Research on disease management of chronic disease patients based on digital therapeutics: A scoping review

Abstract

Background The prevalence of chronic diseases is rising annually due to the aging of the population, and these illnesses constitute a major cause of mortality. Digital therapeutics (DTx) is a promising solution for the prevention and management of chronic diseases. With the rapid advancement of information technology in recent years, software algorithms or applications based on clinical assessment, evidence, and technology can be used to directly provide digital medical interventions to patients to promote disease management. Digital therapeutics has been applied in the field of various diseases. The most significant application area among them is the management, treatment, and intervention of chronic illnesses. Objectives To provide a comprehensive understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of using digital therapeutics for the management of patients with chronic diseases. Methods The scoping review framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley was applied to the process. Using the research method of scope review, the network retrieval of pertinent papers was conducted in eight databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and CNKI. The database was retrieved between the date of database creation and September 20, 2023. The “PCC” principle was used to determine the inclusion criterion. Analyze and discuss the mentioned literature. Findings were presented in tabular and descriptive formats. Results The scoping review included 25 studies. The intervention carriers of digital therapeutics included health management systems, digital health platforms, learning machine models, and so on. Professional technologists, medical personnel, and others were among the implementation personnel. Disease management strategies included application-based home workout plan intervention, virtual reality digital control mode intervention, and so on. Digital therapeutics helped patients with symptom monitoring, medication management, weight control, mental health, and everyday activities. Conclusion Digital therapeutics improves the treatment of chronic disease patients and promotes health recovery. In the future, under the supervision of the treatment team, we should formulate scientific, standardized, and relevant digital therapeutic disease management programs according to the application status of patients with chronic diseases and develop more customized digital therapeutic projects.