mHealth and Application Technology Supporting Clinical Trials: Today’s Limitations and Future Perspective of smartRCTs

Abstract

Nowadays, applications (apps) for smartphones and tablets have become indispensable especially for young generations. The estimated number of mobile devices will exceed 2.16 billion in 2016. Over 2.2 million apps are available in the Google Play store®, and about 1.8 million apps are available in the Apple App Store®. Google and Apple distribute nearly 70,000 apps each in the category Health and Fitness, and about 33,000 and 46,000 each in medical apps. It seems like the willingness to use mHealth apps is high and the intention to share data for health research is existing. This leads to one conclusion: the time for app-accompanied clinical trials (smartRCTs) has come. In this perspective article, we would like to point out the stones put in the way while trying to implement apps in clinical research. Further, we try to offer a glimpse of what the future of smartRCT research may hold.

Which eHealth interventions are most effective for smoking cessation? A systematic review

“…In 2016 there were an estimated 2.16 billion users with access to 70,000 health and fitness apps and 79,000 medical apps via the Apple App Store ® and Google Play store ® . 5 This revolution in technology also offers great opportunities for clinical research and interventions using mobile health, defined as “medical and public health practice supported by mobile devices”. 3 , 6 Mobile phone text messaging services have been piloted and implemented in some tobacco cessation programs.…”

Cancer clinical trials – Survey evaluating patient participation and acceptance in a university-based Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC)

“…Outsourcing these to primary care physicians and rural medical centers reduces travel time and costs for patients [12] , [13] . Here, data management and exchange are crucial so that the complete information is available in the leading clinic for scientific use [13] , [14] . In previous works, we discussed that telemedicine and even app-accompanied clinical trials (smartRCTs) could reduce overall costs and duration of clinical trials [14] .…”

“…Here, data management and exchange are crucial so that the complete information is available in the leading clinic for scientific use [13] , [14] . In previous works, we discussed that telemedicine and even app-accompanied clinical trials (smartRCTs) could reduce overall costs and duration of clinical trials [14] . Such new technologies can also be used to reduce personal presence during clinical visits [15] .…”

Mobile App Delivery of the EORTC QLQ-C30 Questionnaire to Assess Health-Related Quality of Life in Oncological Patients: Usability Study

“…Considering our previously published work on app use during cancer treatment [9][10][11], we specified primary functional requirements for the prototype listed in Table 1 will be generated and provided by the department; this method ensured pseudonymization…”