Evidence mapPaperPMID 40703305Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in medicine2025

Potential of digital applications for self-management and other outcomes in inflammatory rheumatic diseases: a systematic literature review.

Alina Volkmar, Cay-Benedict von der Decken, Stefan Kleinert, Kirsten Karberg, Georg Gauler, Michael Klennert, Jana Klennert, Peer Malte Aries, Sonja Froschauer, Sarah Wildenhain and 7 more

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

17 authors.

Alina VolkmarFaculty of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, Germany.
Cay-Benedict von der DeckenRHADAR - RheumaDatenRheport GbR, Erlangen, Germany.
Stefan KleinertRHADAR - RheumaDatenRheport GbR, Erlangen, Germany.
Kirsten KarbergRHADAR - RheumaDatenRheport GbR, Erlangen, Germany.
Georg GaulerRHADAR - RheumaDatenRheport GbR, Erlangen, Germany.
Michael KlennertSTAR Healthcare Management GmbH, Köln, Germany.
Jana KlennertSTAR Healthcare Management GmbH, Köln, Germany.
Peer Malte AriesRHADAR - RheumaDatenRheport GbR, Erlangen, Germany.
Sonja FroschauerBDRh Service GmbH, Grünwald, Germany.
Sarah WildenhainBDRh Service GmbH, Grünwald, Germany.
Theresia MuthBDRh Service GmbH, Grünwald, Germany.
Susanna Späthling-MestekemperRHADAR - RheumaDatenRheport GbR, Erlangen, Germany.
Christoph KuhnRHADAR - RheumaDatenRheport GbR, Erlangen, Germany.
Wolfgang VorbrüggenRHADAR - RheumaDatenRheport GbR, Erlangen, Germany.
Martin WelckerRHADAR - RheumaDatenRheport GbR, Erlangen, Germany.
Peter Bartz-BazzanellaRHADAR - RheumaDatenRheport GbR, Erlangen, Germany.
Matthias EnglbrechtFreelance Healthcare Data Scientist, Greven, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) are chronic autoimmune conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, leading to pain, disability, and reduced quality of life. Despite advances in medical treatments, barriers such as delayed diagnosis, workforce shortages, and low adherence to self-management strategies remain critical challenges. Digital health applications are emerging as promising tools to enhance disease management. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review (SLR) to evaluate self-care outcomes associated with digital health applications in IRDs. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review according to PRISMA guidelines across four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane) from inception to July 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews focusing on digital interventions to promote self-management and self-care in individuals with IRDs were included. Key outcomes were extracted and the quality of the included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist. Results: Fifteen RCTs with a total of 1912 participants were analyzed. Primary outcomes, including self-management/self-care, showed mixed results. Some studies demonstrated significant improvements in self-efficacy, pain reduction, depression/anxiety symptoms, and physical function, while others showed no notable changes. Secondary outcomes, including disease activity and medication adherence, revealed heterogeneous findings. Variability in study design, sample size, and intervention duration posed challenges for drawing definitive conclusions about the effectiveness of digital interventions. Discussion: Digital health applications show promise as cost-effective and scalable solutions to complement standard IRD care by empowering patients in their disease management. However, significant heterogeneity and limited generalizability highlight the need for more robust and long-term research to validate the efficacy of specific tools and identify best options for improving outcomes. Tailored digital interventions could bridge the gap in care for IRD patients and support their autonomy.

Indexed as

depressiondigital applicationsfunctional impairmentinflammatory rheumatic diseasespainself-careself-managementsystematic review

Identifiers

PMID40703305
PMCPMC12285587

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.