Role of digital health technologies in the management of hypertension and diabetes in rural populations: a systematic review

Résumé fourni par la source

Background The rising prevalence of hypertension and diabetes presents significant challenges for management, especially in rural areas where healthcare resources are limited. This systematic review examined the potential of digital health technologies in managing these conditions in rural populations. Methods Search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Google Scholar for studies published from the earliest records indexed in each database up to September 2025 that assessed the effectiveness of digital health interventions in managing diabetes and/or hypertension in rural areas. Quality assessment was performed using Revised Cochrane Risk-of-Bias Tool (RoB 2.0) and Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool. Results A total of 11 studies were included, with 3 focusing on hypertension, 7 on diabetes, and 1 on both conditions. Digital interventions for hypertension were associated with reductions in blood pressure and improvements in quality of life, treatment adherence, and self-efficacy. Similarly, interventions for diabetes were associated with reductions in blood glucose levels or HbA1c and improvements in LDL levels and self‐management skills. However, no significant changes were observed in HDL levels, triglycerides, albumin-to-creatinine ratio, body mass index, or waist circumference. Conclusion Digital health interventions show potential to support the management of hypertension and diabetes in rural populations by improving clinical and behavioral outcomes. However, factors such as low digital literacy, language barriers, poor internet connectivity, and limited access to digital devices may affect implementation. Future research should evaluate interventions that are appropriate for rural settings to improve the management of these chronic conditions.

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