The utility of mHealth applications in pressure ulcer management: A scoping review

TL;DR

This review explores how mobile health apps can help manage pressure ulcers by improving assessment, monitoring, and prevention, though more research is needed.

Contribution

The study provides a scoping review of mHealth applications for pressure ulcer care, highlighting their potential and limitations.

Findings

mHealth apps improved knowledge and self-efficacy among caregivers and nurses.

AI-assisted wound analysis and educational modules showed promise in ulcer monitoring.

Apps enhanced documentation accuracy and reduced wound size in some cases.

Abstract

Pressure ulcers are a persistent challenge in clinical and long-term care, often requiring timely detection, continuous monitoring, and consistent prevention strategies. As mobile health (mHealth) applications become more integrated into healthcare, there is growing interest in their potential to support pressure ulcer care, especially in settings with limited access to specialist expertise.

A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O’Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and EMBASE) were searched up to April 2025. Eligible studies included interventional and pilot technical validation trials evaluating mHealth applications used by healthcare professionals or caregivers for pressure ulcer care. Data were charted and summarized narratively with a focus on assessment, monitoring, and prevention features.

Four studies were included in the review. The mHealth interventions varied in delivery and design, supporting clinical assessment including educational modules, staging tools, artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted wound analysis, and caregiver-focused applications. Outcomes reported across studies included improved knowledge among nurses and caregivers, greater caregiver self-efficacy, enhanced documentation accuracy, and significant wound size reduction. Despite heterogeneity in study designs, populations, and outcomes, all interventions demonstrated positive impacts on pressure ulcer management.

mHealth applications show promising potential to enhance pressure ulcer assessment, monitoring, and prevention. These tools provide accessible support for clinicians and caregivers. However, the evidence base remains small, heterogeneous, and largely from pilot or quasi-experimental studies, with some apps still in early validation stages. Larger, long-term evaluations are needed to establish clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and integration into routine workflows.

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