title: Do Mobile Phone Applications Improve Glycemic Control (HbA1c) in the Self-management of Diabetes? A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and GRADE of 14 Randomized Trials.
abstract: To investigate the effect of mobile phone applications (apps) on glycemic control (HbA1c) in the self-management of diabetes.
  
  
  
  Relevant studies that were published between 1 January 1996 and 1 June 2015 were searched from five databases: Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase. Randomized controlled trials that evaluated diabetes apps were included. We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis and GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) of the evidence.
  
  
  
  Participants from 14 studies (n = 1,360) were included and quality assessed. Although there may have been clinical diversity, all type 2 diabetes studies reported a reduction in HbA1c. The mean reduction in participants using an app compared with control was 0.49% (95% Cl 0.30, 0.68; I2= 10%), with a moderate GRADE of evidence. Subgroup analyses indicated that younger patients were more likely to benefit from the use of diabetes apps, and the effect size was enhanced with health care professional feedback. There was inadequate data to describe the effectiveness of apps for type 1 diabetes.
  
  
  
  Apps may be an effective component to help control HbA1cand could be considered as an adjuvant intervention to the standard self-management for patients with type 2 diabetes. Given the reported clinical effect, access, and nominal cost of this technology, it is likely to be effective at the population level. The functionality and use of this technology need to be standardized, but policy and guidance are anticipated to improve diabetes self-management care.
authors.affiliation: Division of Population Medicine, Cardiff University School of Medicine, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, U.K.
authors.forename: Can
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.affiliation: Division of Population Medicine, Cardiff University School of Medicine, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, U.K. ben.carter@kcl.ac.uk.|Cochrane Skin Group, School of Medicine, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, U.K.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: Division of Population Medicine, Cardiff University School of Medicine, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, U.K.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hewitt
authors.affiliation: Division of Population Medicine, Cardiff University School of Medicine, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, U.K.
authors.forename: Trevor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Francisa
authors.affiliation: Division of Population Medicine, Cardiff University School of Medicine, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, U.K.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mayor
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D040421:Cell Phone; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000628:therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000628:therapy*; D019468:Disease Management; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D063731:Mobile Applications; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012648:Self Care
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin