Table 1.
Detailed information of included studies.
| Authors and year | Country | Participants | Sample size | Names of apps | App functions | Intervention vs control | Duration | Outcomes |
| Mira et al [20], 2014 | Spain | Older patients taking multiple medications | N=99 (CGa: n=48; IGb: n=51) | ALICE |
Providing prescriptions and medical advice, showing medication images, and sending multiple reminders | mmAppc vs UCd | 3 months | Medication errors (CG: n=5, 10.4%; IG: n=8, 15.7%) and medication adherence (MMAS-4e) |
| Mira et al [21], 2015 | Spain | Older patients with multiple chronic diseases | N=61 (CG: n=30; IG: n=31) | TUMEDICIN | Providing information on the purpose of a given medicine, daily doses, possible adverse effects, and main cautions | mmApp vs UC | 3 months | Medication errors (CG: n=13, 43.3%; IG: n=6, 19.4%) |
| Wei et al [14], 2019 | China | Patients with pulmonary tuberculosis | N=300 (CG: n=l40; IG: n=160) | E-monitor Box and WeChat (Tencent Holdings Limited) | Monitoring patients’ adherence history and outpatient visits, reporting ADEsf, and reminding patients to take their medications | mmApp vs UC | 6 months | High medication adherence (CG: n=101, 72.1%; IG: n=96, 60%) |
| Agboola et al [15], 2014 | United States | Patients with renal cancer or prostate cancer |
N=150 (CG: n=76; IG: n=74) | CORAg | Providing coaching for self-efficacy in self-care and reporting and managing symptoms | mmApp vs UC | 3 months | Medication errors (CG: n=23, 30.3%; IG: n=14, 18.9%) and medication adherence (MMAS-8h) |
| Wilson et al [16], 2016 | Canada | Patients reporting adverse events after influenza vaccination | N=152 (CG: n=76; IG: n=76) | CANVAS | Reporting ADEs spontaneously and evaluating user experience | mmApp vs UC | 1 month | ADE reporting cases (CG: n=15, 19.7%; IG: n=35, 46.1%) |
| Montastruc et al [19], 2018 | France | Patients with chronic diseases | N=268 (CG: n=133; IG: n=135) | VigiBIP | Providing spontaneous reports of pharmacy vigilance and drug safety information | mmApp vs UC | 25 months | ADE reporting cases (CG: n=59, 44.4%; IG: n=94, 69.6%) |
| Defer et al [17], 2021 | France | Patients with multiple sclerosis | N=159 (CG: n=68; IG: n=91) | My eReport | Not mentioned | mmApp vs UC | 6 months | ADE reporting cases (CG: n=5, 7.4%; IG: n=43, 47.3%) and medication error cases (CG: n=3, 0.4%; IG: n=64, 70.3%) |
| Greer et al [18], 2020 | United States | Patients undergoing oral cancer therapy | N=166 (CG: n=86; IG: n=80) | Smartphone mobile app | Medication plans with reminders, a symptom reporting module, and patient education | mmApp vs UC | 3 months | High medication adherence cases (CG: n=66, 76.7%; IG: n=69, 86.3%) |
aCG: control group.
bIG: intervention group.
cmmApp: mobile medical app.
dUC: usual care (ie, did not use a mobile medical app).
eMMAS-4: Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-4 item.
fADE: adverse drug event.
gCORA: Chemotherapy Assistant.
hMMAS-8: Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 item.