New technologies for chronic disease management and control: a systematic review

Abstract

We conducted a systematic review of the clinical effectiveness of interventions using information and communication technologies (ICTs) for managing and controlling chronic diseases. Electronic databases were searched for randomized clinical trials that assessed the effectiveness of ICTs (except for those that included only telephone communication) and measured some clinical indicator. Information was reviewed and assessed independently by two researchers. Of the 950 clinical trials identified, 56 studies were identified for potential inclusion. Of those, 24 were finally included: 5 studies in asthma, 3 in hypertension, 1 in home telecare, 7 in diabetes, 6 in heart failure and 2 in prevention heart disease. Overall, ICT applications did not show an improvement in clinical outcomes, although no adverse effects were identified. However, ICTs used in the detection and follow up of cardiovascular diseases provided better clinical outcomes, mortality reduction and lower health services utilization. Systems used for improving education and social support were also shown to be effective. At present the evidence about the clinical benefits of ICTs for managing chronic disease is limited.

Effectiveness of telemedicine: A systematic review of reviews

“…Others [28] underlined that lack of evidence does not imply lack of effectiveness, and that in many cases interventions are simply 'unproven'. Caution is also urged by reviewers [59] who identified small numbers of heterogeneous studies in relation to chronic disease management. One review [60] found it impossible to draw any significant conclusions about the impact of interventions to promote ICT use by health care personnel.…”

Telecare Provides Comparable Efficacy to Conventional Self-Monitored Blood Glucose in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Titrating One Injection of Insulin Glulisine—the ELEONOR Study

“…[1][2][3] Moreover, telecare may increase patient and physician interaction, allowing for optimization of metabolic control, as indicated by recent meta-analyses of randomized trials of adult patients with type 1 diabetes. 3,4 The American Diabetes Association/European Association for the Study of Diabetes treatment algorithm recommends basal insulin for initiation of insulin treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes failing on oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs). 5 The Treating to Target in Type 2 Diabetes study 6 has shown that adding basal or prandial insulin regimens to OHAs is effective in improving glycemic control, more so than biphasic insulin; several other studies have also demonstrated the possibility of achieving good glycemic control with basal insulin.…”

Integration of public health and primary care: A systematic review of the current literature in primary care physician mediated childhood obesity interventions

“…Technologybased interventions have been found to be effective for diabetes interventions [30,31], chronic disease management [32] and to induce behavioural changes for better health [33]. Although technology-based interventions targeting weight loss have been conducted previously [34], the use of technology in PCP-mediated interventions is rarely seen.…”