Published on in Vol 24, No 11 (2022): November

Preprints (earlier versions) of this paper are available at https://preprints.jmir.org/preprint/35508, first published .
Interactive Remote Patient Monitoring Devices for Managing Chronic Health Conditions: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Interactive Remote Patient Monitoring Devices for Managing Chronic Health Conditions: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Interactive Remote Patient Monitoring Devices for Managing Chronic Health Conditions: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Review

1Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom

2Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool and Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom

3School of Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom

4Department of Musculoskeletal Ageing, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom

5See acknowledgements

Corresponding Author:

Deirdre A Lane, BSc, PhD

Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine

Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

University of Liverpool

William Henry Duncan Building

6 West Derby Street

Liverpool, L7 8TX

United Kingdom

Phone: 44 01517949334

Email: Deirdre.Lane@liverpool.ac.uk


Background: Telemedicine is an expanding and feasible approach to improve medical care for patients with long-term conditions. However, there is a poor understanding of patients’ acceptability of this technology and their rate of uptake.

Objective: The aim of this study was to systematically review the current evidence on telemonitoring in the management of patients with long-term conditions and evaluate the patients’ uptake and acceptability of this technology.

Methods: MEDLINE, Scopus, and CENTRAL (the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched from the date of inception to February 5, 2021, with no language restrictions. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported any of the following outcomes: intervention uptake and adherence; study retention; patient acceptability, satisfaction, and experience using the intervention; changes in physiological values; all-cause and cardiovascular-related hospitalization; all-cause and disease-specific mortality; patient-reported outcome measures; and quality of life. In total, 2 reviewers independently assessed the articles for eligibility.

Results: A total of 96 studies were included, and 58 (60%) were pooled for the meta-analyses. Meta-analyses showed a reduction in mortality (risk ratio=0.71, 95% CI 0.56-0.89; P=.003; I2=0%) and improvements in blood pressure (mean difference [MD]=−3.85 mm Hg, 95% CI −7.03 to −0.68; P=.02; I2=100%) and glycated hemoglobin (MD=−0.33, 95% CI −0.57 to −0.09; P=.008; I2=99%) but no significant improvements in quality of life (MD=1.45, 95% CI −0.10 to 3; P=.07; I2=80%) and an increased risk of hospitalization (risk ratio=1.02, 95% CI 0.85-1.23; P=.81; I2=79%) with telemonitoring compared with usual care. A total of 12% (12/96) of the studies reported adherence outcomes, and 9% (9/96) reported on satisfaction and acceptance outcomes; however, heterogeneity in the assessment methods meant that a meta-analysis could not be performed.

Conclusions: Telemonitoring is a valid alternative to usual care, reducing mortality and improving self-management of the disease, with patients reporting good satisfaction and adherence. Further studies are required to address some potential concerns regarding higher hospitalization rates and a lack of positive impact on patients’ quality of life.

Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42021236291; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=236291

J Med Internet Res 2022;24(11):e35508

doi:10.2196/35508

Keywords



Background

In the United Kingdom, 15 million people live with at least one long-term condition [1], with their care accounting for 70% of the National Health Service budget [1]. Those with long-term conditions have significantly reduced quality of life (QoL) as well as an increased risk of morbidity and mortality [2,3]. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the most common chronic conditions worldwide [4]. Lack of care coordination [5,6] and care planning consultation [5,6] are among the common barriers that patients with long-term conditions face. In addition, the restrictions induced by the COVID-19 pandemic have amplified the challenges that people living with chronic diseases experience in terms of managing their health and accessing health care [7].

Advances in technology have the potential to support patients with long-term conditions in managing their health at home, making the provision of remote health care more accessible and efficient [8]. Web-based health care and telemedicine include the remote delivery of care using communication technology (eg, videoconference software, web-based applications, and home-based health measurement) to enable consultations between patients and their care team, providing continuous monitoring of relevant health parameters. This allows health care professionals to promptly respond to changes in patient health status and adapt their clinical management in real time [9].

Objectives

Recent evidence has deemed telemedicine feasible for patients with long-term conditions and effective in terms of improving medical care [10]. As telemedicine is a rapidly expanding and changing field, recent umbrella reviews [10,11] that consider older primary studies have potentially made conclusions based on noncontemporary data. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to update and expand the current literature on telemonitoring by better defining the interventions included to encompass the role that interactive, 2-way communication devices play in improving the care of patients with long-term conditions, as well as evaluate patient uptake and acceptability of this technology.


Overview

This systematic review was registered on PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; CRD42021236291) and conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines [12].

This review aimed to address the following research questions: (1) What is the rate of uptake, patient retention, and patient satisfaction when using 2-way (patient-health care provider) remote patient monitoring devices to manage chronic health conditions? (2) What factors are associated with patient retention and satisfaction when using 2-way (patient-health care provider) remote patient monitoring devices to manage chronic health conditions? (3) Does the use of 2-way (patient-health care provider) remote patient monitoring devices for the management of chronic health conditions affect patient outcomes (eg, changes in physiological measurements, QoL, all-cause and cardiovascular-related hospitalizations, and all-cause and disease-specific mortality)?

Criteria for Considering Studies to Include in the Review

Studies carried out in any setting aiming to evaluate telemonitoring interventions for participants with at least one chronic condition among the following—cardiovascular disease, COPD, or diabetes mellitus—were eligible for inclusion. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and nonrandomized trials, before-and-after (pre-post) studies, and interrupted time series were considered for inclusion. Cross-sectional studies and case reports were excluded. Qualitative studies were included to assess participant satisfaction. Ongoing studies (if any) were also considered and presented in a dedicated table.

Participants

Adult participants (aged ≥18 years) were eligible for inclusion in this review if they reported one or more of the following chronic health conditions: cardiovascular diseases (eg, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, stroke, heart failure, and hypertension), COPD, or diabetes mellitus.

Intervention

Interventions designed to remotely collect health information from patients using digital technologies and electronically transfer the information to health care professionals for monitoring and assessment were eligible for inclusion. Only interventions where the participant received a digital device for remote patient monitoring and the participant or their caregiver took physiological measurements and either input the information into the device or the device automatically uploaded the data were included. Health devices suitable for inclusion had to transmit data to the participant’s health care team, and the participant’s health care team had to monitor the information received, assessing it and making appropriate changes to the participant’s treatment accordingly. A 2-way exchange of information was required for a study to be included.

Comparator

Studies in which usual care or a different intervention was used as control or comparator were also considered as eligible for inclusion, as were studies that did not have a control group.

Outcomes

The primary outcomes of interest were (1) intervention uptake (number of people willing to participate in the intervention) and adherence (level of commitment of the patient to the prescribed intervention); (2) study retention (number of people who completed the intervention); and (3) patient acceptability (level of acceptance of the intervention by the participants), satisfaction (number of participants pleased with the intervention), and experience using the intervention. Secondary outcomes included (1) changes in physiological measurements (eg, oxygen saturation, blood pressure [BP], and blood glucose level); (2) all-cause and cardiovascular-related hospitalizations; (3) all-cause and disease-specific mortality; (4) patient-reported outcome measures (eg, mental well-being, depression, and anxiety questionnaires); and (5) QoL, quality-adjusted life years, and any other health economic outcomes reported in the studies. All the studies that reported one or more of these outcomes were considered eligible for inclusion.

Search Strategy

The search strategy was developed by the review team, which agreed on the key terms. Medical Subject Headings terms and synonyms for the different terms, such as “telemedicine,” “digital monitoring,” and “e-health” (Table S1 in Multimedia Appendix 1 [13-163]), were used and combined with Boolean operators, proximity operators, truncations, and wildcards. MEDLINE, Scopus, and CENTRAL (the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched from the date of inception to February 5, 2021, for relevant studies. There were no language restrictions, but the availability of the full text was a requirement for inclusion. Search results were managed using EndNote (version X9.3.3; Clarivate Analytics).

Study Selection

Two reviewers (MC and DGL) independently screened the titles and abstracts of the studies retrieved from the databases against the search criteria. Additional screening of the preliminary results was independently undertaken by 3 other reviewers (BB, SH, and MI). The full texts of all potentially relevant articles were retrieved and independently assessed by the reviewers in duplicate. Any disagreement was resolved through discussion with the senior author (DL).

Data Extraction

Data extraction was conducted independently by 2 reviewers (DGL and MC). The following information was extracted: (1) authors, year, country, and reference; (2) study aim; (3) study characteristics (study design and sample size); (4) participant characteristics (age, sex, and ethnicity); (5) health condition; (6) intervention (type of telemedicine device, input of the data [manual or automated], delivery of the intervention, staff involved, duration and frequency of the intervention, and follow-up points); (7) comparators (usual care, different intervention, or no intervention); and (8) outcomes (primary and secondary, as reported in the study).

Risk of Bias Assessment

Six authors (DGL, MC, BB, SH, MI, and DL) independently assessed the individual studies for risk of bias in duplicate, and any discrepancies were resolved via discussion or referral to a third reviewer, as required. For RCTs, the Cochrane Risk of Bias version 2 tool [164] was used. For nonrandomized studies, the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions [165] was used.

Data Synthesis

Meta-analyses were conducted on comparable studies. Primary and secondary outcome effect measures with 95% CIs were pooled using the RevMan software (The Cochrane Collaboration) [166]. The results are presented visually using forest plots. Where continuous data were not homogeneous, an estimate of the standardized mean difference (MD) with 95% CIs was calculated. For studies in which quantitative data were too few or too heterogeneous, a narrative synthesis approach was used.

Dichotomous analyses were conducted using the number of events and total sample size as reported in the included studies. The results of the selected studies were combined using the Mantel-Haenszel method. Effect sizes are expressed as relative risk and 95% CIs. Random effect models were applied to all meta-analyses owing to heterogeneity in study characteristics and populations. Heterogeneity was quantitatively assessed using the Higgins index (I2).

For the analysis of QoL, the postintervention scores, as reported in the included studies, were used. Where the SD was not reported, it was calculated using the calculator function available in RevMan. For analysis of changes in physiological parameters (BP and glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c]) and QoL, the results of the selected studies were combined using the generic inverse variance method. Effect sizes are expressed as the MD and SD.

Findings from the included qualitative studies will be synthesized elsewhere using a meta-aggregative approach to data synthesis.


Overview

The database searches identified 10,401 papers. After independent screening of titles and abstracts by 2 study authors, 98.77% (10,273/10,401) of papers were determined to be duplicates or not eligible. After screening against the inclusion and exclusion criteria, of the remaining 128 papers, 96 (75%) were included. No ongoing studies were found (Figure 1). A full list of the excluded studies with reasons for exclusion is provided in Table S2 in Multimedia Appendix 1. Full texts of all 96 included papers [13-109] were retrieved.

No study reporting outcomes related to intervention uptake, study retention, and patient acceptability were identified in our search and, therefore, these outcomes could not be analyzed. The following analyses and results concern only patient adherence and satisfaction as well as clinical and patient-reported outcomes.

Figure 1. PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) diagram depicting the screening and study selection process.
View this figure

Characteristics of the Included Studies

The included studies were published between 1998 and 2020, with sample sizes ranging from 20 [36,99] to 3562 [102] participants and a total sample of 26,167 participants. The mean age ranged from 44 [22] to 78 [107] years, and the proportion of men varied from 25% [51] to 76% [91]. Most of the included studies were conducted in the United Kingdom (21/96, 22%) and the United States (29/96, 30%), with additional studies conducted in Belgium (2/96, 2%), Canada (4/96, 4%), Denmark (5/96, 5%), Poland (2/96, 2%), Singapore (2/96, 2%), South Korea (2/96, 2%), Spain (9/96, 9%), Germany (4/96, 4%), and Italy (6/96, 6%; Multimedia Appendix 2 [13-109,136]). In addition, the following countries had 1% (1/96) of the studies each: Australia [37], China [99], Finland [106], Greece [49], Hong Kong [28], Israel [14], Japan [66], Malaysia [67], the Netherlands [25], and Taiwan [29] (Multimedia Appendix 2).

Populations in the included studies comprised patients with diabetes (27/96, 28% of the studies), cardiovascular disease (stroke, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and heart failure; 52/96, 54% of the studies), COPD (12/96, 12% of the studies), and mixed chronic conditions (diabetes, hypertension, and COPD; 5/96, 5% of the studies; Multimedia Appendix 2).

Types of Interventions

The studies varied in their design, type of telemonitoring system used, and method of delivery (Multimedia Appendix 2). Most (64/96, 67%) were RCTs, with 4% (4/96) being nonrandomized controlled studies, 2% (2/96) being cluster randomized studies, 10% (10/96) being longitudinal studies, 4% (4/96) being retrospective analyses, 3% (3/96) being pre-post analyses, and 9% (9/96) having a mixed methods or qualitative design. Most studies (88/96, 92%) used telemonitoring systems that collected patient information via computers, tablets, or dedicated devices (eg, modem) and transferred these data to a web-based server. Some studies collected patient data via SMS text message (3/96, 3%) or by telephone (4/96, 4%). A total of 4% (4/96) of the studies provided educational videos to increase the patients’ knowledge of the disease. The length of the intervention was highly variable, with 5% (5/96) of the studies assessing it over a short period (7-45 days), 21% (20/96) assessing it over a 2- to 4-month period, and most interventions (76/96, 79%) lasting 6 to 12 months. The follow-up periods were inconsistent among the studies and, where present, ranged from 3 to 18 months.

Types of Comparators

Most studies (79/96, 82%) compared the intervention with usual care, which consisted of routine visits (outpatient clinics) and in-person consultations with general practitioners or the hospital care team (Multimedia Appendix 2). A total of 10% (10/96) of the studies did not have a control group. A total of 1% (1/96) of the studies asked the control group to manually record their data in a diary. In total, 2% (2/96) of the studies used educational videos in the control group to improve patients’ knowledge of the disease, another 2% (2/96) compared the intervention with another telemonitoring device, and 1% (1/96) compared the intervention (telemonitoring device) with telephone communication. A total of 1% (1/96) of the studies used a similar intervention as the control group comparing patients with and without heart failure.

Types of Outcomes

In total, 12 studies reported adherence to the intervention, including 9 (75%) in patients with cardiovascular disease, 2 (17%) in patients with diabetes, and 1 (8%) in patients with COPD (Multimedia Appendix 2). Patient satisfaction with the intervention was assessed in 9% (9/96) of the studies (2/9, 22% in patients with cardiovascular disease; 3/9, 33% in patients with diabetes; 2/9, 22% in patients with COPD; and 2/9, 22% in a mixed population; Multimedia Appendix 2).

Most studies (31/96, 32%) reported changes in physiological parameters, which varied depending on the population observed, with 39% (12/31) of these studies reporting BP values for patients with cardiovascular disease, 55% (17/31) reporting HbA1c values for patients with diabetes, and 6% (2/31) reporting multiple physiological values in mixed populations (Multimedia Appendix 2).

Hospital admission during the intervention was recorded in 29% (28/96) of the studies (21/28, 75% in patients with cardiovascular disease; 4/28, 14% in patients with COPD; and 3/28, 11% in a mixed sample), and death was noted in 18% (17/96) of the studies (14/17, 82% in patients with cardiovascular disease; 2/17, 12% in patients with COPD; and 1/17, 6% in a mixed population; Multimedia Appendix 2).

QoL before and after the intervention was recorded in 22% (21/96) of the studies (11/21, 52% in patients with cardiovascular disease; 2/21, 10% in patients with diabetes; 6/21, 29% in patients with COPD; and 2/21, 10% in a mixed population; Multimedia Appendix 2).

Excluded Studies

A total of 25% (32/128) of the studies assessed for eligibility [110-141] were excluded. A summary of these studies can be found in Table S2 in Multimedia Appendix 1. Most (18/32, 56%) were excluded as they were not related to a telemonitoring intervention, 6% (2/32) included disease populations not covered in this review, 31% (10/32) reported outcomes outside the scope of this review, 3% (1/32) were literature reviews, and 3% (1/32) were study protocols.

Risk of Bias Assessment

A summary of the risk of bias assessment of the included studies can be found in Tables S3-S5 in Multimedia Appendix 1. Overall, most RCTs (48/66, 73%) and non-RCTs (17/20, 85%) included in this review showed either some concerns or a high risk of bias. Most RCT studies (45/66, 68%) showed either some concerns or a high risk of bias in the randomization process as well as in the selection of the reported results. Some RCTs (18/66, 27%) showed either some concerns or a high risk of bias in missing outcome data. Few RCTs (17/66, 26%) showed either some concerns or a high risk of bias in the measurement of the outcomes.

Most of the non-RCTs (18/20, 90%) showed either some concerns or a high risk of bias in the bias due to confounding category. A total of 50% (10/20) of the studies showed either some concerns or a high risk of bias in the bias in measurement of outcomes category. Few of the non-RCTs (9/20, 45%) showed either some concerns or a high risk of bias in the bias due to missing data category as well as in the bias due to deviations from the intended intervention category.

The studies included in the meta-analyses were assessed for publication bias. Funnel plots and Egger tests were performed only where ≥10 studies were available [167].

Funnel plots for the outcomes of systolic BP (SBP), HbA1c, and mortality can be found in Figures S1-S6 in Multimedia Appendix 1. The Egger test results revealed no evidence of publication bias for SBP, HbA1c, or mortality.

Ongoing Studies

The database search did not return any protocols for ongoing studies. Searches on ClinicalTrials.gov (updated to February 5, 2021) identified 22 ongoing studies [142-163] (n=14, 64% on patients with cardiovascular disease; n=4, 18% on patients with diabetes; and n=4, 18% on patients with COPD), which are reported in detail in Table S6 in Multimedia Appendix 1.

Primary Outcomes

Adherence

Adherence was assessed in 12 studies at different time points: 1 month (n=3, 25%) [51,66,84], 6 weeks (n=2, 17%) [58,103], 2 months (n=1, 8%) [13], 3 months (n=1, 8%) [30], 6 months (n=4, 33%) [42,48,59,92], and 12 months (n=1, 8%) [36]. Of the 12 studies, 7 (58%) [13,36,42,48,58,59,92] demonstrated a benefit of telemonitoring on patient adherence when compared with a comparator, whereas 4 (33%) [30,51,66,84] showed no difference when compared with a comparator. A total of 8% (1/12) of the studies [103] compared 2 telemonitoring systems and showed that educational support combined with telemonitoring positively influenced adherence compared with telemonitoring alone. Owing to variations in how adherence was defined in the studies, a meta-analysis was not performed. A summary of these studies is presented in Table 1.

Table 1. Studies examining the impact of telemonitoring interventions versus comparator on adherence (N=12).
Study type and authors, year, and countryStudy population, NConditionIntervention type, number of participants, age (years), men (n [%])Comparator, number of participants, age (years), mean (n [%])OutcomesFollow-upImpact of telemonitoring
Randomized controlled trials

Ong et al [84], 2016, United States1437CHFaAutomated upload of data on dedicated device or software, 715, mean 73 (SD not reported), men: 382 (53.4); women: 333 (46.6)Usual care, 722, mean 73 (SD not reported), men: 382 (53.4); women: 333 (46.6)Adherence electronically recorded; 82.7%1 month=b

Gallagher et al [51], 2017, United States40HFcManual upload of data on dedicated device or software, 20, median 68 (IQR 49-79), men: 15 (75); women: 5 (25)Usual care, 20, median 62 (IQR 52-75), men: 15 (75); women: 5 (25)Adherence recorded electronically; 81% in both groups1 month=

Kotooka et al [66], 2018, Japan183CHFAutomated upload of data on dedicated device or software, 93, mean 67.1 (SD 12.8), men: 51 (56); women: 39 (44)Usual care, 91, mean 65.4 (SD 15.6), men: 56 (61); women: 35 (39)Adherence recorded electronically; 90% at 12 months12 months=

Varon et al [103], 2015, United Kingdom534HFDocobo system (telemonitoring only), 135, mean 69.1 (SD 12.6), not reportedMotiva system (telemonitoring+ educational videos), 399, mean 69.1 (SD 12.6), not reportedAdherence assessed by the amount of missing data during the telemonitoring period6 weeksd

Kardas et al [58], 2016, Poland60Type 2 diabetesAutomated upload of data on dedicated device or software, 30, mean 59.9 (SD 5.31), men: 17 (57); women: 13 (43)Usual care, 30, mean 59 (SD 8.9), men: 19 (63); women: 11 (47)Adherence expressed as medication taken vs medication prescribed; 92.9%6 weeks+e

Cho et al [30], 2009, South Korea69Type 2 diabetesMobile app, 35, mean 51.1 (SD 13.1), 26 men; 74 womenfWeb-based telemonitoring system, 34, mean 51.1 (SD 13.1), 26 men; 74 womenfAdherence, self-reported; >70% in both groups3 months=

Seto et al [92], 2012, Canada100CHFAutomated upload of data on dedicated device or software, 50, mean 55.1 (SD 13.7), men: 41 (82); women: 9 (18)Usual care, 50, mean 52.3 (SD 13.7), men: 38 (76); women: 12 (24)Adherence registered electronically; 80%6 months+

Evans et al [48], 2016, United States441HF and healthyDisease group: automated upload of data on dedicated device or software, 421, mean 71.8 (SD 8.8), 46 men; 54 womenfHealthy group: automated upload of data on dedicated device or software, 20, mean 72.2 (SD 4.3), 50 men; 50 womenfAdherence checking the amount of data against the participants’ time spent in the study; between 71% and 81%6 months+
Nonrandomized studies

Agboola et al [13], 2013, United States30HypertensionWeb-based device, 15, mean 61.9 (SD not reported), 20 men; 80 womenfMobile blood pressure device, 15, mean 61.6 (SD not reported), 20 men; 80 womenfAdherence recorded electronically based on frequency of data transmission2 months+

Domingo et al [42], 2012, Spain97HFAutomated upload of data on dedicated device or software, 46, mean 66.5 (SD 11.5), men: 14 (30); women: 32 (70)Usual care, 51, mean 66.5 (SD 11.5), men: 15 (30); women: 36 (70)Adherence based on the number of educational videos watched; between 67% and 85%6 months+

Karg et al [59], 2012, Germany36COPDgAutomated upload of data on dedicated device or software, 36, mean 67.9 (SD 6.9), men: 27 (75); women: 9 (25)N/AhAdherence: use of the device for at least two-thirds of working days; full compliance6 months+

De Lusignan et al [36], 2001, United Kingdom20CHFManual upload of data on dedicated device or software, 10, mean 75.2 (SD not reported), not reportedUsual care, 10, mean 75.2 (SD not reported), not reportedAdherence based on the frequency of the uploaded data; 90%12 months+

aCHF: congestive heart failure.

bNo differences between telemonitoring and usual care.

cHF: heart failure.

dNegative impact of telemonitoring over comparator.

ePositive impact of telemonitoring over comparator.

fAbsolute value not reported in the paper.

gCOPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

hN/A: not applicable.

Satisfaction

Patient satisfaction with the intervention was assessed in 9 studies (n=2, 22% in patients with cardiovascular disease; n=3, 33% in patients with diabetes; n=2, 22% in patients with COPD; and n=2, 22% in a mixed population; Table 2). A total of 56% (5/9) of the studies [22,28,42,78,91] demonstrated a benefit of telemonitoring on patient satisfaction when compared with a comparator, whereas 44% (4/9) [30,43,44,95] showed no difference when compared with a comparator. Owing to variations in how satisfaction was defined in the studies, a meta-analysis was not performed. A summary of these studies is provided in Table 2.

Table 2. Studies examining the impact of telemonitoring interventions versus comparator on satisfaction (N=9).
Study type and authors, year, and countryStudy population, NConditionIntervention type, number of participants, age (years), mean (n [%])Comparator, number of participants, age (years), mean (n [%])OutcomesFollow-upImpact of telemonitoring
Randomized controlled trials

Bergenstal et al [22], 2005, United States47Type 2 diabetesAutomated data transmitted via modem, 24, mean 44 (SD 17), 37 men; 63 womenaData transmitted via telephone, 23, mean 45 (SD 13), 39 men; 61 womenaSatisfaction: 5-point questionnaire; 4.30 in the phone group and 4.52 in the modem group4 weeks=b

Chau et al [28], 2012, Hong Kong40COPDcManual upload of data on dedicated device or software, 22, mean 73.5 (SD 6), men: 21 (95); women: 1 (5)Usual care, 18, mean 72.2 (SD 6), men: 18 (100); women: 0 (0)Satisfaction: 10-item questionnaire based on a 5-point system; 91%2 months+d

Edmonds et al [44], 1998, Canada35Type 2 diabetesMobile phone data transmission, 16, not reported, not reportedUsual care, 19, not reported, not reportedSatisfaction: patient questionnaire3 monthsFurther studies required

Cho et al [30], 2009, South Korea69Type 2 diabetesMobile app, 35, mean 51.1 (SD 13.1), 26 men; 74 womenaWeb-based telemonitoring system, 34, mean 51.1 (SD 13.1), 26 men; 74 womenaSatisfaction: questionnaire, internet vs phone; 81% vs 79%, respectively3 months=

Sicotte et al [95], 2011, Canada46COPDManual upload of data on dedicated device or software, 23, mean 73.7 (SD 9.6), men: 13 (56); women: 10 (44)Usual care, 23, mean 75.4 (SD 9.7), men: 13 (56); women: 10 (44)Satisfaction: 5-point questionnaire; 4.50 score3 months=

Domingo et al [42], 2012, Spain97HFeAutomated upload of data on dedicated device or software, 46, mean 66.5 (SD 11.5), men: 14 (30); women: 32 (70)Usual care, 51, mean 66.5 (SD 11.5), men: 15 (30); women: 36 (70)Satisfaction: 10-point questionnaire; 8.4 score6 months+
Nonrandomized studies

Schoenfeld et al [91], 2004, United States59CHFfManual upload of data on dedicated device or software, 59, mean 64 (SD 14), men: 45 (76); women: 14 (24)N/AgSatisfaction: 3-point questionnaire; 98.1% indicating ease of use of the device7 days+

Donate-Martinez et al [43], 2016, Spain74Chronic conditions (COPD, type 2 diabetes, and HF)Manual upload of data on dedicated device or software, 74, mean 67.95 (SD 11.14), men: 49 (66); women: 25 (44)N/ASatisfaction: 11-item questionnaire with 10-point score; 8.63 score overall12 months=

Mira-Solves et al [77], 2014, Spain410Chronic conditions (type 2 diabetes, hypertension, CHF, and COPD)Automated upload of data on dedicated device or software, 410, not reported, 64 men; 36 womenaN/ASatisfaction: questionnaire, 89.4% were satisfied with the ease of use.24 months+

aAbsolute value not reported in the paper.

bNo differences between telemonitoring and usual care.

cCOPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

dPositive impact of telemonitoring over comparator.

eHF: heart failure.

fCHF: congestive HF.

gN/A: not applicable.

Secondary Outcomes

QoL Measurement

Studies included in the meta-analyses were pooled by comparable scales (eg, the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire) and end points (eg, 6 or 12 months), with 8% (8/96) of the studies [16,31,33,35,47,96,101,104] included in the meta-analyses.

A total of 50% (4/8) of these studies [16,31,35,104] reported the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire scores (mental and physical) at comparable end points (12 months) and were included in the meta-analyses (Figure 2 [15,31,35,47,96,101,104,136], subgroups 1.9.3 and 1.9.4). From the meta-analysis, telemonitoring showed greater improvements compared with usual care on physical component scores (weighted MD=3.72, 95% CI 1.73-5.70; P<.001; I2=51%; Figure 2) compared with the comparator but no difference in mental component scores (weighted MD=1.06, 95% CI −0.12 to 2.25; P=.08; I2=0%; Figure 3 [15,39,40,50,60,64,84,96,101,105,107]).

In total, 25% (2/8) of the studies [96,101] reported EQ-5D scores at comparable end points (12 months) and were included in the meta-analysis (Figure 2, subgroup 1.9.1). There was no difference in QoL between the groups (weighted MD=0.01, 95% CI −0.04 to 0.06; P=.71; I2=0%)

A total of 25% (2/8) of the studies [33,47] using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire overall scores at 3 months were included in the meta-analysis (Figure 2, subgroup 1.9.2), demonstrating that the telemonitoring group showed greater improvements in QoL (weighted MD=−7.42, 95% CI −13.45 to −1.39; P=.02; I2=0%) compared with the comparator.

A total of 14% (13/96) of the studies [20,23,36,43,58,62,65,70,92,100,103,107,108] could not be included in the meta-analysis because they reported different time points and used different questionnaires to assess QoL. Of these 13 studies, 4 (31%) reported a significant improvement in QoL in the telemonitoring group compared with usual care at 6 weeks [58], 6 months [92,100], and 12 months [43] measured using a variety of questionnaires (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire [92], EQ-5D [43,58], and 15D [100]), whereas 9 (69%) reported no difference in QoL between telemonitoring and usual care at 4 weeks [70], 6 weeks [65,103], 7 weeks [70], 3 months [36], 6 months [23,62,107], 9 months [108], and 12 months [36]. A total of 8% (1/13) of the studies [20] reported significant improvement in QoL in the usual care group compared with telemonitoring at 2 and 6 months using the St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire.

Figure 2. Impact of telemonitoring versus comparator on quality of life (QoL). 1.9.1: EQ-5D; 1.9.2: Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ); 1.9.3: SF-36 mental score; and 1.9.4: SF-36 physical component [15,31,35,47,96,101,104,136].
View this figure
Figure 3. Impact of telemonitoring versus comparator on the mortality rate at 6 and 12 months. The study by Mortara et al [80] was not included in the mortality meta-analyses because of the use of a composite outcome of mortality and hospitalization where absolute mortality results were not available. The study by Seto et al [92] was not included in the mortality meta-analyses because of 0 events in the control group [15,39,40,50,60,64,84,96,101,105,107].
View this figure
Mortality

Meta-analyses for mortality were conducted at the 6- and 12-month follow-up (Figure 3). Sensitivity analyses were conducted at the 6- and 12-month follow-up excluding studies at high risk of bias and at 12 months excluding non-RCTs (Figure S1 in Multimedia Appendix 1). A sensitivity analysis with the exclusion of non-RCTs at 6 months was not conducted as all the studies included were RCTs.

A total of 11 studies contributed to the all-cause mortality meta-analysis: 4 (36%) [39,50,84,107] (N=2056) provided data at 6 months, and 7 (64%) [16,40,61,64,96,101,105] (N=2578) provided data at 12 months. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality between telemonitoring and the comparator at 6 months (risk ratio [RR]=0.86, 95% CI 0.68-1.07; P=.18; I2=35%; Figure 3). This finding was consistent when studies evaluated as having a high risk of bias were excluded (Figure S1 in Multimedia Appendix 1). There was a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality with telemonitoring than with the comparator at 12 months (RR=0.71, 95% CI 0.56-0.89; P=.003; I2=0%; Figure 3). This finding was consistent following the exclusion of non-RCTs and studies evaluated as having a high risk of bias (Figure S1 in Multimedia Appendix 1).

Hospitalization

Meta-analyses for hospitalization at the 6- and 12-month follow-up were conducted (Figure 4 [23,25,34,52,80,83]), with sensitivity analyses excluding studies classified as having a high risk of bias (Figure S2 in Multimedia Appendix 1) and a subgroup analysis including only studies on patients with heart failure (12/96, 12%). Subgroup analyses for studies on patients with COPD and multiple chronic conditions were not possible because of a lack of absolute values or comparator [29,85].

A total of 8 studies contributed to the all-cause hospitalization meta-analyses: 3 (38%) [23,34,83] (n=466) provided data at 6 months, and 5 (62%) [25,52,80,96,101] (n=1825) provided data at 12 months. There was no significant difference in the risk of all-cause hospitalization between the groups at 6 months (RR=1.09, 95% CI 0.85-1.40; P=.50; I2=46%) or 12 months (RR=0.97, 95% CI 0.70-1.33; P=.84; I2=79%; Figure 4). This result was also consistent after the exclusion of studies evaluated as having a high risk of bias (Figure S2 in Multimedia Appendix 1). The meta-analysis that included only patients with heart failure showed no difference in the risk of hospitalization between the telemonitoring and comparator groups (RR=0.99, 95% CI 0.81-1.22; P=.94; I2=69%; Figure S2 in Multimedia Appendix 1).

Figure 4. Impact of telemonitoring versus comparator on hospitalization at 6 and 12 months [23,25,34,52,80,83].
View this figure
Changes in BP

A total of 10% (10/96) of the studies [16,17,24,38,45,62,72,75,77] reporting on the change in SBP and 8% (8/96) of the studies [15,17,24,45,62,72,75,77,90] reporting on the change in diastolic BP (DBP) between a telemonitoring intervention and usual care were included in the meta-analyses. Further details on the analyses of BP are provided in Multimedia Appendix 1.

Changes in SBP

SBP was significantly reduced in the telemonitoring group (n=1477) compared with that in the usual care group (n=1484; weighted MD=−5.34 mm Hg, 95% CI −7.81 to −2.86; P<.001; I2=100%; Figure 5 [15,17,24,38,45,62,72,75,77,90]). In the subgroup analysis according to study time points, similar results were observed for SBP at 6 months (weighted MD=−3.85 mm Hg, 95% CI −7.03 to −0.68; P=.02; I2=100%; Figure 5) and 12 months (weighted MD=−3.85 mm Hg, 95% CI −7.03 to −0.68; P=.02; I2=100%; Figure S3 in Multimedia Appendix 1) in favor of telemonitoring.

Figure 5. Impact of telemonitoring versus usual care on changes in systolic blood pressure (mean difference) at the longest study time point and at 6 months [15,17,24,38,45,62,72,75,77,90].
View this figure

The sensitivity analysis, excluding studies where the SD was not reported directly [38,45,90], did not materially change the results (weighted MD=−5.19 mm Hg, 95% CI −8.01 to −2.37; P<.001; I2=100%; Figure S3 in Multimedia Appendix 1). The sensitivity analysis was also performed excluding studies with a high risk of bias (Figure S3 in Multimedia Appendix 1); the results remained in favor of telemonitoring (weighted MD=–2.84 mm Hg, 95% CI −4.22 to −1.46; P<.001; I2=98%).

Changes in DBP

A meta-analysis including the longest time point demonstrated a significant reduction in DBP in favor of telemonitoring (n=1218) compared with the comparator (n=1255; weighted MD=−2.83 mm Hg, 95% CI −3.98 to −1.68; P<.001; I2=99%; Figure S4 in Multimedia Appendix 1). In the subgroup analysis, a similar result was observed for DBP reduction at 6 months (weighted MD=−5.44 mm Hg, 95% CI −9.00 to −1.87; P=.003; I2=100%; Figure S4 in Multimedia Appendix 1) in favor of telemonitoring but not for DBP at 12 months (weighted MD=−1.09 mm Hg, 95% CI −4.76 to 2.57; P=.56; I2=97%; Figure S4 in Multimedia Appendix 1). Sensitivity analyses at the longest time point excluding studies with high risk of bias (Figure S4 in Multimedia Appendix 1) showed no significant reduction in DBP in the telemonitoring group (weighted MD=−1.07 mm Hg, 95% CI −2.58 to 0.44; P=.16; I2=98%) compared with usual care.

Changes in HbA1c

A total of 19% (18/96) of the studies reported on HbA1c, and all the studies (18/18, 100%) compared telemonitoring with usual care, with 61% (11/18; n=3277) included in the meta-analysis [27,30,35,46,49,58,63,87,89,94,109]. Further details on the excluded studies for the meta-analysis are provided in Multimedia Appendix 1.

The duration of the interval before and after varied, with 18% (2/11) of these studies reporting a 6-week assessment [58,87], 45% (5/11) [27,30,46,49,63] reporting 3-month assessments, 9% (1/11) reporting 9-month assessments [109], and 27% (3/11) [35,89] reporting 12-month assessments. A sensitivity analysis was performed excluding studies with a high risk of bias [58,94].

The overall mean change in HbA1c is shown in Figure S5 in Multimedia Appendix 1. The pooled estimate showed a reduction in the mean change in HbA1c in the telemonitoring group (n=1703; weighted MD=−0.33, 95% CI −0.57 to −0.09; P=.008; I2=99%; Figure S5 in Multimedia Appendix 1). The results did not materially change after the sensitivity analysis excluding studies at high risk of bias [58,87] (Figure S5 in Multimedia Appendix 1). Subgroup analyses according to study time points showed no significant difference in the change in HbA1c values between telemonitoring and the comparator (Figure S5 in Multimedia Appendix 1).


Principal Findings

Our results suggest that telemonitoring interventions are associated with good patient adherence and satisfaction. Although this review did not demonstrate improvements in QoL with telemonitoring, there was evidence to suggest reductions in all-cause mortality and improvements in BP and blood glucose control. Conversely, there was evidence to suggest that telemonitoring interventions may be associated with a higher rate of hospitalizations, which could be interpreted as a positive role of telemonitoring in detecting patients’ health issues more than usual care.

Comparison With Prior Work

Our review showed improvements in physiological parameters (BP and blood glucose) in patients receiving telemonitoring interventions. These findings demonstrate the positive role of telemonitoring in improving patients’ self-management of their conditions. This is in line with other reviews that have shown similar improvements in hypertension [168] and type 2 diabetes self-management [169] after telemonitoring interventions.

The studies included in this review consistently showed that patients receiving telemonitoring interventions had lower all-cause mortality compared with patients receiving usual care. A recent umbrella review [170] examining the effects of telemonitoring on mortality in several clinical populations (cardiovascular, COPD, and neurological) reported similar findings for the cardiovascular population, where the mortality rate was either reduced in the telemedicine users or remained unchanged compared with usual care. The same review [170] did not find any difference in mortality between telemonitoring and usual care in patients with COPD. The impact on death is an important outcome when considering the administration of remote interventions over in-person visits, and the reduced mortality rate with telemonitoring reported in our review suggests the effectiveness of telemonitoring for patients with chronic conditions.

Surprisingly, the overall results of our review showed a higher risk of hospitalization among patients undergoing telemonitoring interventions. There is inconsistency in the previous literature on the role that telemonitoring plays in reducing the risk of rehospitalization, with some studies reporting no differences compared with usual care [171] and others concluding that telemonitoring is an effective tool to reduce all-cause hospitalization in adults with heart failure [172]. Thurmond et al [173] noted the importance that the type of telemonitoring intervention has on its acceptability by patients and, consequently, their adherence to it, which, when poor, may influence the rate of rehospitalization. This would suggest the need to identify common characteristics of effective telemonitoring interventions (or “active ingredients”) that facilitate patient acceptability. It may also be possible that increased hospitalizations with telemonitoring is a positive finding (ie, reasons for hospitalization may be identified earlier by telemonitoring, and hospitalization may be initiated earlier than with usual care, averting serious outcomes and death). Hypothetically, this could have contributed to the reduced mortality at 12 months; however, future research is needed to substantiate this.

The results of this review are in line with those of previous systematic reviews assessing patient satisfaction with telemonitoring interventions [174,175]. From qualitative reports, the convenience of decreased travel time and costs and the reassurance of being monitored are the most likely reasons for patients preferring telemonitoring over usual care [176]. It is important to note that patient satisfaction may differ with the type of telemonitoring device used; indeed, available evidence suggests that higher patient satisfaction is reported for videoconferences and devices that allow for automated data transmission [174].

The included studies did not report significant improvements in the QoL of patients receiving a telemonitoring intervention compared with usual care. Our findings confirm previous reviews [177,178] while expanding the results to populations outside care homes [178] and including study designs other than RCTs [177]. Although telemonitoring does not seem to improve QoL compared with usual care, previous findings [178] have shown important benefits of telemonitoring in improving patients’ confidence in accessing health care services.

Strengths and Limitations

This review used a strict definition of telemonitoring, only including studies that used a device to collect health measures and facilitated 2-way communication or action between the patient and health care team. Despite the inclusion of studies with low methodological quality, sensitivity analyses were conducted where appropriate, reducing the potential for bias to affect the results of this review. The studies included in this review presented a wide range of telemonitoring interventions that differed in the personnel involved, administration of the intervention, and technology used and that were examined in a variety of populations with different long-term conditions, thus making the results highly generalizable. A robust methodology was used, with independent screening and data extraction by 2 reviewers and risk of bias assessment in duplicate.

Several limitations are noteworthy. First, despite our initial plans to investigate uptake, patient retention and satisfaction, and associated factors when using 2-way (patient-health care provider) remote patient monitoring devices to manage chronic health conditions, no studies reported uptake and retention outcomes and, therefore, these outcomes could not be reported in this review. Most of the included studies assessed similar outcomes but used different measurement tools, thus making comparison difficult, particularly in studies investigating patient adherence [13,30,36,42,48,51,58,59,66,84,92,103] and satisfaction [22,28,30,42-44,78,91,95] with the intervention. Second, despite our efforts to define the best search strategy to identify all relevant articles for our review, the possible omission of papers because of the heterogeneity in the key terms used by the authors cannot be ruled out. We did not conduct any searches for gray literature. Third, most outcomes analyzed in this review have been infrequently investigated in the literature (eg, mortality was reported only in 17/96, 18% of the included studies; adherence was reported in only 12/96, 12% of the studies; and satisfaction was reported in only 9/96, 9% of the studies), and further research is required to properly assess the effects of telemonitoring on these outcomes. Moreover, some conditions (eg, COPD) were underrepresented as few studies investigating the effects of telemonitoring interventions on these populations were available; thus, we could not conduct a separate meta-analysis for each condition. The type and quality of usual care also varied throughout the included studies, which may have influenced the results in favor of or against telemonitoring.

Conclusions

Telemonitoring is a promising tool to manage long-term conditions, with the potential to reduce the associated costs and alleviate patient difficulties in accessing primary health care. Patient satisfaction and adherence to telemonitoring appear, overall, to be promising. Although telemonitoring resulted in improvement in physiological parameters and reduced all-cause mortality compared with usual care, there was no improvement in QoL and an increased risk of hospitalization with telemonitoring. Although the latter may be a positive finding indicating earlier detection of health issues and action (resulting in hospitalization), this result warrants further investigation. Telemonitoring is expanding rapidly, more so since the COVID-19 pandemic, and has been shown to be a viable alternative to usual care for the management of patients with long-term health conditions.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all the Telehealth and Artificial Intelligence for Older People (TAILOR) investigators: Dr Asan Akpan, Dr Girvan Burnside (University of Liverpool), Mr Robert Halhead, Mr Stephen Hope, Mr Peter Levene, Mr Geoff Hayllar (Docobo Ltd, Leatherhead, United Kingdom), Mr Peter Almond (Mersey Care National Health Service Trust), Ms Sarah Dyas (Clinical Research Network, North West Coast), and Ms Lindsay Sharples (Innovation Agency). The authors would also like to thank Dr Marie Held (University of Liverpool) for her help in translating some of the included papers from German to English. This project has received funding from the Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group, Research Capability Funding (LCCG_RCF20-21_01).

Conflicts of Interest

BJRB has received research funding from the Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS)-Pfizer Alliance. SLH has received an investigator-initiated grant from BMS. GYHL has been a consultant and speaker for the BMS-Pfizer Alliance, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Daiichi-Sankyo. No fees were received personally. DJW has been a consultant and speaker for Medtronic and Boston Scientific. DAL has received investigator-initiated educational grants from BMS; been a speaker for Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer, and the BMS-Pfizer Alliance; and consulted for Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer, and the BMS-Pfizer Alliance, all outside the submitted work.

Multimedia Appendix 1

Supplementary figures and tables that were not included in the main manuscript.

DOC File , 1432 KB

Multimedia Appendix 2

Summary of the included studies (N=96).

DOCX File , 57 KB

  1. Goodwin N, Sonola L, Thiel V, Kodner D. Co-ordinated care for people with complex chronic conditions: key lessons and markers for success. The King's Fund. 2013.   URL: https:/​/www.​kingsfund.org.uk/​sites/​default/​files/​field/​field_publication_file/​co-ordinated-care-for-people-with-complex-chronic-conditions-kingsfund-oct13.​pdf [accessed 2021-10-01]
  2. Masnoon N, Kalisch Ellett L, Shakib S, Caughey GE. Predictors of mortality in the older population: the role of polypharmacy and other medication and chronic disease-related factors. Drugs Aging 2020 Oct;37(10):767-776. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  3. Tyack Z, Frakes KA, Barnett A, Cornwell P, Kuys S, McPhail S. Predictors of health-related quality of life in people with a complex chronic disease including multimorbidity: a longitudinal cohort study. Qual Life Res 2016 Oct;25(10):2579-2592. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  4. Noncommunicable diseases. World Health Organization. 2021 Apr 13.   URL: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases [accessed 2022-04-01]
  5. Coulter A, Roberts S, Dixon A. Delivering better services for people with long-term conditions: building the house of care. The King's Fund. 2013 Oct.   URL: https:/​/www.​kingsfund.org.uk/​sites/​default/​files/​field/​field_publication_file/​delivering-better-services-for-people-with-long-term-conditions.​pdf [accessed 2021-10-01]
  6. How to deliver high-quality, patient-centred, cost-effective care: consensus solutions from the voluntary sector. The King's Fund. 2010.   URL: https:/​/www.​kingsfund.org.uk/​sites/​default/​files/​how-to-deliver-high-quality-patient-centred-cost-effective-care-16-september-2010-kings-fund.​pdf [accessed 2021-10-01]
  7. Topriceanu CC, Wong A, Moon JC, Hughes AD, Bann D, Chaturvedi N, et al. Evaluating access to health and care services during lockdown by the COVID-19 survey in five UK national longitudinal studies. BMJ Open 2021 Mar 18;11(3):e045813 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  8. Salisbury C, Thomas C, O'Cathain A, Rogers A, Pope C, Yardley L, et al. TElehealth in CHronic disease: mixed-methods study to develop the TECH conceptual model for intervention design and evaluation. BMJ Open 2015 Feb 06;5(2):e006448 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  9. Alvarez P, Sianis A, Brown J, Ali A, Briasoulis A. Chronic disease management in heart failure: focus on telemedicine and remote monitoring. Rev Cardiovasc Med 2021 Jun 30;22(2):403-413 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  10. Eze ND, Mateus C, Cravo Oliveira Hashiguchi T. Telemedicine in the OECD: an umbrella review of clinical and cost-effectiveness, patient experience and implementation. PLoS One 2020 Aug 13;15(8):e0237585 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  11. Snoswell CL, Chelberg G, De Guzman KR, Haydon HH, Thomas EE, Caffery LJ, et al. The clinical effectiveness of telehealth: a systematic review of meta-analyses from 2010 to 2019. J Telemed Telecare (forthcoming) 2021 Jun 29:1357633X211022907. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  12. Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ 2021 Mar 29;372:n71 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  13. Agboola S, Havasy R, Myint-U K, Kvedar J, Jethwani K. The impact of using mobile-enabled devices on patient engagement in remote monitoring programs. J Diabetes Sci Technol 2013 May 01;7(3):623-629 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  14. Amir O, Ben-Gal T, Weinstein JM, Schliamser J, Burkhoff D, Abbo A, et al. Evaluation of remote dielectric sensing (ReDS) technology-guided therapy for decreasing heart failure re-hospitalizations. Int J Cardiol 2017 Aug 01;240:279-284 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  15. Antonicelli R, Testarmata P, Spazzafumo L, Gagliardi C, Bilo G, Valentini M, et al. Impact of telemonitoring at home on the management of elderly patients with congestive heart failure. J Telemed Telecare 2008;14(6):300-305. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  16. Antonicelli R, Mazzanti I, Abbatecola AM, Parati G. Impact of home patient telemonitoring on use of β-blockers in congestive heart failure. Drugs Aging 2010 Oct 01;27(10):801-805. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  17. Bernocchi P, Scalvini S, Bertacchini F, Rivadossi F, Muiesan ML. Home based telemedicine intervention for patients with uncontrolled hypertension--a real life non-randomized study. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2014 Jun 12;14:52 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  18. Baron JS, Hirani S, Newman SP. A randomised, controlled trial of the effects of a mobile telehealth intervention on clinical and patient-reported outcomes in people with poorly controlled diabetes. J Telemed Telecare 2017 Feb;23(2):207-216. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  19. Baron JS, Hirani SP, Newman SP. Investigating the behavioural effects of a mobile-phone based home telehealth intervention in people with insulin-requiring diabetes: results of a randomized controlled trial with patient interviews. J Telemed Telecare 2017 Jun;23(5):503-512. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  20. Bentley CL, Mountain GA, Thompson J, Fitzsimmons DA, Lowrie K, Parker SG, et al. A pilot randomised controlled trial of a Telehealth intervention in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: challenges of clinician-led data collection. Trials 2014 Aug 06;15:313 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  21. Beran M, Asche SE, Bergdall AR, Crabtree B, Green BB, Groen SE, et al. Key components of success in a randomized trial of blood pressure telemonitoring with medication therapy management pharmacists. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2018;58(6):614-621 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  22. Bergenstal RM, Anderson RL, Bina DM, Johnson ML, Davidson JL, Solarz-Johnson B, et al. Impact of modem-transferred blood glucose data on clinician work efficiency and patient glycemic control. Diabetes Technol Ther 2005 Apr;7(2):241-247. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  23. Blum K, Gottlieb SS. The effect of a randomized trial of home telemonitoring on medical costs, 30-day readmissions, mortality, and health-related quality of life in a cohort of community-dwelling heart failure patients. J Card Fail 2014 Jul;20(7):513-521. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  24. Blasco A, Carmona M, Fernández-Lozano I, Salvador CH, Pascual M, Sagredo PG, et al. Evaluation of a telemedicine service for the secondary prevention of coronary artery disease. J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev 2012;32(1):25-31. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  25. Boyne JJ, Vrijhoef HJ, Crijns HJ, De Weerd G, Kragten J, Gorgels AP, TEHAF investigators. Tailored telemonitoring in patients with heart failure: results of a multicentre randomized controlled trial. Eur J Heart Fail 2012 Jul;14(7):791-801 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  26. Buis LR, Roberson DN, Kadri R, Rockey NG, Plegue MA, Danak SU, et al. Understanding the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a clinical pharmacist-led mobile approach (BPTrack) to hypertension management: mixed methods pilot study. J Med Internet Res 2020 Aug 11;22(8):e19882 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  27. Bujnowska-Fedak MM, Puchała E, Steciwko A. The impact of telehome care on health status and quality of life among patients with diabetes in a primary care setting in Poland. Telemed J E Health 2011 Apr;17(3):153-163. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  28. Chau JP, Lee DT, Yu DS, Chow AY, Yu WC, Chair SY, et al. A feasibility study to investigate the acceptability and potential effectiveness of a telecare service for older people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Int J Med Inform 2012 Oct;81(10):674-682. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  29. Chen YH, Lin YH, Hung CS, Huang CC, Yeih DF, Chuang PY, et al. Clinical outcome and cost-effectiveness of a synchronous telehealth service for seniors and nonseniors with cardiovascular diseases: quasi-experimental study. J Med Internet Res 2013 Apr 24;15(4):e87 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  30. Cho JH, Lee HC, Lim DJ, Kwon HS, Yoon KH. Mobile communication using a mobile phone with a glucometer for glucose control in type 2 patients with diabetes: as effective as an Internet-based glucose monitoring system. J Telemed Telecare 2009;15(2):77-82. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  31. Cichosz SL, Udsen FW, Hejlesen O. The impact of telehealth care on health-related quality of life of patients with heart failure: results from the Danish TeleCare North heart failure trial. J Telemed Telecare 2020;26(7-8):452-461. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  32. Cleland JG, Louis AA, Rigby AS, Janssens U, Balk AH, TEN-HMS Investigators. Noninvasive home telemonitoring for patients with heart failure at high risk of recurrent admission and death: the Trans-European Network-Home-Care Management System (TEN-HMS) study. J Am Coll Cardiol 2005 May 17;45(10):1654-1664 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  33. Dang S, Dimmick S, Kelkar G. Evaluating the evidence base for the use of home telehealth remote monitoring in elderly with heart failure. Telemed J E Health 2009 Oct;15(8):783-796. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  34. Dar O, Riley J, Chapman C, Dubrey SW, Morris S, Rosen SD, et al. A randomized trial of home telemonitoring in a typical elderly heart failure population in North West London: results of the Home-HF study. Eur J Heart Fail 2009 Mar;11(3):319-325 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  35. Dario C, Toffanin R, Calcaterra F, Saccavini C, Stafylas P, Mancin S, et al. Telemonitoring of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Italy. Telemed J E Health 2017 Feb;23(2):143-152. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  36. de Lusignan S, Wells S, Johnson P, Meredith K, Leatham E. Compliance and effectiveness of 1 year's home telemonitoring. The report of a pilot study of patients with chronic heart failure. Eur J Heart Fail 2001 Dec;3(6):723-730 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  37. De San Miguel K, Smith J, Lewin G. Telehealth remote monitoring for community-dwelling older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Telemed J E Health 2013 Sep;19(9):652-657. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  38. DeAlleaume L, Parnes B, Zittleman L, Sutter C, Chavez R, Bernstein J, et al. Success in the achieving cardiovascular excellence in Colorado (A CARE) home blood pressure monitoring program: a report from the shared networks of Colorado Ambulatory Practices and Partners (SNOCAP). J Am Board Fam Med 2015;28(5):548-555 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  39. Dendale P, De Keulenaer G, Troisfontaines P, Weytjens C, Mullens W, Elegeert I, et al. Effect of a telemonitoring-facilitated collaboration between general practitioner and heart failure clinic on mortality and rehospitalization rates in severe heart failure: the TEMA-HF 1 (TElemonitoring in the MAnagement of Heart Failure) study. Eur J Heart Fail 2012 Mar;14(3):333-340 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  40. Dierckx R, Cleland JG, Pellicori P, Zhang J, Goode K, Putzu P, et al. If home telemonitoring reduces mortality in heart failure, is this just due to better guideline-based treatment? J Telemed Telecare 2015 Sep;21(6):331-339. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  41. Dinesen B, Haesum LK, Soerensen N, Nielsen C, Grann O, Hejlesen O, et al. Using preventive home monitoring to reduce hospital admission rates and reduce costs: a case study of telehealth among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. J Telemed Telecare 2012 Jun;18(4):221-225. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  42. Domingo M, Lupón J, González B, Crespo E, López R, Ramos A, et al. Evaluation of a telemedicine system for heart failure patients: feasibility, acceptance rate, satisfaction and changes in patient behavior: results from the CARME (CAtalan Remote Management Evaluation) study. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs 2012 Dec;11(4):410-418. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  43. Doñate-Martínez A, Ródenas F, Garcés J. Impact of a primary-based telemonitoring programme in HRQOL, satisfaction and usefulness in a sample of older adults with chronic diseases in Valencia (Spain). Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2016;62:169-175. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  44. Edmonds M, Bauer M, Osborn S, Lutfiyya H, Mahon J, Doig G, et al. Using the Vista 350 telephone to communicate the results of home monitoring of diabetes mellitus to a central database and to provide feedback. Int J Med Inform 1998;51(2-3):117-125. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  45. Earle KA, Istepanian RS, Zitouni K, Sungoor A, Tang B. Mobile telemonitoring for achieving tighter targets of blood pressure control in patients with complicated diabetes: a pilot study. Diabetes Technol Ther 2010 Jul;12(7):575-579. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  46. Egede LE, Williams JS, Voronca DC, Knapp RG, Fernandes JK. Randomized controlled trial of technology-assisted case management in low income adults with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Technol Ther 2017 Aug;19(8):476-482. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  47. Evangelista LS, Lee JA, Moore AA, Motie M, Ghasemzadeh H, Sarrafzadeh M, et al. Examining the effects of remote monitoring systems on activation, self-care, and quality of life in older patients with chronic heart failure. J Cardiovasc Nurs 2015;30(1):51-57 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  48. Evans J, Papadopoulos A, Silvers CT, Charness N, Boot WR, Schlachta-Fairchild L, et al. Remote health monitoring for older adults and those with heart failure: adherence and system usability. Telemed J E Health 2016 Jun;22(6):480-488 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  49. Fountoulakis S, Papanastasiou L, Gryparis A, Markou A, Piaditis G. Impact and duration effect of telemonitoring on ΗbA1c, BMI and cost in insulin-treated diabetes mellitus patients with inadequate glycemic control: a randomized controlled study. Hormones (Athens) 2015;14(4):632-643 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  50. Frederix I, Vanderlinden L, Verboven AS, Welten M, Wouters D, De Keulenaer G, et al. Long-term impact of a six-month telemedical care programme on mortality, heart failure readmissions and healthcare costs in patients with chronic heart failure. J Telemed Telecare 2019 Jun;25(5):286-293. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  51. Gallagher BD, Moise N, Haerizadeh M, Ye S, Medina V, Kronish IM. Telemonitoring adherence to medications in heart failure patients (TEAM-HF): a pilot randomized clinical trial. J Card Fail 2017 Apr;23(4):345-349 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  52. Giordano A, Scalvini S, Zanelli E, Corrà U, Longobardi GL, Ricci VA, et al. Multicenter randomised trial on home-based telemanagement to prevent hospital readmission of patients with chronic heart failure. Int J Cardiol 2009 Jan 09;131(2):192-199. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  53. Grady M, Cameron H, Levy BL, Katz LB. Remote health consultations supported by a diabetes management Web application with a new glucose meter demonstrates improved glycemic control. J Diabetes Sci Technol 2016 May;10(3):737-743 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  54. Grant S, Hodgkinson J, Schwartz C, Bradburn P, Franssen M, Hobbs FR, et al. Using mHealth for the management of hypertension in UK primary care: an embedded qualitative study of the TASMINH4 randomised controlled trial. Br J Gen Pract 2019 Sep;69(686):e612-e620 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  55. Greenwood DA, Blozis SA, Young HM, Nesbitt TS, Quinn CC. Overcoming clinical inertia: a randomized clinical trial of a telehealth remote monitoring intervention using paired glucose testing in adults with type 2 diabetes. J Med Internet Res 2015 Jul 21;17(7):e178 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  56. Hanley J, Fairbrother P, McCloughan L, Pagliari C, Paterson M, Pinnock H, et al. Qualitative study of telemonitoring of blood glucose and blood pressure in type 2 diabetes. BMJ Open 2015 Dec 23;5(12):e008896 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  57. Istepanian RS, Zitouni K, Harry D, Moutosammy N, Sungoor A, Tang B, et al. Evaluation of a mobile phone telemonitoring system for glycaemic control in patients with diabetes. J Telemed Telecare 2009;15(3):125-128. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  58. Kardas P, Lewandowski K, Bromuri S. Type 2 diabetes patients benefit from the COMODITY12 mHealth system: results of a randomised trial. J Med Syst 2016 Dec;40(12):259. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  59. Karg O, Weber M, Bubulj C, Esche B, Weber N, Geiseler J, et al. Akzeptanz einer telemedizinischen Intervention bei Patienten mit chronisch-obstruktiver Lungenerkrankung. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2012 Mar;137(12):574-579. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  60. Kashem A, Droogan MT, Santamore WP, Wald JW, Bove AA. Managing heart failure care using an internet-based telemedicine system. J Card Fail 2008 Mar;14(2):121-126. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  61. Kashem A, Droogan MT, Santamore WP, Wald JW, Marble JF, Cross RC, et al. Web-based Internet telemedicine management of patients with heart failure. Telemed J E Health 2006 Aug;12(4):439-447. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  62. Kerry SM, Markus HS, Khong TK, Cloud GC, Tulloch J, Coster D, et al. Home blood pressure monitoring with nurse-led telephone support among patients with hypertension and a history of stroke: a community-based randomized controlled trial. CMAJ 2013 Jan 08;185(1):23-31 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  63. Kim SI, Kim HS. Effectiveness of mobile and internet intervention in patients with obese type 2 diabetes. Int J Med Inform 2008 Jun;77(6):399-404. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  64. Koehler F, Koehler K, Deckwart O, Prescher S, Wegscheider K, Kirwan BA, et al. Efficacy of telemedical interventional management in patients with heart failure (TIM-HF2): a randomised, controlled, parallel-group, unmasked trial. Lancet 2018 Sep 22;392(10152):1047-1057. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  65. Konstam V, Gregory D, Chen J, Weintraub A, Patel A, Levine D, et al. Health-related quality of life in a multicenter randomized controlled comparison of telephonic disease management and automated home monitoring in patients recently hospitalized with heart failure: SPAN-CHF II trial. J Card Fail 2011 Feb;17(2):151-157. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  66. Kotooka N, Kitakaze M, Nagashima K, Asaka M, Kinugasa Y, Nochioka K, HOMES-HF study investigators. The first multicenter, randomized, controlled trial of home telemonitoring for Japanese patients with heart failure: home telemonitoring study for patients with heart failure (HOMES-HF). Heart Vessels 2018 Aug;33(8):866-876. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  67. Lee JY, Chan CK, Chua SS, Paraidathathu T, Lee KK, Tan CS, et al. Using telemedicine to support care for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a qualitative analysis of patients' perspectives. BMJ Open 2019 Oct 22;9(10):e026575 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  68. Lee PA, Greenfield G, Pappas Y. Patients' perception of using telehealth for type 2 diabetes management: a phenomenological study. BMC Health Serv Res 2018 Jul 13;18(1):549 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  69. Leng Chow W, Aung CY, Tong SC, Goh GS, Lee S, MacDonald MR, et al. Effectiveness of telemonitoring-enhanced support over structured telephone support in reducing heart failure-related healthcare utilization in a multi-ethnic Asian setting. J Telemed Telecare 2020 Jul;26(6):332-340. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  70. Lewis KE, Annandale JA, Warm DL, Hurlin C, Lewis MJ, Lewis L. Home telemonitoring and quality of life in stable, optimised chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. J Telemed Telecare 2010;16(5):253-259. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  71. Madigan E, Schmotzer BJ, Struk CJ, DiCarlo CM, Kikano G, Piña IL, et al. Home health care with telemonitoring improves health status for older adults with heart failure. Home Health Care Serv Q 2013;32(1):57-74 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  72. Madsen LB, Kirkegaard P, Pedersen EB. Blood pressure control during telemonitoring of home blood pressure. A randomized controlled trial during 6 months. Blood Press 2008;17(2):78-86. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  73. Margolis KL, Asche SE, Bergdall AR, Dehmer SP, Groen SE, Kadrmas HM, et al. Effect of home blood pressure telemonitoring and pharmacist management on blood pressure control: a cluster randomized clinical trial. JAMA 2013 Jul 03;310(1):46-56 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  74. Margolis KL, Asche SE, Dehmer SP, Bergdall AR, Green BB, Sperl-Hillen JM, et al. Long-term outcomes of the effects of home blood pressure telemonitoring and pharmacist management on blood pressure among adults with uncontrolled hypertension: follow-up of a cluster randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open 2018 Sep 07;1(5):e181617 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  75. McKinstry B, Hanley J, Wild S, Pagliari C, Paterson M, Lewis S, et al. Telemonitoring based service redesign for the management of uncontrolled hypertension: multicentre randomised controlled trial. BMJ 2013 May 24;346:f3030 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  76. Michaud TL, Siahpush M, Schwab RJ, Eiland LA, DeVany M, Hansen G, et al. Remote patient monitoring and clinical outcomes for postdischarge patients with type 2 diabetes. Popul Health Manag 2018 Oct;21(5):387-394. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  77. McManus RJ, Mant J, Bray EP, Holder R, Jones MI, Greenfield S, et al. Telemonitoring and self-management in the control of hypertension (TASMINH2): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2010 Jul 17;376(9736):163-172. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  78. Mira-Solves JJ, Orozco-Beltrán D, Sánchez-Molla M, Sánchez García JJ, en nombre de los investigadores del programa ValCrònic. Evaluación de la satisfacción de los pacientes crónicos con los dispositivos de telemedicina y con el resultado de la atención recibida. Programa ValCrònic. Aten Primaria 2014 Jun;46 Suppl 3:16-23 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  79. Moon EW, Tan NC, Allen JC, Jafar TH. The use of wireless, smartphone app-assisted home blood pressure monitoring among hypertensive patients in Singapore: pilot randomized controlled trial. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2019 May 28;7(5):e13153 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  80. Mortara A, Pinna GD, Johnson P, Maestri R, Capomolla S, La Rovere MT, HHH Investigators. Home telemonitoring in heart failure patients: the HHH study (Home or Hospital in Heart Failure). Eur J Heart Fail 2009 Mar;11(3):312-318 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  81. Neumann CL, Menne J, Rieken EM, Fischer N, Weber MH, Haller H, et al. Blood pressure telemonitoring is useful to achieve blood pressure control in inadequately treated patients with arterial hypertension. J Hum Hypertens 2011 Dec;25(12):732-738. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  82. Nissen L, Lindhardt T. A qualitative study of COPD-patients' experience of a telemedicine intervention. Int J Med Inform 2017 Nov;107:11-17. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  83. Nouryan CN, Morahan S, Pecinka K, Akerman M, Lesser M, Chaikin D, et al. Home telemonitoring of community-dwelling heart failure patients after home care discharge. Telemed J E Health 2019 Jun;25(6):447-454. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  84. Ong MK, Romano PS, Edgington S, Aronow HU, Auerbach AD, Black JT, Better Effectiveness After Transition–Heart Failure (BEAT-HF) Research Group. Effectiveness of remote patient monitoring after discharge of hospitalized patients with heart failure: the better effectiveness after transition -- heart failure (BEAT-HF) randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med 2016 Mar;176(3):310-318 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  85. Orozco-Beltran D, Sánchez-Molla M, Sanchez JJ, Mira JJ, ValCrònic Research Group. Telemedicine in primary care for patients with chronic conditions: the ValCrònic quasi-experimental study. J Med Internet Res 2017 Dec 15;19(12):e400 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  86. Pekmezaris R, Williams MS, Pascarelli B, Finuf KD, Harris YT, Myers AK, et al. Adapting a home telemonitoring intervention for underserved Hispanic/Latino patients with type 2 diabetes: an acceptability and feasibility study. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2020 Dec 07;20(1):324 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  87. Pressman AR, Kinoshita L, Kirk S, Barbosa GM, Chou C, Minkoff J. A novel telemonitoring device for improving diabetes control: protocol and results from a randomized clinical trial. Telemed J E Health 2014 Feb;20(2):109-114. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  88. Ralston JD, Cook AJ, Anderson ML, Catz SL, Fishman PA, Carlson J, et al. Home blood pressure monitoring, secure electronic messaging and medication intensification for improving hypertension control: a mediation analysis. Appl Clin Inform 2014 Mar 12;5(1):232-248 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  89. Rodríguez-Idígoras MI, Sepúlveda-Muñoz J, Sánchez-Garrido-Escudero R, Martínez-González JL, Escolar-Castelló JL, Paniagua-Gómez IM, et al. Telemedicine influence on the follow-up of type 2 diabetes patients. Diabetes Technol Ther 2009 Jul;11(7):431-437. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  90. Rogers MA, Small D, Buchan DA, Butch CA, Stewart CM, Krenzer BE, et al. Home monitoring service improves mean arterial pressure in patients with essential hypertension. A randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 2001 Jun 05;134(11):1024-1032. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  91. Schoenfeld MH, Compton SJ, Mead RH, Weiss DN, Sherfesee L, Englund J, et al. Remote monitoring of implantable cardioverter defibrillators: a prospective analysis. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2004 Jun;27(6 Pt 1):757-763. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  92. Seto E, Leonard KJ, Cafazzo JA, Barnsley J, Masino C, Ross HJ. Mobile phone-based telemonitoring for heart failure management: a randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res 2012 Feb 16;14(1):e31 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  93. Shea S, Weinstock RS, Starren J, Teresi J, Palmas W, Field L, et al. A randomized trial comparing telemedicine case management with usual care in older, ethnically diverse, medically underserved patients with diabetes mellitus. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2006;13(1):40-51 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  94. Shea S, Weinstock RS, Teresi JA, Palmas W, Starren J, Cimino JJ, IDEATel Consortium. A randomized trial comparing telemedicine case management with usual care in older, ethnically diverse, medically underserved patients with diabetes mellitus: 5 year results of the IDEATel study. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2009;16(4):446-456 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  95. Sicotte C, Paré G, Morin S, Potvin J, Moreault MP. Effects of home telemonitoring to support improved care for chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Telemed J E Health 2011 Mar;17(2):95-103. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  96. Soriano JB, García-Río F, Vázquez-Espinosa E, Conforto JI, Hernando-Sanz A, López-Yepes L, et al. A multicentre, randomized controlled trial of telehealth for the management of COPD. Respir Med 2018 Nov;144:74-81 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  97. Stuckey M, Fulkerson R, Read E, Russell-Minda E, Munoz C, Kleinstiver P, et al. Remote monitoring technologies for the prevention of metabolic syndrome: the Diabetes and Technology for Increased Activity (DaTA) study. J Diabetes Sci Technol 2011 Jul 01;5(4):936-944 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  98. Trudel M, Cafazzo JA, Hamill M, Igharas W, Tallevi K, Picton P, et al. A mobile phone based remote patient monitoring system for chronic disease management. Stud Health Technol Inform 2007;129(Pt 1):167-171. [Medline]
  99. Tsang MW, Mok M, Kam G, Jung M, Tang A, Chan U, et al. Improvement in diabetes control with a monitoring system based on a hand-held, touch-screen electronic diary. J Telemed Telecare 2001;7(1):47-50. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  100. Tupper OD, Gregersen TL, Ringbaek T, Brøndum E, Frausing E, Green A, et al. Effect of tele-health care on quality of life in patients with severe COPD: a randomized clinical trial. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2018 Aug 29;13:2657-2662 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  101. Valdivieso B, García-Sempere A, Sanfélix-Gimeno G, Faubel R, Librero J, Soriano E, GeChronic Group. The effect of telehealth, telephone support or usual care on quality of life, mortality and healthcare utilization in elderly high-risk patients with multiple chronic conditions. A prospective study. Med Clin (Barc) 2018 Oct 23;151(8):308-314. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  102. van Berkel C, Almond P, Hughes C, Smith M, Horsfield D, Duckworth H. Retrospective observational study of the impact on emergency admission of telehealth at scale delivered in community care in Liverpool, UK. BMJ Open 2019 Jul 31;9(7):e028981 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  103. Varon C, Alao M, Minter J, Stapleton M, Thomson S, Jaecques S, et al. Telehealth on heart failure: results of the Recap project. J Telemed Telecare 2015 Sep;21(6):340-347. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  104. Vianello A, Fusello M, Gubian L, Rinaldo C, Dario C, Concas A, et al. Home telemonitoring for patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Pulm Med 2016 Nov 22;16(1):157 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  105. Villani A, Malfatto G, Compare A, Della Rosa F, Bellardita L, Branzi G, et al. Clinical and psychological telemonitoring and telecare of high risk heart failure patients. J Telemed Telecare 2014 Dec;20(8):468-475. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  106. Vuorinen AL, Leppänen J, Kaijanranta H, Kulju M, Heliö T, van Gils M, et al. Use of home telemonitoring to support multidisciplinary care of heart failure patients in Finland: randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res 2014 Dec 11;16(12):e282 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  107. Wade MJ, Desai AS, Spettell CM, Snyder AD, McGowan-Stackewicz V, Kummer PJ, et al. Telemonitoring with case management for seniors with heart failure. Am J Manag Care 2011 Mar 01;17(3):e71-e79 [FREE Full text] [Medline]
  108. Walker PP, Pompilio PP, Zanaboni P, Bergmo TS, Prikk K, Malinovschi A, et al. Telemonitoring in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (CHROMED). A randomized clinical trial. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2018 Sep 01;198(5):620-628. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  109. Wild SH, Hanley J, Lewis SC, McKnight JA, McCloughan LB, Padfield PL, et al. Supported telemonitoring and glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes: the telescot diabetes pragmatic multicenter randomized controlled trial. PLoS Med 2016 Jul;13(7):e1002098 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  110. Aberger EW, Migliozzi D, Follick MJ, Malick T, Ahern DK. Enhancing patient engagement and blood pressure management for renal transplant recipients via home electronic monitoring and Web-enabled collaborative care. Telemed J E Health 2014 Sep;20(9):850-854 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  111. Abraham WT. Disease management: remote monitoring in heart failure patients with implantable defibrillators, resynchronization devices, and haemodynamic monitors. Europace 2013 Jun;15 Suppl 1:i40-i46. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  112. Abraham WT, Adamson PB, Bourge RC, Aaron MF, Costanzo MR, Stevenson LW, CHAMPION Trial Study Group. Wireless pulmonary artery haemodynamic monitoring in chronic heart failure: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2011 Feb 19;377(9766):658-666. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  113. Abraham WT, Perl L. Implantable hemodynamic monitoring for heart failure patients. J Am Coll Cardiol 2017 Jul 18;70(3):389-398 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  114. Adamson PB, Abraham WT, Bourge RC, Costanzo MR, Hasan A, Yadav C, et al. Wireless pulmonary artery pressure monitoring guides management to reduce decompensation in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Circ Heart Fail 2014 Nov;7(6):935-944. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  115. Adamson PB, Abraham WT, Stevenson LW, Desai AS, Lindenfeld J, Bourge RC, et al. Pulmonary artery pressure-guided heart failure management reduces 30-day readmissions. Circ Heart Fail 2016 Jun;9(6):e002600. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  116. Ades PA, Pashkow FJ, Fletcher G, Pina IL, Zohman LR, Nestor JR. A controlled trial of cardiac rehabilitation in the home setting using electrocardiographic and voice transtelephonic monitoring. Am Heart J 2000 Mar;139(3):543-548. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  117. Ahring KK, Ahring JP, Joyce C, Farid NR. Telephone modem access improves diabetes control in those with insulin-requiring diabetes. Diabetes Care 1992 Aug;15(8):971-975. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  118. Ajay VS, Jindal D, Roy A, Venugopal V, Sharma R, Pawar A, et al. Development of a smartphone-enabled hypertension and diabetes mellitus management package to facilitate evidence-based care delivery in primary healthcare facilities in India: the mPower heart project. J Am Heart Assoc 2016 Dec 21;5(12):e004343 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  119. Al-Khatib SM, Piccini JP, Knight D, Stewart M, Clapp-Channing N, Sanders GD. Remote monitoring of implantable cardioverter defibrillators versus quarterly device interrogations in clinic: results from a randomized pilot clinical trial. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2010 May;21(5):545-550. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  120. Amara W, Montagnier C, Cheggour S, Boursier M, Barnay C, Georger F, et al. Early detection and treatment of supraventricular arrhythmia by remote monitoring prevents its progression in pacemaker patients: the randomized, multicenter SETAM trial. Europace 2015 Mar;17(5):iii8. [CrossRef]
  121. Ando K, Koyama J, Abe Y, Sato T, Shoda M, Soga Y, et al. Feasibility evaluation of a remote monitoring system for implantable cardiac devices in Japan. Int Heart J 2011;52(1):39-43 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  122. Bastyr 3rd EJ, Zhang S, Mou J, Hackett AP, Raymond SA, Chang AM. Performance of an electronic diary system for intensive insulin management in global diabetes clinical trials. Diabetes Technol Ther 2015 Aug;17(8):571-579 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  123. Batalik L, Dosbaba F, Hartman M, Batalikova K, Spinar J. Benefits and effectiveness of using a wrist heart rate monitor as a telerehabilitation device in cardiac patients: a randomized controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 Mar;99(11):e19556 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  124. Bekelman DB, Plomondon ME, Carey EP, Sullivan MD, Nelson KM, Hattler B, et al. Primary results of the patient-centered disease management (PCDM) for heart failure study: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med 2015 May;175(5):725-732. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  125. Benhamou PY, Melki V, Boizel R, Perreal F, Quesada JL, Bessieres-Lacombe S, et al. One-year efficacy and safety of Web-based follow-up using cellular phone in type 1 diabetic patients under insulin pump therapy: the PumpNet study. Diabetes Metab 2007 Jun;33(3):220-226. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  126. Bernocchi P, Vitacca M, La Rovere MT, Volterrani M, Galli T, Baratti D, et al. Home-based telerehabilitation in older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure: a randomised controlled trial. Age Ageing 2018 Jan 01;47(1):82-88. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  127. Bhavnani SP, Sola S, Adams D, Venkateshvaran A, Dash PK, Sengupta PP, ASEF-VALUES Investigators. A randomized trial of pocket-echocardiography integrated mobile health device assessments in modern structural heart disease clinics. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2018 Apr;11(4):546-557 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  128. Biermann E, Dietrich W, Standl E. Telecare of diabetic patients with intensified insulin therapy. A randomized clinical trial. Stud Health Technol Inform 2000;77:327-332. [Medline]
  129. Billiard A, Rohmer V, Roques MA, Joseph MG, Suraniti S, Giraud P, et al. Telematic transmission of computerized blood glucose profiles for IDDM patients. Diabetes Care 1991 Feb;14(2):130-134. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  130. Böhm M, Drexler H, Oswald H, Rybak K, Bosch R, Butter C, OptiLink HF Study Investigators. Fluid status telemedicine alerts for heart failure: a randomized controlled trial. Eur Heart J 2016 Nov 01;37(41):3154-3163. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  131. Bosworth HB, Powers BJ, Olsen MK, McCant F, Grubber J, Smith V, et al. Home blood pressure management and improved blood pressure control: results from a randomized controlled trial. Arch Intern Med 2011 Jul 11;171(13):1173-1180. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  132. Boyne JJ, Vrijhoef HJ, Spreeuwenberg M, De Weerd G, Kragten J, Gorgels AP, TEHAF investigators. Effects of tailored telemonitoring on heart failure patients' knowledge, self-care, self-efficacy and adherence: a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs 2014 Jun;13(3):243-252. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  133. Bray EP, Jones MI, Banting M, Greenfield S, Hobbs FD, Little P, et al. Performance and persistence of a blood pressure self-management intervention: telemonitoring and self-management in hypertension (TASMINH2) trial. J Hum Hypertens 2015 Jul;29(7):436-441. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  134. Chan WM, Woo J, Hui E, Lau WW, Lai JC, Lee D. A community model for care of elderly people with diabetes via telemedicine. Appl Nurs Res 2005 May;18(2):77-81. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  135. Chase HP, Pearson JA, Wightman C, Roberts MD, Oderberg AD, Garg SK. Modem transmission of glucose values reduces the costs and need for clinic visits. Diabetes Care 2003 May;26(5):1475-1479. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  136. Dang S, Karanam C, Gómez-Marín O. Outcomes of a mobile phone intervention for heart failure in a minority county hospital population. Telemed J E Health 2017 Jun;23(6):473-484. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  137. Desai AS. Home monitoring heart failure care does not improve patient outcomes: looking beyond telephone-based disease management. Circulation 2012 Feb 14;125(6):828-836. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  138. Ding H, Jayasena R, Maiorana A, Dowling A, Chen SH, Karunanithi M, et al. Innovative Telemonitoring Enhanced Care Programme for Chronic Heart Failure (ITEC-CHF) to improve guideline compliance and collaborative care: protocol of a multicentre randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2017 Oct 08;7(10):e017550 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  139. Schwarz KA, Mion LC, Hudock D, Litman G. Telemonitoring of heart failure patients and their caregivers: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Prog Cardiovasc Nurs 2008;23(1):18-26. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  140. Trief PM, Teresi JA, Eimicke JP, Shea S, Weinstock RS. Improvement in diabetes self-efficacy and glycaemic control using telemedicine in a sample of older, ethnically diverse individuals who have diabetes: the IDEATel project. Age Ageing 2009 Mar;38(2):219-225. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  141. Zakeri R, Morgan JM, Phillips P, Kitt S, Ng GA, McComb JM, REM-HF Investigators. Impact of remote monitoring on clinical outcomes for patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation: results from the REM-HF trial. Eur J Heart Fail 2020 Mar;22(3):543-553 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  142. Ancker J. Comparative Effectiveness of Telemedicine in Primary Care. Clinical Trials. 2020 Dec 28.   URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT04684836; [accessed 2021-10-01]
  143. Bessonov IS. Telemedicine Follow-up for Post-ACS Patients. Clinical Trials. 2020 Jul 24.   URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT04485754; [accessed 2021-10-01]
  144. Colet JC. Heart Failure Events Reduction With Remote Monitoring and eHealth Support Investigator Initiated Trial (HERMeS). Clinical Trials. 2018 Sep 10.   URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT03663907; [accessed 2021-10-01]
  145. Dominguez H. Brazilian Heart Insufficiency With Telemedicine (BRAHIT). Clinical Trials. 2020 Jul 10.   URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT04466852; [accessed 2021-10-01]
  146. Esteban C. Impact of the Artificial Intelligence in a Telemonitoring Programme of COPD Patients With Multiple Hospitalizations. Clinical Trials. 2021 Jul 27.   URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT04978922; [accessed 2021-10-01]
  147. Hoffman J. Influence of Telemonitoring on the Management of LVAD-patients. Clinical Trials. 2020 Nov 3.   URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT04613401; [accessed 2021-10-01]
  148. Iversen MM. Telemedicine Follow-up in Primary Health Care for Diabetes-related Foot Ulcers (DiaFOTo). Clinical Trials. 2012 Oct 19.   URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT01710774; [accessed 2021-10-01]
  149. Krzowski B. Mobile App and Digital System for Patients After Myocardial Infarction (afterAMI). Clinical Trials. 2021 Mar 11.   URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT04793425; [accessed 2021-10-01]
  150. Mahler SA. Enhancing Rural Health Via Cardiovascular Telehealth for Rural Patients Implementation (E-VICTORS). Clinical Trials. 2020 Nov 5.   URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT04617834; [accessed 2021-10-01]
  151. Marinello R. Telemonitoring of Patients Admitted in Hospital at Home With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure - Pilot Study (MONTEROSA). Clinical Trials. 2020 May 27.   URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT04403659; [accessed 2021-10-01]
  152. Martin S. TeLIPro Health Program - Active With Diabetes (TeLIPro). Clinical Trials. 2018 Sep 18.   URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT03675919; [accessed 2021-10-01]
  153. Naqvi IA. Telehealth After Stroke Care: Integrated Multidisciplinary Access to Post-stroke Care (TASC). Clinical Trials. 2020 Nov 23.   URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT04640519; [accessed 2021-10-01]
  154. Noruzbaeva A. Effects of Remote Monitoring of Patients With Heart Failure Based on Smartphone Application (ERICA-HF). Clinical Trials. 2020 Oct 19.   URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT04591964; [accessed 2021-10-01]
  155. Nouira S. The Impact of Telemonitoring in the Management of Hypertension (HOROSCOPE). Clinical Trials. 2020 Oct 29.   URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT04607239; [accessed 2021-10-01]
  156. Omboni S. Telemonitoring of Blood Pressure in Local Pharmacies (TEMPLAR). Clinical Trials. 2018 Dec 19.   URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT03781401; [accessed 2021-10-01]
  157. Pekmezaris R. Diabetes Management Program for Hispanic/Latino. Clinical Trials. 2019 May 23.   URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT03960424; [accessed 2021-10-01]
  158. Prigent A. Study Evaluating Telemonitoring and Experimentation in Telemedicine for the Improvement of Healthcare Pathways (ETAPES Program) Compared to Standard of Care in Patients With Chronic Respiratory Failure Receiving Non-invasive Home Ventilation (e-VENT). Clinical Trials. 2020 Nov 4.   URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT04615078; [accessed 2021-10-01]
  159. Schwartz J, Ssinabulya I. mHealth for Self-care of Heart Failure in Uganda. Clinical Trials. 2020 Jun 11.   URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT04426630; [accessed 2021-10-01]
  160. Siriwardena AN. Use of MonitorMe in COPD. Clinical Trials. 2019 Sep 27.   URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT04108143; [accessed 2021-10-01]
  161. Skanes AC. Virtual for Care Atrial Fibrillation Patients Using VIRTUES. Clinical Trials. 2020 Oct 22.   URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT04599114; [accessed 2021-10-01]
  162. Sun L, Zhu Y, Sun X, Jiang J. Integrative Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Via Hospital-Community-Family-Based Telemedicine (HCFT-AF) Program. Clinical Trials. 2019 Oct 16.   URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT04127799; [accessed 2021-10-01]
  163. Yin W. COVID-19 Lockdown Related Telemedicine for Type 2 Diabetes. Clinical Trials. 2021 Jan 25.   URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT04723550; [accessed 2021-10-01]
  164. Sterne JA, Savović J, Page MJ, Elbers RG, Blencowe NS, Boutron I, et al. RoB 2: a revised tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials. BMJ 2019 Aug 28;366:l4898. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  165. Sterne JA, Hernán MA, Reeves BC, Savović J, Berkman ND, Viswanathan M, et al. ROBINS-I: a tool for assessing risk of bias in non-randomised studies of interventions. BMJ 2016 Oct 12;355:i4919 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  166. Review Manager (RevMan). 5.3. Copenhagen, Denmark: The Cochrane Collaboration; 2014.   URL: https://training.cochrane.org/online-learning/core-software/revman/revman-5-download [accessed 2021-10-01]
  167. Higgins JP, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, et al. Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Version 6.3. London, UK: The Cochrane Collaboration; 2022.
  168. Shahaj O, Denneny D, Schwappach A, Pearce G, Epiphaniou E, Parke H, et al. Supporting self-management for people with hypertension: a meta-review of quantitative and qualitative systematic reviews. J Hypertens 2019 Feb;37(2):264-279. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  169. So CF, Chung JW. Telehealth for diabetes self-management in primary healthcare: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Telemed Telecare 2018 Jun;24(5):356-364. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  170. Snoswell CL, Stringer H, Taylor ML, Caffery LJ, Smith AC. An overview of the effect of telehealth on mortality: a systematic review of meta-analyses. J Telemed Telecare (forthcoming) 2021 Jun 29:1357633X211023700. [CrossRef] [Medline]
  171. Kalankesh LR, Pourasghar F, Nicholson L, Ahmadi S, Hosseini M. Effect of telehealth interventions on hospitalization indicators: a systematic review. Perspect Health Inf Manag 2016 Oct 1;13(Fall):1h [FREE Full text] [Medline]
  172. Zhu Y, Gu X, Xu C. Effectiveness of telemedicine systems for adults with heart failure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Heart Fail Rev 2020 Mar;25(2):231-243 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  173. Thurmond VA, Boyle DK. An integrative review of patients' perceptions regarding telehealth used in their health care. Online J Knowl Synth Nurs 2002 Apr 16;9:2. [Medline]
  174. Kruse CS, Krowski N, Rodriguez B, Tran L, Vela J, Brooks M. Telehealth and patient satisfaction: a systematic review and narrative analysis. BMJ Open 2017 Aug 03;7(8):e016242 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  175. Ramaswamy A, Yu M, Drangsholt S, Ng E, Culligan PJ, Schlegel PN, et al. Patient satisfaction with telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic: retrospective cohort study. J Med Internet Res 2020 Sep 09;22(9):e20786 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  176. Nguyen M, Waller M, Pandya A, Portnoy J. A review of patient and provider satisfaction with telemedicine. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2020 Sep 22;20(11):72 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  177. Hanlon P, Daines L, Campbell C, McKinstry B, Weller D, Pinnock H. Telehealth interventions to support self-management of long-term conditions: a systematic metareview of diabetes, heart failure, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer. J Med Internet Res 2017 May 17;19(5):e172 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]
  178. McFarland S, Coufopolous A, Lycett D. The effect of telehealth versus usual care for home-care patients with long-term conditions: a systematic review, meta-analysis and qualitative synthesis. J Telemed Telecare 2021 Feb;27(2):69-87. [CrossRef] [Medline]


BP: blood pressure
COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
DBP: diastolic blood pressure
HbA1c: glycated hemoglobin
MD: mean difference
PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
PROSPERO: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews
QoL: quality of life
RCT: randomized controlled trial
RR: risk ratio
SBP: systolic blood pressure


Edited by T Leung; submitted 09.12.21; peer-reviewed by C Guinemer, B Smith, K Matthias; comments to author 18.02.22; revised version received 07.04.22; accepted 29.04.22; published 03.11.22

Copyright

©Donato Giuseppe Leo, Benjamin J R Buckley, Mahin Chowdhury, Stephanie L Harrison, Masoud Isanejad, Gregory Y H Lip, David J Wright, Deirdre A Lane, the TAILOR investigators. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (https://www.jmir.org), 03.11.2022.

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on https://www.jmir.org/, as well as this copyright and license information must be included.