What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Systematic Review. Population: Chronic heart disease (n=12). Intervention: Mobile health applications. Primary outcome: Barriers and facilitators affecting the adoption and use of mobile health applications.

What does this research mean for the field?

The adoption and sustained use of mobile health applications by elderly cardiac patients depends on the alignment of user-friendly design, patient capabilities, social support, and integrated organizational contexts. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To identify and synthesize the multilevel barriers and facilitators influencing the adoption and sustained use of mobile health applications among adults aged 65 and older with chronic heart disease.

September 10, 2026The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing

Factors Influencing App Use in Elderly Cardiac Patients

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Key result

mHealth app adoption in elderly cardiac patients requires simple interfaces and clinical support to overcome anxiety.

n=12

Why the study?

Chronic heart disease is highly prevalent among adults over 65, but mobile health app adoption for self-management remains limited. Understanding multilevel determinants is needed to inform nursing practice and implementation strategies.

What are the barriers and facilitators affecting the adoption and use of mobile health applications among adults aged 65 and over with chronic heart disease?

Comparison

Barriers vs facilitators affecting mHealth application adoption and use

Design

Scoping review

Authors

RCRichard Sucapuca CcanaUniversity of Rome Tor Vergata GVGiulia VillaVita-Salute San Raffaele University APAndrea PolianiVita-Salute San Raffaele University

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Clinicians should address usability, training, and workflow barriers when deploying mHealth apps in older cardiac patients; supports tailored integration strategies and further validation studies.

Key Points

To identify and synthesize the multilevel barriers and facilitators influencing the adoption and sustained use of mobile health applications among adults aged 65 and older with chronic heart disease.
Conducted a scoping review following Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines across MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library (2015–2025).
Included studies of adults aged ≥65 years using mHealth apps in home, community, or outpatient settings for chronic heart disease.
Extracted data independently across two reviewers, evaluated study quality using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, and mapped findings to Greenhalgh's diffusion of innovations framework.
Included 12 studies focusing on apps for telemonitoring, telerehabilitation, medication adherence, and patient education.
Identified primary barriers including low interface usability, technological anxiety, sensory/cognitive limitations, social isolation, and fragmented organizational or regulatory support.
Identified key facilitators including customizable interfaces, tangible clinical benefits, caregiver assistance, clinician endorsement, structured training, and seamless clinical workflow integration.

Study Design

Type

Systematic Review (n=12)

Structured PICO

What are the barriers and facilitators affecting the adoption and use of mobile health applications among adults aged 65 and over with chronic heart disease?

Population

12 studies evaluating the adoption and use of mobile health applications among adults aged 65 and over with chronic heart disease.

Intervention

Mobile health applications (mHealth apps) addressing telemonitoring, telerehabilitation, medication adherence, and education.

Outcome

Barriers and facilitators affecting the adoption and use of mobile health applications.

Successful adoption of mHealth apps in older adults with chronic heart disease requires simple, co-designed interfaces, clinical endorsement, and structured training to overcome technological anxiety and usability barriers.

Limitations

The evidence was methodologically heterogeneous
Several nonrandomized studies were more susceptible to bias
Methodological heterogeneity
Several nonrandomized studies more susceptible to bias
Fragmented implementation
Short-term projects

Cite This Study

Ccana et al. (2026) conducted a systematic review in Chronic heart disease (n=12). Mobile health applications was evaluated on Barriers and facilitators affecting the adoption and use of mobile health applications. Mobile health application adoption in elderly cardiac patients is hindered by low usability and technological anxiety, but facilitated by simple interfaces, perceived benefits, and clinical support.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa27be758559d80afc75738 https://doi.org/10.1097/jcn.0000000000001348

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Implication

Clinicians should address usability, training, and workflow barriers when deploying mHealth apps in older cardiac patients; supports tailored integration strategies and further validation studies.

Factors Influencing App Use in Elderly Cardiac Patients

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Cite This Study

Factors Influencing App Use in Elderly Cardiac Patients

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider