Effectiveness of Digital Health Tools for Asthma Self-Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a global public health challenge, and although guidelines recommend self-management programs, their implementation is limited. Digital health tools, such as mobile applications and web platforms, have emerged as promising solutions to improve self-management, adherence, and monitoring. However, the evidence on their effectiveness is heterogeneous and often presents methodological limitations. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the current evidence on the efficacy of these tools in asthma management. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in six databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2010 and 2025. Twenty-six RCTs that evaluated digital interventions in pediatric and adult patients with asthma were included. The outcomes of interest were asthma control, pulmonary function, symptom-free days, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. Results: Digital tools showed a statistically significant improvement in pulmonary function, specifically in FEV1 (SMD: 1.53; p = 0.007) and the FEV1/FVC ratio (SMD: 1.20; p = 0.02). No significant effects were found on asthma control, PEF, symptom-free days, or HRQoL in the overall analysis. However, subgroup analyses revealed that remote supervision significantly improved asthma control, and mobile applications improved HRQoL. Conclusions: Digital health interventions are a promising complement for asthma management, notably improving pulmonary function. Their effectiveness on other clinical outcomes appears to depend on factors such as the supervision mode and the type of tool. More standardized research is needed to confirm these findings.