What is the impact of mobile apps on health behavior change?

Introduction

The proliferation of mobile health (mHealth) applications has created new opportunities for influencing health behavior change. These apps are designed to support users in adopting healthier lifestyles through various behavior change techniques (BCTs). This synthesis examines the effectiveness of mobile apps in promoting health behavior change, drawing on findings from multiple research studies.

Key Insights

Positive Impact on Health Behaviors:
- Many studies report that mobile health apps have a positive impact on targeted health behaviors and clinical outcomes, with users showing higher satisfaction compared to conventional care .
- Apps focusing on diet and nutrition have been associated with increased motivation, self-efficacy, and goal-setting behaviors, leading to healthier dietary habits.
Behavior Change Techniques (BCTs):
- Self-monitoring is a common and effective BCT used in many health apps, contributing to behavior change .
- Other frequently used BCTs include goal setting, feedback, rewards, and social support, which are often combined to enhance effectiveness .
User Engagement and Usability:
- High user engagement and positive perceptions of usability are reported, with many apps receiving favorable ratings for ease of use and satisfaction .
- Gamification elements, such as rewards and challenges, are used in some apps to increase user engagement, although their effectiveness in improving health outcomes is still uncertain.
Theoretical Frameworks:
- Apps that incorporate established behavior change theories, such as the theory of planned behavior and the transtheoretical model, tend to be more effective in promoting behavior change .
- The use of behavior change theories in app design is linked to statistically significant improvements in health outcomes.
Quality and Reporting:
- The quality of health apps varies, with many showing moderate potential for promoting behavior change. Improved reporting and high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to better evaluate their effectiveness .

Conclusion

Mobile health apps have shown promise in promoting health behavior change, particularly through the use of self-monitoring, goal setting, and other behavior change techniques. High user engagement and the incorporation of behavior change theories enhance their effectiveness. However, the quality of these apps varies, and further research is needed to identify the most effective strategies and improve app design for better health outcomes.

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What is the impact of mobile apps on health behavior change?

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Can Mobile Phone Apps Influence People’s Health Behavior Change? An Evidence Review

Mobile phone apps can effectively influence health-related behavior change, with features like user-friendly design, real-time feedback, and health professional involvement improving their effectiveness.

Mobile Apps for Health Behavior Change in Physical Activity, Diet, Drug and Alcohol Use, and Mental Health: Systematic Review

Mobile apps show positive participant perceptions and high study completion rates, but little evidence supports their effectiveness in improving health behaviors or outcomes.

Gamification for health promotion: systematic review of behaviour change techniques in smartphone apps

Few health apps use gamification, with a wide variation in behavior change techniques, potentially limiting potential improvements in health outcomes.

Effectiveness of Mobile Health Application Use to Improve Health Behavior Changes: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Mobile health applications positively impact health-related behaviors and clinical health outcomes, with users reporting higher satisfaction compared to conventional care.

Intelligent mobile support for therapy adherence and behavior change

This mobile app-based behavior change support system uses psychological theories to tailor persuasive messages to users, aiding in therapy adherence and behavior change in various health and lifestyle domains.

The Quality of Health Apps and Their Potential to Promote Behavior Change in Patients With a Chronic Condition or Multimorbidity: Systematic Search in App Store and Google Play

Health apps for patients with chronic conditions or multimorbidity are of acceptable quality but have low to moderate potential for promoting behavior change.

Using Health and Well-Being Apps for Behavior Change: A Systematic Search and Rating of Apps

Apps for healthy lifestyle behaviors need improvement in functionality and behavior change techniques to effectively promote sustained and significant lifestyle behavior change.

Mobile Applications for Behavioral Change

Mobile health apps informed by behavior change theory significantly improve health outcomes for conditions like physical activity, dietary changes, and diabetes.

Enhanced Self-Efficacy and Behavioral Changes Among Patients With Diabetes: Cloud-Based Mobile Health Platform and Mobile App Service

Mobile app-based health interventions can improve self-efficacy and behavioral changes in patients with diabetes, potentially leading to better clinical outcomes.

Controlling Your “App”etite: How Diet and Nutrition-Related Mobile Apps Lead to Behavior Change

Diet and nutrition-related apps can lead to diet-related behavior change by increasing motivation, self-efficacy, desire, and goal setting.

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