What do we know about mobile applications for diabetes self-management? A review of reviews
Diabetes is a chronic illness with significant health consequences, especially for those who are unable to adhere to the complex treatment regimen. Self-management tasks such as regular medication and insulin use, frequent blood sugar checks, strict diet management, and consistent exercise can be quite challenging. Mobile technologies, specifically mobile applications (apps), present a unique opportunity to help patients improve adherence to these behaviors. The availability of commercial diabetes self-management apps is increasing rapidly, making it difficult for patients and providers to stay informed about app options. A number of reviews have described commercial app technology and use for patients with diabetes. The aims of this article are to summarize the results and themes of those reviews, to review outcomes of apps described in the research literature, and to identify areas for further consideration in the use of mobile apps for diabetes self-management.
- Kumar, V. S., Wentzell, K. J., Mikkelsen, T., Pentland, A., & Laffel, L. M. (2004). The DAILY (Daily Automated Intensive Log for Youth) Trial: A wireless, portable system to improve adherence and glycemic control in youth with diabetes. Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics, 6, 445–453. doi: 10.1089/1520915041705893 CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Laranjo, L., Arguel, A., Neves, A. L., Gallagher, A. M., Kaplan, R., Mortimer, N., et al. (2014). The influence of social networking sites on health behavior change: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 22, 243–256. doi: 10.1136/amiajnl-2014-002841 PubMedPubMedCentralGoogle Scholar
- Lee, J. (2014). Hype or hope for diabetes mobile health applications? Diabetes Voice, 59, 43–46. Retrieved from =47
- Miltenberger, R. G. (2015). Behavior modification: Principles and procedures (6th ed.). Boston: Cengage Learning.Google Scholar
- Nahum-Shani, S., Smith, S. N., Tewari, A., Witkiewitz, K., Collins, L. M., Spring, B., & Murphy, S. A. (2014). Just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAIs): An organizing framework for ongoing health behavior support. Technical Report No. 14-126. University Park, PA: The Methodology Center, Penn State.Google Scholar
- Padman, R., Jaladi, S., Kim, S., Kumar, S., Orbeta, P., Rudolph, K., & Tran, T. (2013). An evaluation framework and a pilot study of a mobile platform for diabetes self-management: insights from pediatric users. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 192, 333–337. Retrieved from 
- Quinn, C. C., Clough, S. S., Minor, J. M., Lender, D., Okafor, M. C., & Gruber-Baldini, A. (2008). WellDoc™ mobile diabetes management randomized controlled trial: Change in clinical and behavioral outcomes and patient and physician satisfaction. Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics, 10, 160–168. doi: 10.1089/dia.2008.0283 CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Rossi, M. C. E., Nicolucci, A., Bartolo, P. D., Bruttomesso, D., Girelli, A., Ampudia, F. J., et al. (2010). Diabetes interactive diary: A new telemedicine system enabling flexible diet and insulin therapy while improving quality of life an open-label, international, multicenter, randomized study. Diabetes Care, 33, 109–115. doi: 10.2337/dc09-1327 CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Rossi, M. C. E., Nicolucci, A., Pellegrini, F., Bruttomesso, D., Bartolo, P. D., Marelli, G., et al. (2009). Interactive diary for diabetes: A useful and easy-to-use new telemedicine system to support the decision-making process in type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, 11, 19–24. doi: 10.1089/dia.2008.0020 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- SmartBear Software (2015) What is mobile testing? Retrieved January 15, 2015 from https://smartbear.com/learn/software-testing/what-is-mobile-testing/
- Torbjørnsen, A., Jenum, A. K., Småstuen, M. C., Årsand, E., Holmen, H., Wahl, A. K., et al. (2014). A low-intensity mobile health intervention with and without health counseling for persons with type 2 diabetes, part 1: Baseline and short-term results from a randomized controlled trial in the Norwegian part of RENEWING HEALTH. Journal of Medical Internet Research mHealth and uHealth, 2, e52. doi: 10.2196/mhealth.3535 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Vaala, S. E., Hood, K. K., Laffel, L., Kumah-Crystal, Y. A., Lybarger, C. K., & Mulvaney, S. A. (2015). Use of commonly available technologies for diabetes information and self-management among adolescents with type 1 diabetes and their parents: A web-based survey study. Interactive Journal of Medical Research, 4, e24.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentralGoogle Scholar
- Waki, K., Fujita, H., Uchimura, Y., Omae, K., Aramaki, E., Kato, S., et al. (2014). DialBetics: A novel smartphone-based self-management support system for type 2 diabetes patients. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 8, 209–215. doi: 10.1177/1932296814526495 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentralGoogle Scholar
- Winter, S. J., Sheats, J. L., & King, A. C. (2016). The use of behavior change techniques and theory in technologies for cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment in adults: A comprehensive review. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 58, 605–612. doi: 10.1016/j.pcad.2016.02.005 CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- World Health Organization (2011). mHealth: New horizons for health through mobile technologies: Based on the findings of the second global survey on eHealth. Retrieved from 