Digital self-management technologies show small-to-moderate benefit for medication adherence in chronic disease

BACKGROUND: Chronic diseases require sustained medication adherence, yet nonadherence remains common, leading to poor outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Digital self-management technologies such as mobile health (mHealth) apps, SMS reminders, and web-based platforms offer scalable ways to support adherence, but evidence on their overall effectiveness across diverse contexts is fragmented. AIM: To systematically review and meta-analyze the effectiveness of self-management technologies in improving medication adherence among adults with chronic diseases and to examine potential moderators of intervention impact. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and JMIR for peer-reviewed studies (January 2010-June 2025) evaluating digital self-management interventions with adherence outcomes and comparator groups. Eligible designs included RCTs, quasi-experimental, and controlled before-after studies in adults with chronic disease. Random-effects meta-analysis estimated pooled effect sizes (Cohen's d). Heterogeneity (I), subgroup analyses, and publication bias (Egger's, Begg's, trim-and-fill) were assessed. RESULTS: Fifty-two studies were included, spanning 2015-2025. Early interventions (2015-2019) focused on feasibility, using SMS and basic web tools; later years (2021-2025) showed technological maturity, dominated by mHealth apps integrating monitoring, reminders, and education. The pooled random-effects effect size was d = 0.268 (95% CI 0.123-0.414, p = 0.0003), indicating a small-to-moderate benefit. Heterogeneity was high (I = 89%). Medium-duration (10.8-24 weeks) interventions had the largest effect (d = 0.50), and effects varied markedly by country (e.g., Iran d = 2.29; Taiwan d = -0.94). Begg's test suggested possible publication bias; trim-and-fill adjustment increased the pooled effect to d = 0.366. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: Digital self-management technologies yield a statistically significant, small-to-moderate improvement in medication adherence across chronic diseases, with potential underestimation due to selective reporting. Effectiveness is moderated by temporal trends, geography, intervention duration, and study design, underscoring the need for context-specific adaptation and methodological rigor. Future research should prioritize large, well-controlled trials, pre-registration, and exploration of cultural and systemic determinants to optimize intervention impact.