Mobile health applications designed for self-management of chronic pulmonary diseases in children and adolescents: a systematic mapping review

Abstract

Objective: Mobile health (mHealth) applications are scarce for children and adolescents with chronic pulmonary diseases (CPDs). This study aimed to map and describe the contents of the mHealth apps available for use in children and adolescents with CPDs. Methods: We performed a systematic mapping review of published scientific literature in PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library by February of 2023, using relevant keywords. Inclusion criteria were as follows: children aged < 18 years with CPDs; and studies published in English on mHealth apps. Results: A total number of 353 studies were found, 9 of which met the inclusion criteria. These studies described seven mHealth apps for Android and iOS, designed either for asthma (n = 5) or for cystic fibrosis (n = 2). Five content areas were identified: education/information; pharmacological treatment; emergency; support; and non-pharmacological treatment. The studies (4, 2, and 3, respectively) showed consistent findings using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies. Conclusions: This mapping review provided a guided selection of the most appropriate mHealth apps for use in children and adolescents with CPDs based on the needs of each target population. However, these mHealth apps have limited capabilities to reinforce disease self-management and provide information related to treatment compliance.

Exploring the Use of Mobile Health for the Rehabilitation of Long COVID Patients: A Scoping Review

“…In this review, we focused on COVID-19 patients, but such a kind of app can be used with patients suffering from other (chronic) respiratory conditions such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) [38], asthma [39], lung cancer [40], and cystic fibrosis [41]. Moreover, such a type of app can also be used with healthy subjects.…”