Researchers looked at 23 studies involving over 2,000 organ transplant patients to see if smartphone apps and text messages could help them manage their health better. They found that patients using these mobile health tools were better at taking care of themselves and needed fewer hospital visits. However, the apps didn’t seem to prevent serious complications or death. The study suggests that mobile health tools are useful for helping transplant patients remember to take medications, monitor their health, and talk with their doctors, but more research is needed to understand their full impact.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether smartphone apps and text message reminders help organ transplant patients manage their health and follow doctor’s instructions better than regular care.
  • Who participated: Over 2,000 organ transplant patients across 23 different studies. These patients had received kidneys, hearts, livers, or other organs and were trying to keep their new organs healthy.
  • Key finding: Patients using mobile health apps showed significantly better self-care skills and had about half as many unplanned hospital visits compared to patients receiving regular care. However, the apps didn’t reduce serious complications or death rates.
  • What it means for you: If you’re an organ transplant patient, using a health app might help you remember medications and stay on top of your care, potentially keeping you out of the hospital. However, these apps work best alongside regular doctor visits and shouldn’t replace professional medical care.

The Research Details

Researchers searched six major medical databases for studies published through June 2025 that tested mobile health apps and text messages in organ transplant patients. They found 23 studies total: 15 were randomized controlled trials (where patients were randomly assigned to use the app or receive regular care) and 8 were other types of studies. Together, these studies included 2,022 transplant patients.

Two independent reviewers carefully checked each study to make sure it was high quality and extracted the important information. They then combined the results from multiple studies using statistical methods to see if the overall pattern showed that mobile health tools actually work.

The researchers looked at many different outcomes, including how well patients took care of themselves, whether they took their medications as prescribed, how often they went to the hospital, and whether they experienced serious complications or death.

This type of study (called a systematic review and meta-analysis) is important because it combines evidence from many smaller studies to give a clearer picture of whether something actually works. Instead of relying on one study, which might have been done differently or with different types of patients, researchers can see patterns across multiple studies and get stronger evidence.

The study included both randomized controlled trials (the gold standard for testing treatments) and other types of studies, which gives a more complete picture. Two reviewers independently checked each study’s quality, which reduces the chance of mistakes. However, the studies varied in how they designed their apps and measured results, which means the findings are somewhat mixed. The researchers were transparent about what they found and didn’t find, which is a sign of good science.

What the Results Show

Mobile health interventions significantly improved patients’ self-care ability. On average, patients using the apps scored about 14 points higher on self-care measures compared to patients receiving regular care. This is a meaningful improvement that suggests patients were better at managing their health day-to-day.

The most impressive finding was that patients using mobile health tools had about half the rate of unplanned hospital visits compared to the control group. This means fewer emergency trips to the hospital, which is important for both patient health and reducing healthcare costs.

However, the study found no significant difference in death rates between patients using the apps and those receiving regular care. Similarly, the apps didn’t appear to reduce the rate of organ rejection (when the body attacks the new organ) or serious infections. This suggests that while these tools help with day-to-day management, they don’t prevent the most serious complications.

The narrative review (where researchers summarized studies that couldn’t be combined statistically) found that mobile health interventions helped patients stick to their medication schedules, remember to take their medicines, monitor their own health better, and communicate more easily with their doctors. These are all important for long-term transplant success, even if they didn’t directly reduce death rates in this analysis.

This is the first comprehensive review combining evidence from multiple studies on mobile health for transplant patients, so there’s limited previous research to compare to. However, mobile health apps have shown promise in managing other chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, so these results fit with what researchers have seen in other patient populations.

The studies included in this review varied quite a bit in how they designed their apps, what features they included, and how long patients used them. Some apps sent text reminders, others had more complex features. This variation makes it harder to say exactly which features work best. Additionally, most studies were relatively short-term, so we don’t know if benefits last over many years. The studies also didn’t always measure the same outcomes, which limited how many results could be combined statistically. Finally, the quality of some studies was moderate, not excellent, which means some findings are less certain than others.

The Bottom Line

If you’re an organ transplant recipient, discussing mobile health apps with your transplant team may be worthwhile. These tools appear helpful for improving self-care and reducing hospital visits (moderate confidence). However, they should be used alongside, not instead of, regular doctor visits and standard medical care. Talk with your healthcare provider about which app might work best for your situation and how to use it effectively.

Organ transplant recipients who struggle with remembering medications or keeping track of appointments may benefit most from these apps. Healthcare providers managing transplant patients should consider recommending mobile health tools as part of comprehensive care. However, these apps are not a substitute for regular medical care and shouldn’t be used by patients who can’t reliably use technology or who don’t have access to smartphones.

Improvements in self-care ability and reduction in hospital visits appeared in studies ranging from a few weeks to several months. Most benefits were seen within the first few months of using the app, though longer-term studies are needed to understand if benefits continue over years.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track medication adherence by logging each time you take your prescribed medications. Set a daily goal of 100% adherence and monitor your streak. Also track any unplanned doctor visits or hospital visits to see if they decrease over time.
  • Set up automated reminders in the app for medication times and doctor appointments. Use the app’s communication feature to message your transplant team with questions instead of waiting for scheduled visits. Log your daily health metrics like blood pressure or weight if your team recommends it.
  • Review your medication adherence weekly and share reports with your transplant team during regular visits. Track patterns in your health metrics monthly to catch any concerning changes early. Monitor how often you’re visiting the emergency department or getting admitted to the hospital, aiming for zero unplanned visits.

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Organ transplant patients should always consult with their transplant team before starting any new app or changing their care routine. Mobile health apps are tools to support medical care, not substitutes for regular doctor visits, blood tests, or prescribed medications. If you experience any concerning symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately rather than relying solely on an app.