Compliance with world health organization mobile health evidence reporting and assessment and consolidated standards of reporting trials of electronic and mobile health applications and online telehealth in mobile app stroke interventions: review of randomized and controlled clinical trials
1
1 Headquarters, Federation of African Medical Students' Associations, Ibadan, Nigeria
2
2 Directorate of Research, Smilebuilders Initiative, Ibadan, Nigeria
3
3 Department of Medicine and Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
4
4, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
5
5, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Mobile application interventions for stroke management are expanding, yet compliance with reporting guidelines remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the compliance of publications on mobile applications interventions for stroke management with the standard reporting guideline by the WHO mERA and the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials of Electronic and Mobile Health Applications and Online Telehealth (CONSORT-EHEALTH).
METHODS:
A review of literature was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane databases until May 2025. Randomized controlled trials or controlled clinical trials publications reporting mobile application interventions among stroke survivors and focused on medication adherence, functional outcomes, cardiovascular risk factors, quality of life, and knowledge of stroke were included. Two independent reviewers screened against eligibility criteria and the mERA and CONSORT-EHEALTH guidelines.
RESULTS:
28 studies (22 RCTs and 6 CCTs) were included. Mean mERA compliance was 44.4% (18.8–75.0%), with cost assessment (n=2) least reported. While mean CONSORT-EHEALTH compliance was 69.8% (59.4–81.0%), with items 7b, 11b, 17b, 19 and 24 least reported. After 2016, mean mERA compliance increased to 44.5% (n=17) and 45.6% (n=10) in 2021–2025. CONSORT-EHEALTH compliance remained high: 69.3% (2016–2020, n=17) and 70.7% (2021–2025, n=10). Regional analysis showed consistently higher CONSORT-EHEALTH compliance across all countries. Positive correlation between mERA and CONSORT-EHEALTH compliance was weak (Pearson’s r = 0.16, p = 0.43; Spearman’s ρ = 0.23, p = 0.24).
CONCLUSIONS:
Compliance with mERA and CONSORT-EHEALTH guidelines remains suboptimal. This emphasizes the urgent need to improve reporting quality in mobile health stroke trials.
Mobile application interventions for stroke management are expanding, yet compliance with reporting guidelines remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the compliance of publications on mobile applications interventions for stroke management with the standard reporting guideline by the WHO mERA and the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials of Electronic and Mobile Health Applications and Online Telehealth (CONSORT-EHEALTH).
METHODS:
A review of literature was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane databases until May 2025. Randomized controlled trials or controlled clinical trials publications reporting mobile application interventions among stroke survivors and focused on medication adherence, functional outcomes, cardiovascular risk factors, quality of life, and knowledge of stroke were included. Two independent reviewers screened against eligibility criteria and the mERA and CONSORT-EHEALTH guidelines.
RESULTS:
28 studies (22 RCTs and 6 CCTs) were included. Mean mERA compliance was 44.4% (18.8–75.0%), with cost assessment (n=2) least reported. While mean CONSORT-EHEALTH compliance was 69.8% (59.4–81.0%), with items 7b, 11b, 17b, 19 and 24 least reported. After 2016, mean mERA compliance increased to 44.5% (n=17) and 45.6% (n=10) in 2021–2025. CONSORT-EHEALTH compliance remained high: 69.3% (2016–2020, n=17) and 70.7% (2021–2025, n=10). Regional analysis showed consistently higher CONSORT-EHEALTH compliance across all countries. Positive correlation between mERA and CONSORT-EHEALTH compliance was weak (Pearson’s r = 0.16, p = 0.43; Spearman’s ρ = 0.23, p = 0.24).
CONCLUSIONS:
Compliance with mERA and CONSORT-EHEALTH guidelines remains suboptimal. This emphasizes the urgent need to improve reporting quality in mobile health stroke trials.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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