Effectiveness of mobile health technology-enabled interventions to improve management and control of hypertension and diabetes in India- a systematic review

Objectives

In India, due to rapid urbanization, lifestyle changes, and the aging of the population, hypertension and diabetes have become the leading causes of morbidity and mortality over the past 20 years. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of mobile health (mHealth) technology interventions on hypertension and diabetes control in India.

Methods

A comprehensive search in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Dimensions, and Google Scholar was conducted for studies conducted in India and published from inception to October 15th, 2024. The retrieved studies assessed the impact of mHealth technology interventions on hypertension and diabetes control in India. The Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes, & Study Design (PICOS) framework outlined the key elements of the review. This systematic review uses secondary data, so no ethical approval is needed.

Results

Of 782 potential articles assessed, eight met the inclusion criteria. mHealth technology-enabled Interventions were associated with significantly improved blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) in the intervention group compared to the control group. Additionally, digital health interventions, such as SMS-based education and mHealth platforms, greatly improve treatment adherence and patient satisfaction.

Conclusion

Due to an increasing burden of chronic diseases, incorporating mHealth interventions in routine healthcare could be a game-changing strategy toward improved health outcomes, especially in areas with limited resources and access to traditional care. The study provides a basis on which future research can be done to develop further and implement digital health strategies for the management and control of diabetes and hypertension.