Table 1.
Characteristics of the 7 apps and systems.
| Author, year, reference | Country | App and technology characteristics | Theory and theoretical constructs | Personalization | Health literacy-related features |
| Garcia-Saez, 2014 [16] | Spain | MobiGuide (app) Patients’ data automatically collected by body area network or manually entered in app; decision support system generates feedback to patients and clinicians based on clinical guidelines. |
Reminders and advice generated to reinforce behaviors. | Patients’ compliance, BGa control, personal information, and preferred time of receiving reminders used to generate personalized reminders. | N/Ab |
| Bromuri, 2016 [28] | Switzerland | PHSc (app and Web) Patient’s side: Android app collects BG values, medication data, and symptoms. Caregiver’s side: a Web app, existing medical knowledge designed to provide alerts about the glycemic values to caregivers. |
N/A | Alerts based on patients’ BG control. | BG data visualization. |
| Garnweidner-Holme, 2015 [29] | Norway | Pregnant + (app) Auto transfers BG levels; gives immediate feedback on BG levels; provides information about healthy eating and PAd; prints BG records at their clinics; provides general information about GDMe. |
Health belief model used to develop content. | Culturally tailored dietary recommendations; information tailored to preference and prepregnancy PA level. | Content checked against Suitability Assessment of Materials and Kreuter’s message checklist to improve text and layout. A diabetes lexicon was used to explain medical jargon. BG data visualization. |
| Jo, 2016 [32] | South Korea | App generates common recommendations applicable to all GDM patients and tailored recommendations based on algorithms linking patients’ data and clinical guidelines. | N/A | Tailored recommendations based on BG, diet, PA, ketone, and weight. | N/A |
| Mackillop, 2014 [33] | United Kingdom | GDm-Health (system) Automatically uploads BGs from glucometer to app through Bluetooth and then to server; health care professionals have remote access; 2-way communication between women and health care professionals. |
N/A | Alerts generated by the system to health care providers based on frequency and reading of BG. | BG data visualization. |
| Kennelly, 2016 [36] | Ireland | Pears (app) Provides list of daily PA and behavioral tips, and a database of low glycemic index recipes. |
Control theory: SMARTf goals; social cognitive theory: barriers to change | Dietary advice and PA goals set at in-person education session with nutritionist or dietitian and obstetrician. | N/A |
| Skau, 2016 [38] | Malaysia | Jom Mama eHealth platform (app and Web) App incorporates personal goal setting, progress tracking, and general information on healthy lifestyles. A Web-based back-end interface can be accessed by CHPsg. |
Goal setting with CHPs and in the app, motivational interviewing techniques adopted by CHPs. | Personalized goal setting and follow-up with CHPs. The app provides interactive options allowing users to select lifestyle challenges. | Change in health literacy is a secondary end point. |
aBG: blood glucose.
bN/A: not applicable.
cPHS: personal health system.
dPA: physical activity.
eGDM: gestational diabetes mellitus.
fSMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time specific.
gCHP: community health promoter.