A Methodologic Systematic Review of Mobile Health Behavior Change Randomized Trials

• Published in: American journal of preventive medicine 2019-12, Vol.57 (6), p.836-843
• Main Authors: Oikonomidi, Theodora, Vivot, Alexandre, Tran, Viet-Thi, Riveros, Carolina, Robin, Elisabeth, Ravaud, Philippe
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Human health and pathology; Life Sciences
• ISSN: 0749-3797; 1873-2607
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2019.07.008

Mobile health helps providers offer accessible, affordable, tailored behavior change interventions. However, research assessing mobile health interventions may feature methodologic shortcomings and poor reporting. This review aims to summarize the characteristics, methods, and intervention reporting of RCTs evaluating mobile health behavior change interventions. This was a methodologic systematic review of RCTs assessing mobile health behavior change interventions published in PubMed from January 1, 2014 to January 1, 2018, in journals with the upper half of Impact Factors (Clarivate Analytics). Three reviewers independently extracted sample characteristics. Primary outcomes were classified as patient-important or not using definitions from the literature. Any non–patient-important outcomes were then reclassified by a panel of 3 patients. Intervention reporting was assessed by the mobile health Evidence Reporting and Assessment checklist. Data were analyzed in December 2018. Most of the 231 included RCTs assessed text messaging (51%) or smartphone app (28%) interventions aiming to change nutrition and physical activity (36%) or treatment adherence (25%). Only 8% of RCTs had a patient-important primary outcome, follow-up of ≥6 months, and intent-to-treat analysis. Most primary outcomes were behavioral measures (60%). Follow-up was