(1) App-based interventions can probably improve glycemic control in patients with non-communicable diseases, although the quality of evidence is low-to-moderate. Seven of nine included studies in Lunde’s meta-analysis include patients with type 2-diabetes, and the effects of app-based interventions in cardiovascular diseases are largely unknown.

(2) It is feasible to use a mobile phone app for promoting and monitoring adherence to a healthy lifestyle after cardiac rehabilitation. Lunde and colleagues developed an app where patients could set their goals and receive individual monitoring and feedback from trained health professionals. The single-arm feasibility study included 14 patients, and lasted for 12 weeks. The patients were generally satisfied with the technology, and found the intervention useful and motivational.

(3/4) One year follow-up with the same app improved peak oxygen uptake, exercise performance, exercise habits and self-perceived goal achievement. Using the app did not lead to improvements in body weight, blood pressure or lipid profile compared to the control group receiving usual care. The randomized study included 113 patients who had completed exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation following treatment for coronary artery disease or valve surgery.