An integrative review and theoretical examination of chronic illness mHealth studies using the Middle-Range Theory of Self-care of Chronic Illness

Self-management, or self-care, by individuals and/or families is a critical element in chronic illness management as more care shifts to the home setting. Mobile device-enhanced health care, or mHealth, is being touted as a means to support self-care. Previous mHealth reviews examined the effect of mHealth on patient outcomes, however, none used a theoretical lens to examine the interventions themselves. The aims of this integrative review were to examine recent (e.g., last 10 years) chronic illness mHealth empiric studies and (1) categorize self-care behaviors engaged in the intervention according to the Middle-Range Theory of Self-care of Chronic Illness, and (2) conduct an analysis of gaps in self-care theory domains and behaviors utilized. Methods included: (1) Best practice study identification, collection, and data extraction procedures and (2) realist synthesis techniques for within and across case analysis. From a pool of 652 records, 33 primarily North American clinical trials, published between 2010 and 2019 were examined. Most mHealth interventions used apps, clinician contact, and behavioral prompts with some wireless devices. Examination found self-care maintenance behaviors were supported in most (n = 30) trials whereas self-care monitoring (n = 12) and self-care management behaviors (n = 8) were less so. Few trials (n = 2) targeted all three domains. Investigation of specific behaviors uncovered an overexamination of physical activity and diet behaviors and an underexamination of equally important behaviors. By examining chronic illness mHealth interventions using a theoretical lens we have categorized current interventions, conducted a gap analysis uncovering areas for future study, and made recommendations to move the science forward.