Table 1.
Details of mobile health interventions of included studies.
| Study | Intervention description | Hardware provided | Stakeholder input described | Comparator intervention (as applicable) | Study quality appraisal scoresa | |
| Quantitative studies—randomized controlled trials | ||||||
|
|
Beentjes et al [37] | FindMyApps, a web-based selection tool and learning training program to help caregivers find user-friendly apps | Yes; tablet | No | Caregiver controls received a tablet but no FindMyApps training or access; received a list of links to websites with apps for people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment | 8/13 |
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|
Hastings et al [45] | Video-enhanced care management: a 14-week care management intervention that included 3 monthly video calls with nurses via a secure internet-based web-based meeting room | Yes; tablet | No | One group received the intervention (video); the comparator group received telephone-based care management | 5/13 |
|
|
Kales et al [46] | WeCareAdvisor, a web-based tool for family caregivers, which guided them through a clinical reasoning process to identify, monitor, and manage behaviors while addressing their motivation, self-efficacy, and problem-solving skills | Yes; tablet | No | Waitlist for the tool; this group received the tool 1 month later | 8/13 |
| Quantitative studies—quasi-experimental | ||||||
|
|
Davis et al [63] | TelePrompt, a tablet-based, prompted voiding and educational intervention to support caregivers of older adults with urinary incontinence | Yes; tablet | No | No comparison group; the study was described by authors as a quasi-experimental, single-group pre-post design | 6/9 |
|
|
Lai et al [44] | Telehealth delivered via videoconferencing platforms (apps) aimed at minimizing the possible negative impact of social distancing measures made necessary by the COVID-19 pandemic | No | No | Received a weekly care service via telephone covering information relevant to caregiving; did not receive the intervention of weekly health services delivered through video communication apps | 7/9 |
|
|
Park et al [64] | Comprehensive Mobile Application Program, a tool providing real-time support to families caring for patients with dementia by helping family caregivers manage behavior and psychological symptoms | No | No | Comparator intervention was a handbook that contained the same information as the mobile app | 5/9 |
|
|
Watcharasarnsap et al [42] | A mobile app system based on the reminiscence therapy framework; the app was developed to promote the relationship between caregivers and people with dementia and better the mental well-being of both parties | No | No | Control group did not use the intervention (no intervention) | 9/9 |
| Quantitative s tudies — other (ie, noncomparative) | ||||||
|
|
Callan et al [38] | A self-administered cognitive training intervention using an adaptive, paced serial attention task, targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which is implicated in regulating emotions, anxiety, and stress | Yes; handheld computer | No | N/Ab | 6/10 |
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|
Davis et al [43] | An e-mobile multimedia app for community-based dementia caregiver support, designed to offer reassurance, information, and services to caregivers and facilitate the implementation of other interventions by nurses and therapists | Yes; mobile phone | No | N/A | 1/10 |
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|
Ptomey et al [47] | A remotely delivered exercise intervention to increase moderate physical activity in caregivers | Yes; tablet | No | N/A | 4/10 |
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|
Quinn et al [48] | A mobile app designed to improve engagement of the patient-informal caregiver team; the mobile web-based app allowed older adult users to record social and health information and share this information with their caregivers | No | No | N/A | 4/10 |
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|
Lai et al [39] | A simple smartphone app for people with mild cognitive impairment and their family caregivers living in the community; the app supported communication with friends and family, navigation, and serving as a memory prompt and emergency alert system | Yes; mobile phone | No | N/A | 6/10 |
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|
Salin and Laaksonen [40] | A multicomponent intervention, including live broadcasts related to caregiver self-care exercises, informational videos, and videoconferencing web-based meetings to connect informal caregivers | Yes; tablet | Yes | N/A | 2/10 |
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|
Sourbeer et al [41] | A preliminary tablet app developed for the Behavioral and Environmental Sensing and Intervention for Dementia Caregiver Empowerment; the goal of this app is to support the early detection of signs of agitation, allowing caregivers to intervene early | Yes; tablet | No | N/A | 2/11 |
| Mixed methods studies | ||||||
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Banbury et al [56] | A telehealth peer-support program for isolated caregivers of people with dementia via group videoconferencing | Yes; not specified | No | N/A | 3/8 and 3/10 |
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|
Breebaart and van Groenou [57] | A groupware app for digital network communication to promote collaboration among informal and formal caregivers in a mixed care network of home-dwelling older adults | Yes; not specified | No | N/A | 1/10 and 3/10 |
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|
Brown et al [58] | CareHeroes, an app providing caregivers with a platform for bidirectional sharing of observations and knowledge with providers about care recipients and, in so doing, provide them with information and support for caregiving activities | No | Yes | N/A | 4/10 and 3/10 |
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Dam et al [59] | Inlife, a web-based social support platform for caregivers of individuals with dementia aiming to enhance positive interaction, involvement, and social support | No | No | Control group did not receive the intervention (waiting list) |
4/10 and 7/10 |
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Sikder et al [60] | A mobile app intervention delivering mentalizing imagery therapy (a guided imagery and mindfulness intervention) for family caregivers | No | No | N/A | 5/9 and 3/10 |
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Stutzel et al [61] | A mobile phone app, The Mobile System for Elderly Monitoring, which aimed to support caregivers in monitoring care recipients with functional loss and to improve support for caregivers’ communication with the health team | Yes; mobile phone | Yes | N/A | 5/10 and 7/10 |
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Tyack et al [62] | An art-based app intervention delivered via a touch screen tablet displaying art images aiming to stimulate and benefit the well-being of caregivers and care recipients with dementia | Yes; tablet | Yes | N/A | 6/9 and 8/10 |
| Qualitative studies | ||||||
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Garvelink et al [49] | A decision support website to inform caregivers about ways of staying independent at home for as long as possible, called Supporting Seniors and Caregivers to Stay Mobile at Home | No | No | N/A | 3/10 |
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Hughes et al [50] | A tablet app with multiple components, including games and a stress questionnaire for caregivers | No | Yes | N/A | 5/10 |
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Killin et al [51] | The Digital Support Platform, an internet-based, postdiagnostic support tool for families of individuals who had recently received a diagnosis of dementia | Yes; tablet | No | N/A | 6/10 |
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Rathnayake et al [52] | Mobile health apps used for health information seeking | No | No | N/A | 7/10 |
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Ruggiano et al [53] | CareIT, a multifunctional smartphone and web-based app designed to meet the education and support needs of caregivers; the app allowed caregivers to self-assess for depression and burden and linked caregivers to resources | Yes; mobile phone | Yes | N/A | 5/10 |
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Ryan et al [54] | InspireD—Individual Specific Reminiscence in Dementia, a personalized reminiscence program for family carers and people living with dementia | Yes; tablet | Yes | N/A | 10/10 |
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Span et al [55] | The DecideGuide, an interactive web tool that helps informal caregivers, people with dementia, and case managers make shared decisions | Yes; tablet | Yes | N/A | 5/10 |
aComplete quality appraisal tools and scores are presented in Multimedia Appendix 3.
bN/A: not applicable.