Application of smartphone technologies in disease monitoring: a systematic review (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Technologies play an essential role in monitoring, managing, and self-management of patients with chronic conditions. The current COVID-19 pandemic has limited access to hospital care for patients with chronic diseases, created uncertainty over their health, and accentuated their emotional situation. There is an imperative need globally in delivering healthcare through alternative methodologies to monitor and maintain the health and wellbeing of chronic patients. The advancements in technology and the surge in smartphone ownership could enable it to function as a disease monitoring tool. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the use of smartphone technologies in disease monitoring and examine the acceptance of technology by stakeholders including patients with chronic conditions. METHODS We followed a systematic review process to assess technology's scope in the medical and healthcare system. Four databases (Medline, Web of Science, Embase, and Proquest) were searched. Articles examining the use of smartphone technology in chronic disease monitoring were included. Primary outcomes for the research articles and their statistically significant value where applicable are presented and discussed. RESULTS Results showed that smartphone applications (app)-based weight management program had a significant effect on healthy eating and physical activity (P=.002), eating behaviours (P<.001) and dietary intake pattern (P<.001), decreased mean body weight (P=.008), mean Body Mass Index (BMI) (P=.002) and mean waist circumference (P<.001). App intervention assisted in decreasing the stress levels (paired t-test=3.18; P<.05). A moderately positive correlation between non-invasive electronic monitoring data and questionnaire (r=0.6, P<.0001) were found among cancer patients, and a high acceptance rate of technology (76%) was observed. Our results might help to design, develop and deploy more suitable and targeted smartphone solutions for people with chronic conditions. CONCLUSIONS We found a significant relationship between app use and standard clinical evaluation, and high acceptance of using apps to monitor the disease. Our findings provide insights into critical issues that must be considered when designing, developing and deploying smartphone solutions targeted for monitoring chronic health conditions.