Tourkiah Alessa|Mark Hawley|Emma Everson-Hock|Luc de Witte
Smartphone Apps to Support Self-Management of Hypertension: Review and Content Analysis
King Saud University|University of Sheffield|University of Sheffield|University of Sheffield|University of Sheffield
hypertension widespread chronic disease effective treatment requires selfmanagement patients healthrelated apps provide effective way supporting hypertension selfmanagement however increasing range variety hypertension apps available market owing global growth apps creates need patients health care professionals informed effectiveness apps levels privacy security providethis study aimed describe assess available apps supporting hypertension selfmanagement popular app stores investigate functionalitiesin january 2018 uk apple google play stores scanned free paid apps supporting hypertension selfmanagement apps included english functionality supporting hypertension selfmanagement targeted adult users hypertension included apps downloaded functionalities investigated behavior change techniques bcts linked theoretical domain framework tdf underpinning potentially effective apps independently coded two reviewers data privacy security apps also independently assesseda total 186 hypertension apps met inclusion criteria included review majority apps one functionality n108 remainder offered different combinations functionalities small number apps comprehensive functionalities n30 likely effective supporting hypertension selfmanagement apps lacked clear theoretical basis 24 bcts identified 30 apps mapped 10 tdf mechanisms actions average 184 bcts mapped 6 tdf mechanisms actions may support hypertension selfmanagement behaviors concerning absence evidence related effectiveness usability 186 apps involvement health care professionals app development process minimal apps meet current standards data security privacydespite widespread accessibility availability smartphone apps range combinations functionalities support selfmanagement hypertension small number apps likely effective many apps lack security measures well clear theoretical basis provide evidence concerning effectiveness usability raises serious issue health professionals hypertension insufficient information make decisions apps safe effective