The use of e-& mHealth technology-based interventions to improve modifiable lifestyle risk factors amongst individuals with severe mental illness (SMI): a scoping review

ABSTRACT

Objective

The physical health of individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) is generally far worse than the general population. Emerging electronic and mobile health (e-& mHealth) technology may provide new ways to offer interventions in order to reduce modifiable lifestyle risk factors in this vulnerable population. This scoping review aimed to assess the state of knowledge about the use of e-& mHealth technology-based interventions to address modifiable lifestyle risk factors amongst individuals with SMI.

Method

EMBASE, Medline (Ovid) and PsycINFO were searched to identify papers published up to July 2021. Extended PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews were followed to report the results.

Results

A total of 85 papers were identified, of which 10 met the inclusion criteria. These interventions were effective in bringing about positive and clinically significant impacts in weight loss, diet, smoking cessation, and physical activity for some participants. However, many participants did not experience these benefits. Overall, participants indicated that they were satisfied with, and receptive to e-& mHealth interventions.

Conclusion

The evidence base for the use of technology-based interventions to improve modifiable lifestyle risk factors for people with SMI is very limited. More rigorous research on the use of technological tools is needed to determine how more users could benefit from them. Further research and intervention development should be undertaken in collaboration with people with SMI to ensure that unique requirements and preferences are included.

Key Points

What is already known about this topic:

1. The rates of mortality for individuals with SMI are several times those of the general population.

2. Reducing the major modifiable lifestyle risk factors for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) among those with SMI is crucial.

3. The use of emerging e-& mHealth technologies could expand the reach of services to improve modifiable lifestyle risk factors among this population.

What this paper adds:

1. More studies are currently required to build on the current evidence base regarding the feasibility and effectiveness of e-& mHealth technology to improve the modifiable lifestyle risk factors of those with SMI.

2. Emerging research on the use of e-& mHealth technology to improve modifiable lifestyle risk factors of those with SMI looks promising.

3. Findings from research can inform the design of future health interventions targeting this vulnerable patient population.

KEYWORDS:

• eHealth
• mHealth
• severe mental illness
• interventions
• physical health

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The authors declare that all data supporting the findings of the study are available within the article and its supplementary information files.