cardiovascular risk factor screening, health promotion and prevention.

Mapping remembering, recovering, and relating: At-risk mothers' needs across pregnancy and postpartum within a multimodal digital peer-support intervention.

Mobile applications for time and event management in older adults and their careagivers: A scoping review.

Mobile health strategies to improve HPV vaccination uptake among parents of adolescent girls: a scoping review.

Type 1 diabetes intervention clusters in resource-limited settings: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

The impact of mHealth on physical activity in wheelchair users: A scoping review.

To explore the specific needs of patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), caregivers, and health care professionals (HCPs) for a mobile health (mHealth) app, aiming to inform the design and development of effective mHealth service solutions. This descriptive qualitative study was conducted from June to September 2024 in the wound care clinics of 2 local hospitals. Participants included patients with DFUs, caregivers, and HCPs directly involved in their care. Interview data were analyzed, synthesized, and refined using content analysis. Five key themes emerged: the pressing need to implement mHealth app services, convenient and personalized access to information, continuous and specialized health guidance, a multidisciplinary approach to disease management, and free access alongside privacy and legal protections. This study provides valuable insights for the design and development of an mHealth app for DFU. During the development process, it is essential to consider user needs and ensure the app meets the expectations of patients and related groups for personalized, continuous, and specialized health guidance; free access; privacy protection; and multidisciplinary collaboration. A balance should be struck between convenience and security of the app's features, to encourage user engagement and enhance the app's value and effectiveness.

The digital transformation of reproductive health has been accelerated by rapid advances in Femtech, which offers new approaches to addressing infertility-related challenges. This review synthesizes the current evidence across three domains: consumer-facing technologies for fertility awareness and at-home diagnostics; the integration of digital health tools, including telehealth and mobile health (mHealth), into clinical management pathways; and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in assisted reproductive technology (ART). Fertility tracking applications and home-based diagnostic tools may improve accessibility and support patient engagement in reproductive health management; however, evidence regarding their effects on clinically meaningful outcomes, including pregnancy and live birth rates, remains limited or inconsistent. Telehealth and mHealth platforms have been widely adopted and have demonstrated high patient satisfaction and feasibility, with clinical outcomes comparable to those of traditional in-person care in selected settings. In ART, AI-based approaches show promise for gamete and embryo assessment, selection, and outcome prediction, although the current evidence is derived largely from observational and validation studies and does not yet demonstrate consistent improvements in clinical outcomes. Despite these advances, important challenges remain, including variability in evidence quality, data privacy concerns, regulatory uncertainty, and disparities in digital access. Overall, although Femtech technologies have substantial potential to enhance reproductive care, their clinical integration should be guided by rigorous validation and cautious interpretation of the existing evidence.

Body shaming refers to the stigmatization of individuals based on body weight, shape, or appearance; it is an under-recognized determinant of women's mental health. It contributes to low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and diminished quality of life, while discouraging health-seeking behaviors and reinforcing gender inequities. Despite growing global recognition of body shaming as a public health concern, evidence on its prevalence, cultural dynamics, and impact in African contexts remains limited. This review aims to synthesize current evidence on body shaming, examine existing interventions, and identify gaps particularly within African settings. A narrative review of published literature, global health frameworks, and advocacy reports was conducted. Sources included guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychological Association (APA), evidence-based therapeutic interventions, digital advocacy movements, and policy frameworks such as the African Union's Agenda 2063. The WHO and APA now formally recognize appearance-related distress as a mental health determinant. Evidence-based interventions including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and school-based programs such as the Body Project demonstrate measurable reductions in body dissatisfaction and associated psychological risks. Large-scale initiatives like the Dove Self-Esteem Project have reached millions of young women globally, while digital movements (#BodyPositivity, #DetoxYourFeed) and mobile mental health platforms continue to expand access and awareness. However, challenges persist: deeply rooted cultural norms that privilege specific body types, limited African-focused research, inadequate mental health infrastructure, the paradoxical role of social media, and weak policy enforcement. Addressing body shaming requires intersectional, culturally sensitive research, integration of screening and interventions within healthcare systems, strengthened digital literacy, and cross-sectoral policy action. Community-driven campaigns and women's empowerment are central to challenging stigma and celebrating diversity. Systemic change across healthcare, education, media, and policy is essential to promote healthier self-perceptions, enhance mental wellbeing, and advance gender equity.

Technology-Enabled Crisis Care for Youth: Bridging the Gap.

Asynchronous online versus face-to-face mindfulness training for maternal mental health: A randomised controlled trial.

Practical considerations when designing an online learning algorithm for an app-based mHealth intervention.

The rapid growth of digital technologies has transformed daily activities, health management, and social interaction. Older adults, however, continue to face challenges in adopting and using these tools due to limited previous exposure, age-related sensory or cognitive decline, and low digital confidence. In Brazil, internet access among adults aged 60 years or older has increased, yet digital exclusion persists, worsening health disparities. Mobile health (mHealth) apps offer a potential strategy to promote digital inclusion, strengthen digital competencies, and support healthy aging. Nonetheless, studies show that culturally adapted, multidisciplinary interventions for this group remain scarce and are rarely assessed through both quantitative and qualitative methods. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a lifestyle mHealth app on improving digital skills, as well as to analyze the level of satisfaction and usability of the app. In this mixed methods study, a 14-week randomized clinical trial was conducted in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 40 older adult women were randomized into an intervention group (n=21), who used the mobile app, and a control group (n=19). Digital competencies were measured before and after the intervention using a semistructured questionnaire based on the Modelo de Competências Digitais para M-learning com foco em idosos (MCDMSênior; Digital Competency Model for M-learning with a focus on older adults) framework, covering 6 domains-basic technology use, internet navigation, mobile app use, online research, digital communication, and usage of digital resources. Additionally, satisfaction with the educational content was evaluated using the suitability assessment of materials, and system usability was assessed using the System Usability Scale. Qualitative data were collected through semistructured, in-person interviews conducted immediately after the intervention with all intervention participants. Interviews explored perceptions of the app's usability, satisfaction with its content, barriers, and facilitators to engagement, and perceived changes in digital skills. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically by 2 independent researchers using an inductive coding approach. Postintervention analyses revealed significant differences in specific digital competencies. The intervention group demonstrated a moderate improvement in internet navigation skills, while gains in basic technology use and digital communication were minimal. Conversely, the control group exhibited moderate improvement in basic technology skills and lower effects in online research and digital communication. Overall, satisfaction with the educational content was low, and usability was rated as average. Qualitative findings indicated that, although participants valued the clarity of navigation and cultural relevance, persistent age-related fears and insecurities in using digital technologies were reported. Participants highlighted the need for more personalized guidance, ongoing motivational support, and technical adjustments to improve usability and engagement. mHealth apps can effectively enhance certain digital competencies in older women, particularly internet navigation, but improvements in content suitability and usability are needed. Refinements in design and tailored support are essential to overcome age-related barriers and foster digital inclusion.

Spatial navigation is a complex cognitive skill that is important for daily functioning. Declines in navigation ability have been frequently noted in people with cognitive impairment. While previous research has linked inflammation to spatial navigation in animal models, the effects in humans, and specifically older adults, remain unknown. We aimed to assess the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and spatial navigation ability. We examined the association between levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-Reactive protein (CRP) and time taken to complete the Floor Maze Test (FMT) using multiple regression models in 206 community-dwelling older adults (M age 78.3 ± 6.7 years, 53% female). We calculated beta coefficients with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the overall sample, as well as stratified by sex. Performance on the immediate FMT was significantly associated with CRP, after adjusting for demographics, mobility, and physical health, and episodic memory and executive function (Beta = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.04-1.35, p = 0.01). Our stratified analysis indicated that this effect may be sex-specific and present only in female participants. We did not find any significant associations with the delayed FMT in men or with IL-6. Higher levels of CRP are associated with worse spatial navigation performance, particularly in female older adults. Though this study is cross-sectional, it highlights the effects of inflammation on an important cognitive skill, spatial navigation.

Despite the growing amount of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in low- and middle-income countries like China, their glucose control was suboptimal, likely due to poor adherence to healthy lifestyles and preventive medications. Mobile health tools facilitating secondary prevention seem promising, but evidence focusing on this high-risk population is scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the significance of mobile health tools in long-term glycemic management for post-CABG patients with comorbid diabetes mellitus. GUIDEME (glycemic control using mini program-based intervention in patients with diabetes undergoing coronary artery bypass to promote self-management) is a multicenter, open-label, closed-user group, randomized controlled trial, in which 1066 patients with diabetes who had recently undergone CABG were enrolled and allocated into 2 groups. Patients in the control group received conventional health education before discharge, whereas those in the intervention group additionally received automatic delivery of bite-sized health education and medication reminders through a smartphone app during the 6 months after discharge. The primary end point was a change in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline to 6 months. Among the 1066 eligible participants enrolled, a total of 1038 (97.4%) had completed the follow-up, while 1000 (93.8%) had 6-month HbA1c results available. Although only 79 (14.9%) patients in the intervention group were defined as active users, a greater reduction of HbA1c in the intervention group was observed (adjusted between-group mean difference -0.13, 95% CI -0.25 to -0.01; P=.04). The intervention group also had a high proportion of good medication adherence (96.1% vs 93.2%, P=.04). There was no difference between the 2 groups regarding the secondary end points. Health education and medication reminders based on smartphone app achieved a statistically significant but modest between-group difference in HbA1c, the clinical relevance of which remains uncertain.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been performed with increasing frequency worldwide, and patients often experience anxiety, pain, reduced physical function, kinesiophobia, and sleep disturbances during the perioperative period. Evidence regarding mobile health interventions that begin preoperatively and continue after discharge remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a mobile-based education and exercise program on anxiety, pain, physical function, and sleep quality in TKA patients. In this randomized controlled experimental study, 108 patients who underwent unilateral primary TKA were enrolled and assigned to the intervention group (n = 53) or the control group (n = 55). In addition to usual care, the intervention group received a mobile-based education and exercise program from the preoperative period through the fourth week after discharge. In contrast, the control group received only usual care. Outcomes were assessed using validated measures of anxiety, pain, kinesiophobia, sleep quality, and physical function at multiple perioperative time points. Patients in the intervention group had significantly lower state anxiety and pain levels and significantly better sleep quality than the control group on the morning of surgery, postoperative day one, the day of discharge, and at the first and fourth weeks after discharge (P < 0.05). Kinesiophobia levels were statistically significantly lower in the intervention group from postoperative day one through week four after discharge (P < 0.05). Physical function was statistically significantly better in the intervention group on the day of discharge and at weeks one and four after discharge (P < 0.05). A mobile-based education and exercise program initiated preoperatively and continued after discharge improved psychological and physical outcomes in patients undergoing TKA. Integrating such mobile-based interventions into perioperative care supports postoperative recovery.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline and functional impairment, posing significant challenges for early detection and management. In recent years, digital health technologies have emerged as promising tools to enhance the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of AD. This review paper explores the multifaceted role of digital health technologies in the early detection and management of Alzheimer's disease. We examine the use of wearable devices that monitor cognitive function and daily activities, as well as mobile health applications designed for cognitive training and symptom tracking. Additionally, we analyze the impact of telehealth services in providing remote care, particularly for underserved populations. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning for analyzing behavioral and cognitive data to support early diagnosis and risk assessment is also discussed. Furthermore, we explore the concept of digital biomarkers and their potential to complement traditional diagnostic methods. Ethical considerations surrounding privacy, data security, and informed consent are addressed to ensure responsible implementation of these technologies. Finally, we highlight gaps in current research and propose future directions for integrating digital health technologies into Alzheimer's care, emphasizing the potential for personalized interventions tailored to individual patient needs. This review underscores the transformative potential of digital health to reshape Alzheimer's disease management and improve patient outcomes.

ABSTRACT Introduction Substance use among university students poses a significant public health challenge, leading to negative health outcomes and impaired academic performance. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions, particularly SMS-based psychoeducational messaging, offer a promising strategy for addressing this issue. However, the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of such interventions within this population remain underexplored. Methods This quasi-experimental study recruited 140 substance-using students from a higher education institution using respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Participants were assigned to an intervention group (n = 70), which received a three-month mobile health cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)-informed psychoeducational text messaging program, or a control group (n = 70) that received no intervention. Results Findings indicated that the mHealth intervention was well-received across key implementation metrics. The Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM) averaged 4.2 (SD = 0.6), demonstrating strong approval. The Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM) scored 4.0 (SD = 0.7), reflecting perceived relevance to substance use issues. Feasibility was also rated positively, with a Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM) mean of 3.8 (SD = 0.8), indicating practicality in participants’ daily lives. Conclusions This study suggests that a low-cost, SMS-based psychoeducational intervention is acceptable, appropriate, and feasible for university students. These findings support scaling such interventions to reduce substance use and promote healthier academic environments.

Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a highly prevalent health problem, encompassing urinary incontinence, emptying disorders of the bladder, fecal incontinence, emptying disorders of the bowel, pelvic organ prolapse, sexual dysfunction, and chronic pelvic pain. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions delivered through apps can provide remote health services to improve patient compliance and enhance treatment effectiveness. Although apps for preventing and managing PFD have been developed and used, the features and quality of these apps in China have not been systematically examined. This study aimed to systematically summarize the functions and evaluate the quality of the existing mHealth apps for preventing and managing all kinds of PFD, such as urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and chronic pelvic pain. We systematically searched for potential PFD apps on the Apple App Store, Huawei AppGallery, and VIVO App Store. Apps were included if they were free, designed for preventing or managing PFD, in the Chinese language, could be downloaded and run on Android, Harmony, or iOS operating systems (OS), and incorporated elements of preventing and managing PFD. We excluded apps that were intended for use by health care providers and not relevant to PFD. Apps that met the inclusion criteria were downloaded and included for final analysis. The user version of the Mobile App Rating Scale (uMARS) was used to assess the apps' quality and summarize the apps' functionality according to guidelines. Of the 3897 apps screened, 46 apps that met the inclusion criteria were included in the final analysis. All apps were developed by corporations. More than half of the apps had download counts exceeding 10,000, and 24 (52.2%) apps scored 4 or higher in app stores. Furthermore, nearly half of the apps (n=21, 45.7%) had been updated within the past month at the time of retrieval. The overall uMARS scores ranged from 2.29 to 4.50, with a mean uMARS score of 3.46 (SD 0.50), which is considered acceptable quality. Based on uMARS scores, 15.2% (n=7) were rated as poor quality, 65.2% (n=30) as acceptable, and 19.6% (n=9) as good quality. More than half of the apps provided the functions of exercise (n=44, 95.7%), personal information recording (n=31, 67.4%), and health education (n=28, 60.9%). Only 5 apps provided 5 or more functions. The apps for PFD revealed acceptable quality, and the majority provided exercise, personal information recording, and health education functions. However, many apps lacked comprehensive functionalities and did not provide immediate feedback or high-quality educational information. Health care providers should follow international guidelines to create high-quality, evidence-based, multifunctional apps for PFD. Future studies should explore the effects of the apps and real-world user feedback data in clinical settings.

Mobile health (mHealth) interventions offer opportunities to improve access to safe, evidence-informed support for people affected by eating disorders (EDs). However, challenges remain around sustained engagement, inclusivity, and integration with care. The co-produced Eating Disorder Support App, developed by the Eating Disorder Health Integration Team (EDHIT) from Bristol Health Partners in the UK, aims to provide trusted, accessible information for individuals with lived experience, supporters, and healthcare professionals. This study examined user engagement, acceptability, and the perceived impact of the app on knowledge, confidence and support-seeking, while identifying opportunities for refinement. A mixed-methods evaluation was conducted using an online survey and follow-up semi-structured interviews. Sixteen participants (people with lived experience, supporters, and healthcare professionals) completed a survey assessing app use, usability, satisfaction, and perceived impact; four took part in qualitative interviews exploring experiences in depth. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and qualitative data were analysed using conventional qualitative content analysis. Within this sample, participants reported high satisfaction with the app's accessibility, clarity, and non-judgemental tone, with the majority (93.8%) rating its overall quality as good or excellent. Survey findings indicated perceived improvements in knowledge, confidence, and intentions to seek or support help-seeking. Qualitative content analysis produced four overarching categories, with ten subcategories, providing further insight into how the app functioned as a trusted, accessible adjunct to care, supporting understanding, reassurance, and emotional safety. Participants also highlighted areas for improvement, including the need for greater personalisation, expanded multimedia content, and clearer navigation to manage initial information load. Overall, findings highlighted the app's perceived value, while identifying opportunities to enhance engagement and inclusivity. This evaluation suggests that the Eating Disorder Support App may be an acceptable and useful digital resource that complements clinical care and supports self-management. Future evaluations should include larger and more diverse samples, longitudinal follow-up, and assessment of clinical outcomes to strengthen the understanding of impact. Continued co-production and lived-experience involvement are likely to enhance inclusivity, relevance, and sustained engagement in digital ED support tools.