BACKGROUND
Although smartphone usage is ubiquitous, and a vast amount of mobile applications have been developed for chronic diseases, mobile applications amongst stroke survivors remain unclear.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effectiveness of mobile applications on medication adherence, functional outcomes, cardiovascular risk factors, quality of life and knowledge on stroke in stroke survivors.
METHODS
A review of the literature was conducted using key search terms in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane and Web of Science databases until 24 January 2023 to investigate the benefit of mobile applications in stroke survivors.
RESULTS
Twenty-three studies involving 2983 participants across nine countries were included in this review. Mobile applications targeting stroke survivors primarily encompassed three areas: rehabilitation, education and self-care. Meta-analysis results demonstrated that mobile application intervention significantly improved trunk control ability (mean differences [MD] 3, 95% CI [1.80 to 4.2]; P <0.00001), Fugl–Meyer assessment of upper extremity (MD 9.81, 95% CI [8.72 to 10.90]; P <0.00001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD −0.33, 95% CI [−0.54 to −0.11]; P = 0.003) and glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)＜7 levels (MD 1.95, 95% CI [1.17 to 3.25]; P = 0.01). However, the mobile application intervention did not differ significantly in medication adherence, 10-min walk test (10 MWT), Barthel index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, body mass index, smoking, health-related quality of life and knowledge of stroke.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggested that mobile application interventions may have a potential benefit to stroke survivors, but the clinical effectiveness should be established.
CLINICALTRIAL
A priori protocol was registered in accordance with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO).(CRD2023402378)