Mobile health technology for improving treatment adherence in tuberculosis patients: a review

doi:10.19983/j.issn.2096-8493.20260059

Abstract

Abstract:

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the leading infectious causes of death worldwide, and China is among the 30 high-burden TB countries globally. Poor treatment adherence constitutes a critical contributor to TB recurrence and transmission. Although the conventional directly observed treatment (DOT) delivered by healthcare workers is effective, its full-scale implementation in resource-limited settings is hindered by massive manpower costs, transportation expenses and disease-related stigma. At present, mobile health technology opens up a novel avenue to improve treatment adherence among TB patients. This paper conducts a literature review on multiple mobile health interventions for enhancing TB treatment adherence, including SMS medication reminders, video-based directly observed treatment, telephone supervision, medication monitoring systems, mobile application-guided supervision and wireless observed therapy, so as to provide evidence-based recommendations for domestic TB prevention and control.

Key words: Tuberculosis, Case management, Patient compliance, Mobile health, Review literature as topic

CLC Number:

Zhang Yuhao, Wang Dan, Wang Shuhan, Li Chen, Zheng Chanjuan, Tang Wenjie, Yang Yide, Gong Fanghua. Mobile health technology for improving treatment adherence in tuberculosis patients: a review[J]. Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 2026, 7(5): 687-693. doi: 10.19983/j.issn.2096-8493.20260059

Figures/Tables 1

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技术方法	基础设施依赖度	人群适用性	数据准确性	依从性提升效果
技术方法	基础设施依赖度	人群适用性	数据准确性	治疗依从性指标	干预组	对照组
短信提醒服务^[12-13]	普通手机,无需网络	中青年、文化程度较高者	依赖回复,报告偏倚	服药率	90.6%	56.6%
电话督导^[17-18]	普通手机或座机	县乡镇、偏远地区患者	依赖自述	依从率	96.00%	73.47%
移动应用程序^[24,30]	智能手机+网络	中青年;老年使用率低	主动打卡,可多次提醒	治疗依从性	98%	66%
药物监测系统^[34-36]	药盒需网络或USB接口;99DOTS仅需电话	老年患者偏好显著	开盒拨号,但过度报告	服药率	95.89%	92.37%
视频观察疗法^[40-41]	智能手机+稳定网络	有智能手机、能操作视频者	实时视频证据	治疗依从性时间差异	15.2(95%CI: 4.8~25.6)d^a
无线观察疗法^[45]	摄入传感器+贴片+移动设备	愿意佩戴、无皮肤过敏者	客观摄入验证	治疗依从性	93%	63%