Which behaviour change techniques work best for diabetes self-management mobile apps? Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Drawing from the 57 studies included in this systematic review, we confirmed that mobile apps effectively support diabetes self-management and improve glycaemic control. The effectiveness of app-based DBCIs remained consistent across all time points, with progressive improvement up to nine months into the intervention, after which a decline in effectiveness was observed. Few studies explicitly referred to a theoretical basis in their intervention design. Additionally, our meta-regression verified that improvements in glycaemic control were associated with “self-onitoring of behaviour” as a behaviour change technique and “taking medication” as a target behaviour.