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Accurate health information can empower patients to take charge of their own disease management.
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Mobile health apps can provide accurate information and encourage disease self-management.
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Use of the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) tool can assist providers in choosing highly effective apps for patients.
Wellness and Disease Self-Management Mobile Health Apps Evaluated by the Mobile Application Rating Scale
Section snippets
Key points
Behavior change
Changes in behavior are often required for health improvement. Some health changes are recommended at a population level, with policy and guideline recommendations, such as dietary guidelines to reduce heart disease. Often, these changes do not work as successfully as hoped because the change-makers act in reaction to the need for change rather than fixing the instigating problem [9]. In the example given earlier, specific components of the diet may not be as much to blame as overeating or lack
Hypertension
Globally, 1 in 5 people have a diagnosis of hypertension [16]. Although hypertension requires careful monitoring and management, it also carries with it a risk of stroke and kidney disease. Mobile apps for management of hypertension should reflect national evidence-based guidelines for the management of hypertension but should also include 5 key features: the ability to export data, send reminders, analyze data, record time, and provide education [17]. These features allow several aspects of
Adolescents
Targeting the adolescent population for app usage for the self-management of disease or illness is challenging because of their developmental stages that are different than those of adults. In addition, many app manufacturers do not include adolescents in app development or do not test their efficacy with adolescents [35,36].
Balance and falls
Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide [41]. Approximately 37 million people experience a fall requiring medical attention annually, with adults aged 65 years and older comprising the largest number of fatal falls [41]. These statistics provide evidence that balance is an important aspect of care for older adults. In a 2018 study, Reyes and colleagues [42] examined apps targeted to improve or maintain balance. Specific search criteria were not included in
Implications for practice
Self-management of disease and health promotion through the use of mobile apps is an area of rapid growth, and the use of mobile devices is proliferative [42]. Clinicians have the opportunity to empower patients to take charge of their wellness and improve their disease self-management through the use of mobile apps. Mobile apps have a variety of functional components, including the ability to transmit data to clinicians, incorporate the latest clinical practice guidelines, provide patient
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