Application of persuasive system design in mobile health interventions for chronic disease management: a mini review.

Persuasive System Design (PSD) has emerged as a pivotal framework in the development of mobile health (mHealth) interventions aimed at chronic disease management. While numerous systems have been designed under its theoretical guidance, the implementation patterns of its design principles and the efficacy of resulting interventions remain inadequately synthesized. This mini-review consolidates recent evidence to elucidate the application characteristics of the PSD framework, revealing a structural imbalance in the adoption of its principles: a predominant focus on primary task and dialogue support, contrasted with a notable underutilization of social support and credibility-enhancing features. Furthermore, we explore the adaptive mechanisms linking PSD principles with specific mHealth functions and technological platforms, highlighting how such synergies can be tailored to diverse clinical contexts. Critical methodological shortcomings are also identified, including an overreliance on physiological outcomes in randomized controlled trials and a general neglect of qualitative insights and health economic evaluations. By identifying these gaps and trends, this review aims to inform the future development of theoretically grounded, persuasive, and sustainable digital health interventions for chronic disease management.