Effectiveness of mHealth Applications with Self-Monitoring Features on Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review with Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM)

Agung Rahmat Fauzi; Mahendro Prasetyo Kusumo

doi:10.56741/IISTR.jphs.002285

Authors

Agung Rahmat Fauzi
rfagung@gmail.com
Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta
Mahendro Prasetyo Kusumo Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6871-602X

Keywords:

Diabetes Mellitus, Glycemic Control, HbA1c, mHealth Application, Self-Monitoring

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a growing global health concern, and inadequate glycemic control increases the risk of long-term complications. This review evaluated the effectiveness of mobile health (mHealth) applications incorporating self-monitoring features on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and secondary outcomes among adults with type 2 diabetes receiving facility-based care. PubMed and ProQuest were searched for studies published from January 2021 to December 2025, supplemented by backward citation searching and verification on August 15, 2026. Completed quantitative studies were analyzed separately from ongoing trial protocols. Ten records were eligible: eight completed studies involving 1,207 participants across seven countries and two protocols. Owing to heterogeneous comparators, follow-up periods, and outcome reporting, together with missing dispersion estimates in five studies, findings were synthesized using Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) methods and an effect-direction plot. Six studies reported significant between-group HbA1c reductions ranging from 0.49 to 1.16 percentage points. One study found a within-group reduction without a between-group difference, while another reported no meaningful change (−0.11%, 95% CI −0.24 to 0.02). Larger improvements were observed descriptively in interventions combining applications with scheduled human support. Some studies also reported improvements in self-management behaviors, weight, blood pressure, and satisfaction, although measures varied. GRADE certainty was low for HbA1c and low to very low for secondary outcomes, primarily due to lack of blinding, attrition, and imprecision. Self-monitoring mHealth applications may modestly improve glycemic control when integrated into supported care, but evidence remains insufficient to identify the most effective intervention components.

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Author Biographies

Agung Rahmat Fauzi, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta

is a medical doctor and graduate student in the Master of Hospital Administration, Postgraduate Program, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Indonesia. His research interests include digital health, mobile health applications, non-communicable disease management, and healthcare quality improvement. (email: rfagung@gmail.com).

Mahendro Prasetyo Kusumo, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta

is a medical doctor and lecturer in the Master of Hospital Administration, Postgraduate Program, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Indonesia. His research interests include telehealth, IoT-based monitoring systems, non-communicable disease management, and hospital administration. (email: mahendro_prasetyo@umy.ac.id).

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