Mobile Applications for Assessment and Monitoring of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: The digital era has provided the development of innovative health devices that enable the precise characterization of health and disease, facilitating diagnoses and interventions. This study aimed to systematically review and verify the quality of mobile applications (apps) available for the monitoring and assessment of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Methods: A systematic search was conducted in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for apps related to BCRL monitoring and assessment. Two independent reviewers extracted descriptive data and evaluated app quality using the validated User Mobile App Rating Scale (uMARS). Results: Out of 630 apps screened, four met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Two Korean apps targeted patients, providing educational content, self-assessment tools, and bilingual interfaces. Two British apps, LymVol and LymphaTech Lite, focused on volumetric measurement and clinical use, although LymVol lacked compatibility with recent Android versions. Quality assessment using the uMARS indicated that the included applications performed consistently across the evaluated domains, despite low download numbers and the absence of user ratings. Conclusions: Although mobile apps have the potential to enhance lymphedema monitoring and assessment, more accessible and scientifically validated tools are needed to ensure effective use by healthcare professionals and patients. Developers are encouraged to create accessible, linguistically inclusive smartphone apps that incorporate standardized assessment protocols and regular updates to ensure usability and accuracy. Rigorous validation studies covering reproducibility, diagnostic accuracy, and real-world clinical outcomes should be conducted by researchers to guarantee safety and reliability.