Mobile App-Based Health Promotion Programs: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Mikyung Lee, Hyeonkyeong Lee, Youlim Kim, Junghee Kim, Mikyeong Cho, Jaeun Jang and Hyoeun Jang
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Mikyung Lee: College of Nursing, Yonsei University, 50-1, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
Hyeonkyeong Lee: Mo-im Kim Nursing Research Institute, College of Nursing, Yonsei University, 50-1, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
Youlim Kim: College of Nursing, Yonsei University, 50-1, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
Junghee Kim: Mo-im Kim Nursing Research Institute, College of Nursing, Yonsei University, 50-1, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
Mikyeong Cho: College of Nursing, Yonsei University, 50-1, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
Jaeun Jang: College of Nursing, Yonsei University, 50-1, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
Hyoeun Jang: College of Nursing, Yonsei University, 50-1, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 12, 1-13

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.

Keywords: health promotion; mobile app; app-based intervention; smartphone (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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