Topic
mHealth research, explained
13 open-access mhealth studies, each with a flashcard deck and a quiz.
- SMS coaching for weight loss
Daily tailored text/MMS coaching produced about 2 kg more weight loss than print materials over 4 months in overweight adults.
- Can phone sensors flag how depressed someone is?
In 28 adults carrying a sensor phone for 2 weeks, less regular GPS movement and more phone use tracked higher PHQ-9 scores; normalized entropy classified any vs no depressive symptoms at 86.5% accuracy.
- Does a diabetes phone app lower blood sugar over a year?
A year of using a diabetes self-management phone app, with or without a short course of nurse phone counselling, did not lower long-term blood sugar more than usual care.
- Can an internet app cut college-student stress?
In 150 stressed college students, a 7-week internet- and app-based program (StudiCare Stress) reduced perceived stress versus waitlist (d=0.69), with 69% vs 35% stress responders (NNT=2.89).
- Woebot chatbot for substance use
An 8-week fully automated Woebot SUD program showed pre–post drops in substance use, cravings, depression, and anxiety in a single-group study.
- MoodGYM improves population wellbeing
In a large UK web RCT, automated MoodGYM raised mental well-being versus wait-list control despite high intervention attrition.
- Can an app plus Fitbit help COPD activity after rehab?
In a 30-person feasibility RCT, SMART-COPD plus a Fitbit was usable for some COPD patients after pulmonary rehab, but 47% withdrew—often because the tech was hard to use.
- Fitbit wear during an activity trial
Survivors wore Fitbits most days and roughly doubled ActiGraph MVPA over 12 weeks in the intervention arm.
- WeChat rehab helped COPD self-efficacy
A Chinese RCT used WeChat-supported personalized remote pulmonary rehab (PeR) to improve COPD patients’ self-efficacy, quality of life, and symptoms.
- Mobile Immediate Mood Scaler validation
A 22-item mobile Immediate Mood Scaler correlated strongly with standard PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores in 110 participants.
- Tech parenting program cut postpartum distress
A Singapore RCT found a technology-based supportive educational parenting program improved bonding and satisfaction while reducing postnatal depression and anxiety.
- Can phone movement data flag changes in depression before they happen?
When people's phones showed they were moving around less and visiting fewer places, their depression scores tended to rise afterwards, but changes in mood did not predict later changes in movement.
- Audio vs text produce-app RCT
A tailored mobile app’s audio messages raised fruit intake more than text or control, while vegetable intake showed no overall main effect.