Neubeck L, et al. – An appraisal was conducted of the mobile phone applications (‘apps’) and their potential role in providing secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. It was determined that mobile apps and technology could deliver positive outcomes in the management of cardiovascular risk factors. Owing to the complexity of combination interventions, the identification of the ‘active’ ingredient was difficult. Responding rapidly to such interventions for ensuring the delivery of effective, evidence–based outcomes would be challenging for the researchers and clinicians.

• Mobile phone applications (‘apps’), text messages, and Internet platforms used alone or in combination served as interventions.
• These targeted people with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.
• 7 recent randomized controlled trials reported the use of text messages or apps for six to 12 months, with or without differing combinations of other technology platforms.
• All studies, constituted cardiac and diabetes populations.
• They illustrated at least one positive improvement to cardiovascular risk factor profiles.
• High acceptability of the intervention was found when estimated.