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Effectiveness of Digital Health Interventions to Enhance Continuity of Care in Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Authors Miladi QN , Pahria T, Pramukti I 

Received 8 April 2025

Accepted for publication 7 June 2025

Published 23 June 2025 Volume 2025:19 Pages 1807—1823

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S533210

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 3

Editor who approved publication: Dr Johnny Chen



Qonita Nur Miladi,1 Tuti Pahria,2 Iqbal Pramukti3

1Master Study Program, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, West Java, Indonesia; 2Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, West Java, Indonesia; 3Department of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, West Java, Indonesia

Correspondence: Tuti Pahria, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jl. Raya Ir. Soekarno KM. 21, Hegarmanah, Jatinangor, Sumedang, West Java, 45363, Indonesia, Fax +622287793411, Email [email protected]

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health concern with high morbidity and mortality rates. Despite being curable with proper treatment, challenges in ensuring continuity of care persist, particularly in resource-limited settings. Digital health interventions (DHI) offer a potential solution to improve treatment adherence and continuity of care among TB patients.
Purpose: This study aimed to systematically review how DHIs contribute to improved continuity of care, particularly in terms of medication adherence, clinical outcomes, and patient satisfaction.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. Relevant studies were identified from five significant databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Taylor and Francis, EBSCO-host, and ScienceDirect, up to November 2024 and one search engine was Google Scholar. The keywords used were “pulmonary tuberculosis OR tbc OR tb AND mobile health applications OR mhealth OR mobile apps OR telehealth AND continuity of care OR patient compliance OR patient adherence OR adherence behaviour. Inclusion criteria focused on RCTs evaluating DHIs for adult TB patients. Data were extracted and analyzed thematically to assess intervention effectiveness on medication adherence and clinical outcomes.
Results: A total of 17.380 patients from 21 studies TB patients were included. Interventions were classified into two categories: reminder-based (eg, SMS, phone calls, electronic medicine boxes with audio/visual alerts) and remote monitoring-based (eg, MERM, mobile applications, digital sensors, and VDOT). Compared to standard care, DHIs significantly improved medication adherence, treatment success rates, and patient satisfaction. Several studies also reported reduced time and cost burdens for patients.
Conclusion: DHIs improve continuity of care among TB patients by increasing medication adherence and clinical outcomes. However, the effectiveness varies across different intervention types and settings, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies and integration into existing health systems.

Keywords: adherence, continuity of care, digital health interventions, pulmonary tuberculosis, randomized controlled trials

Introduction

Pulmonary tuberculosis (pulmonary TB) remains a significant global health problem, with high morbidity and mortality rates. According to the 2024 WHO Global Tuberculosis Report, tuberculosis (TB) regained its position as the leading cause of death from infectious diseases in 2023, with an estimated 1.25 million deaths globally, nearly double the number of fatalities caused by HIV/AIDS in the same year.1 Although TB is curable with appropriate treatment, ensuring continuity of care remains a significant challenge in TB control efforts, especially in low-resource settings where consistent access to treatment and long-term patient monitoring may be limited.2

The increase in mortality rates in TB patients is in line with problems related to treatment compliance, lack of information, and poor continuity of care.3,4 Continuity of care is a critical aspect of TB treatment because incomplete treatment can lead to therapy failure, drug resistance, and increased risk of transmission.5 Continuity of care in TB management includes interrelated aspects, such as patient-health-worker relations, information management, treatment compliance, service accessibility, psychosocial support, effective communication, and ongoing monitoring.6,7 All these elements contribute to TB therapy’s success and drug resistance prevention. To overcome these challenges, various technology-based innovations have been introduced.8

In recent years, digital health interventions (DHI) have emerged as a potential solution to improve treatment adherence in TB patients.9 DHI encompasses a variety of technologies such as text messaging (SMS), mobile applications, and video-observed therapy (VOT) designed to facilitate communication between patients and healthcare providers.10–13 In addition, smart pillboxes, or AI-powered monitoring tools have also been developed to support medication adherence by providing real-time tracking and automated reminders.14–19 These technologies aim to enhance patient engagement, enable timely interventions by healthcare workers, and ultimately improve treatment outcomes in TB care. Research shows that the use of digital technologies can increase accessibility of care, improve communication between patients and healthcare providers, and provide reminders to take medications.11,12,16

DHIs hold substantial promise in enhancing continuity of care for TB patients, particularly by improving medication adherence, enabling remote monitoring, and facilitating communication between patients and healthcare providers. Despite this potential, evidence regarding their effectiveness remains inconclusive. While some studies have demonstrated favorable outcomes for example, increased adherence associated with smartphone-based applications in TB patients in India.20 Other findings indicate that such interventions may have limited impact in the absence of sufficient health system support.21 Notably, the effectiveness of DHIs in sustaining continuity of care in TB treatment has not yet been comprehensively evaluated through robust, evidence-based methodologies.

Based on the results of the literature search, no systematic review has specifically synthesized evidence from RCTs on how DHIs support continuity of care in a comprehensive manner not only in terms of medication adherence, but also encompassing aspects such as provider-patient communication and remote monitoring. Previous studies on the same topic were only scoping reviews and were limited to medical adherence, and the articles analyzed were heterogeneous and did not focus on RCT design.9,22 In addition, previous studies primarily focuses on the aspect of medical adherence without exploring broader aspects of continuity of care, such as communication between patients and health workers, ongoing monitoring, and service integration.23

From these problems, a new, more targeted systematic review, including only RCTs, is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of DHI on continuity of care as a whole. This review is expected to provide a more specific understanding of the impact of DHI on continuity of care, produce scientific novelty with an in-depth analysis of continuity of care, and provide evidence-based guidance for policy development and clinical practice, especially in the context of implementing digital technology to support global TB elimination.

Materials and Methods

Study Design

This literature review uses a systematic review design. This study uses the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.24 This review protocol has not been registered in any database.

Eligibility Criteria

This study’s research question and eligibility criteria used the PICOT (population/intervention/ comparator(s)/outcomes/type of study) approach. The inclusion criteria of the articles analyzed in this review were experimental studies published in full-text in English until November 2024. In addition, the studies must discuss digital health interventions on continuity of care in pulmonary tuberculosis patients, and there is no limitation to the year of publication in the selection of articles. In this review, the authors excluded protocols, studies in languages other than English as the international language, and full-text publications that are not accessible. The following is an explanation of the PICOT applied in this review.

Population: Adult patients with tuberculosis

Intervention: Digital health intervention or Mobile health

Comparator: Usual care or Standard care

Outcomes: Continuity of care (Medication adherence, clinical outcome, patient satisfaction, etc)

Type of Study: Randomized controlled trial

Data Collection and Analysis

Search Strategy

Two independently reviewers conducted a systematic literature search by one author (Q.N.M and I.P) using five major databases: EBSCO-host, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Taylor and Francis, and one search engine, Google Scholar. We used Boolean operators “OR” and “AND” in the literature search to help us find articles. The keywords used were “pulmonary tuberculosis OR tbc OR tb AND mobile health applications OR mhealth OR mobile apps OR telehealth AND continuity of care OR patient compliance OR patient adherence OR adherence behaviour”. For each term verified by MeSH (Medical Subject Headings), synonyms are used to retrieve all possible relevant articles. In addition, the author uses the Boolean operators “AND” and “OR” to trim or expand the search results for various tenses. More details can be seen in Table S1.

Study Selection and Quality Appraisal

Two independent authors (Q.N.M and I.P) selected studies that met the eligibility criteria. The authors checked for duplication in the initial stage using Mendeley’s reference manager. Then, they continued to check the title, abstract, and full text for relevance to the research topic and inclusion and exclusion criteria. In the final process, all authors (Q.N.M, I.P, and T.P) checked each full text with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist, and then the JBI assessment results were compared.25 There are 13 statements for articles with randomized control trial designs.

Specifically, we calculated the critical appraisal score as the number of “yes” responses divided by the total number of “unclear”, “no”, and “yes” responses, excluding “no information” responses. After the assessment, we eliminated all studies with a JBI score of <70%. Furthermore, all authors discussed and decided whether there were any discrepancies in the election results. All authors had no differences of opinion regarding the selection and eligibility of the studies analyzed in this study.

Assessment of Risk of Bias in Included Studies

Two reviewer (Q.N.M and I.P) independently assessed the Risk of Bias (RoB) for RCT studies included in this review analysis using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) tool. RCT studies consist of five RoB domains, including (1) randomization process, (2) deviation from the intended intervention, (3) missing outcome data, (4) outcome measurement, and (5) selection of reported outcomes.26 RoB is defined as “high”, “low”, or “some concern”, or “no information” for each domain.

Data Extraction and Analysis

Data were extracted using an extraction table by one reviewer (Q.N.M) and checked by other reviewers (I.P and T.P). At this stage, the authors extracted data from articles that met the criteria where we collected information related to the characteristics of each study: study, design, country, sample size, intervention, comparison, results, and JBI assessment results.

This review conducted data analysis thematically and qualitatively using exploratory and descriptive approaches. The data analysis process began by identifying and presenting the data obtained in tabular form based on the articles reviewed. After obtaining the data, all authors analyzed and presented the results of each study, which focused on exploring how technology can contribute to improving ongoing and long-term care for tuberculosis patients.

Results

Study Selection

The study selection process was done through several systematic stages to ensure that only relevant and high-quality articles were analyzed (see Figure 1). The first stage is identification, where 2,926 articles were taken from five major databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, EBSCO-host, Scopus, Taylor and Francis, and one search engine, Google Scholar. After removing 1080 duplicate articles, 1,846 were selected based on title and abstract. At this stage, 1,792 articles were eliminated because they were not relevant to the focus of the study.

Figure 1 PRISMA Flow Diagram. Adapted from Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ. 2021; 372: n71. Creative Commons.24

Next, 54 articles were screened for completeness, population, intervention, and language, resulting in 33 articles that did not meet the criteria (26 articles with inappropriate study designs, 4 articles with irrelevant interventions, and 3 protocol studies). 21 eligible articles were assessed using the JBI (Joanna Briggs Institute) critical appraisal tool and included in the final analysis of the manuscript. This selection process ensured that only relevant, valid, and high-quality articles were analyzed further.

Characteristics of the Included Studies

Table 1 describes the characteristics of the studies analyzed in the systematic review, showing variations in country of origin, sample size, type of intervention, comparison method, and outcomes achieved. The total sample of the studies analyzed was 17.380 patients from 21 studies. All studies analyzed were RCT-based studies with participants from tuberculosis patients from various countries. Most of the studies came from China (n=5) and Ethiopia (n=3). Other countries, such as the USA, Thailand, and Pakistan, each contributed 2 studies. Meanwhile, countries such as Cameroon, Armenia, Moldova, Canada, Argentina, Peru, and the UK were each represented by 1 study. This shows that the studies have a diverse geographical coverage but focus more on specific countries, especially in Asia and Africa.

Table 1 Characteristics of Study

Quality Appraisal and Risk of Bias of Included Studies

The JBI appraisal results showed that most RCT studies had suitable methodology with most criteria met with a JBI score >70% (See Table S2). All studies ensured the use of correct randomization and concealed group allocation. In addition, group similarity at the beginning of the study and treatment consistency across the two groups were also well maintained, thus minimizing bias. Overall, study scores ranged from 10 to 12 out of a total of 13 criteria assessed, reflecting good methodological quality, as seen in the study by Ravenscroft et al (2020), which obtained a score of 12/13,29 and Story et al (2019) which obtained a score of 11/13,35 and other research. These high scores indicate that despite some weaknesses related to blinding, most studies had strong and consistent designs.

Most of the studies included in this risk of bias assessment demonstrated an overall high risk of bias, primarily due to issues in the randomization process (D1) and deviations from intended interventions (D2) (see Figures 2 and 3). While the majority of studies showed low risk in domains related to missing outcome data, outcome measurement, and selection of reported results (D3–D5), the weaknesses observed in the earlier domains significantly affected their overall judgement. Only three studies were rated as having a low overall risk of bias, while the rest were predominantly rated as high risk. A few studies, received a rating of “some concerns”, indicating moderate methodological issues. Overall, these findings suggest that the methodological quality of most RCTs analyzed still requires improvement, particularly in ensuring proper randomization and consistent intervention implementation, which are critical for drawing reliable conclusions.

Figure 2 RoB of Included Studies.

Figure 3 Summary of RoB.

Method of Digital Health Intervention

The 21 studies intervention methods, summarized in Table 2, involve a variety of digital technology-based approaches and other supports designed to improve tuberculosis treatment adherence and ensure continuity of care. These studies used a variety of digital technology-based approaches with varying implementation frequencies and content to support TB treatment adherence. In this review, intervention categories were classified based on the similarity of their intervention objectives or mechanisms.

Table 2 Summary of Intervention Characteristics

Reminders

Reminder-based interventions are used to help TB patients remember or carry out an action that needs to be done during the treatment process. Based on the results of the analysis, it was found that the reminder methods used by several studies varied considerably. Most studies used reminder methods such as SMS,10,11,15,17,27,31,32,37 direct phone call or voice,27,28,31 via LINE application,38 and electronic pill box with audio/visual reminders.16,17,19,34

SMS reminder systems are generally carried out every morning (such as at 07:30–08:00) to remind people to take their medication or for brief education,10,11,16,17,27,31,37 and weekly and monthly SMS are often used for medication refill reminders or clinic visits.17,31,32 In Mohammed et al’s (2016) study, SMS was sent 1–3 times a day, with a 2-hour interval if there was no response from the patient. Then, the study conducted phone calls every day to remind patients to take their medication, provide advice, and remind them of appointment schedules or sputum specimen collection,27,28,31 and in the studies of Ravenscroft et al (2020) and Kumwichar et al (2024), telephone calls were made when patients forgot to send videos related to video observation therapy.29,38 Observers can also provide input or corrections if the patient makes a mistake.38

The final method is an electronic pill box with audio/visual reminders.17,19 Liu et al (2015) research, the reminder box provides beeping sounds and human voices to remind patients to take medication.17 The MERM (Medication Event Reminder Monitor) electronic box sends audio/visual signals and SMS if the box is not opened at the scheduled time.16 In Tadesse et al (2024), the smart drug brain is equipped with an audio-visual reminder that beeps or lights an indicator every morning at a specified time (6:00–11:00 a.m). When the patient opens the box to collect the medicine, the device automatically records the opening time and sends the data to a digital platform via mobile internet. If the box is not opened within the specified time, the system sends a notification to the patient and healthcare provider to follow up.19

Remote Monitoring

Remote Monitoring is a method of monitoring patients remotely using technology. The goal is to collect health data in real time without requiring a direct visit to a health facility. The review results showed that the remote monitoring method uses technology such as MERM, mobile applications for self-reporting, digital sensors, and VDOT.13,14,16,29,33 This technology enables remote medication adherence monitoring, automatic notifications, and real-time access to patients and healthcare workers.

Acosta et al (2022) offered a MERM intervention for continuity of care for TB patients.16 In Acosta et al (2022), the MERM used was the Wisepill RT2000, an electronic pill box connected to a web server via a cellular network to monitor patient treatment in real-time. A signal is sent to the central management system (Wisepill Web Server) whenever the box is opened.16 If the box is not opened at the scheduled time, the system sends up to 3 daily SMS to the patient, relatives and care monitor. These SMS remind them to take their medication or evaluate obstacles like connectivity issues or inappropriate doses. Patients are monitored until they complete 54 doses of the second phase of treatment (4 months) or more if treatment is extended.16

Iribarren et al (2022) used a mobile application called TB-TST to improve treatment adherence and facilitate remote support during therapy.33 The TB-TST application is a tuberculosis treatment support tool that allows patients to report drug consumption independently, report side effects, and send photos of urine test results to monitor treatment compliance.33 The app also provides interactive features, such as communication with treatment supporters, access to accurate information about TB, a treatment calendar to track progress, and a group discussion forum with other patients. In this study, patients were asked to report their daily treatment management and complete urine tests three times a week on weekdays.33

Another method is Wireless Observed Therapy (WOT).14 The WOT method is an innovative system that allows digital monitoring of drug consumption through a combination of an ingestible sensor (IS), an external patch worn on the skin, and a connected mobile device. The sensor, made of minerals and swallowed with TB drugs, sends signals to the mobile device to record the time of drug consumption and is stored on a cloud-based platform.14 Patients and health workers can access drug consumption data in real-time. This system informs health workers if the drug is not consumed according to schedule.14

Guo et al (2019) used video-directly observed therapy (VDOT) to monitor treatment in TB patients. VDOT was conducted using an information platform equipped with a smartphone application.13 Before starting, health workers train patients to use the application and go through the VDOT process. After being included in the study, patients will receive a medication reminder schedule via notification to their phone using a unique public number.13 At the scheduled time, the patient connects with the administrator via live video to take medication under supervision. The patient can also complain about the disease or treatment in this video session. If the patient misses the VDOT schedule, follow-up is done through phone calls and, if necessary, home visits.

Outcome of Intervention

Based on the analysis results, it was found that digital interventions have benefits in improving the outcomes of TB patients. Six studies reported that digital-based interventions can improve compliance,14,18,29,32,34,35 reduce the missed dose of medication,17,34 and the success and completion of treatment.16,27,31,33,36 In addition, TB patients also reported better efficiency and costs,13 improving patient relationships with service providers,31 better experience, found the method convenient, practical, and were willing to recommend it to other patients.13,14,33 These results underscore the important role of technology in supporting continuity of care. Interventions such as VDOT, VOT, MERM and others ensure continuous treatment monitoring, even without the physical presence of the patient and health care provider.

However, not all studies reported positive outcomes. For example, Mohammed et al found no significant improvement in treatment success or adherence among TB patients.10 Bediang et al also reported no significant impact on adherence.11 Kunawararak et al found no meaningful change in sputum conversion rates,28 and Johnson et al observed low completion rates in latent TB infection (LTBI) treatment.32 Furthermore, Liu et al reported continued issues with patient death and loss to follow-up, despite the use of digital interventions.34

Discussion

This systematic review explores the effectiveness of technology-based interventions in TB patients and their benefits in continuity of care. The findings of this review show two types of digital technology-based methods designed to improve tuberculosis treatment adherence, namely reminders and remote monitoring. These methods are diverse and innovative interventions to improve continuity of care and treatment adherence in TB patients.

Several studies used methods with various digital tools such as SMS, phone calls, MERM, and mobile applications. Each intervention was tailored to the specific needs of TB patients, focusing on medication reminders, clinic visit schedules, and medication adherence reporting. SMS reminders were among the most frequently used methods,10,11,15,17,27,31,32,37 with daily delivery to improve medication adherence or weekly/monthly to remind clinic visits and refills.10,11,16,17,27,31,37 SMS media is the most widely used method due to its low cost, broad accessibility, and ability to reach patients in areas with limited technological infrastructure.36,37 Telephone calls, although more expensive, are a direct means of communication that helps strengthen the relationship between patients and healthcare providers, with compliance rates of up to 79% compared to the control group.31 The effectiveness of this reminder method shows the potential for simple but strategic interventions in overcoming the challenges of TB patient medication adherence. This method can help reduce the risk of treatment failure due to patient forgetfulness or negligence, thereby increasing the chances of successful therapy and preventing drug resistance.17,31,32

The remote monitoring methods used in several studies are diverse. Remote monitoring technologies such as MERM, mobile applications, and VDOT further strengthen the continuity of care by allowing real-time health data collection and remote patient monitoring. These tools reduce the need for frequent clinic visits and empower patients and healthcare workers with direct access to adherence data and automated notifications.13–16,29,33 VDOT and MERM systems allow healthcare workers to monitor patient behaviour remotely, reducing the need for direct supervision in the field. Integrating these technologies into TB care promotes a more responsive, patient-centered approach, ultimately improving treatment outcomes and reducing the risk of disease transmission.13,16,18 The main benefits of this approach are time and resource efficiency for both patients and the health system, providing more consistent oversight and encouraging active patient engagement in their care. Integrating this technology into TB care promotes a more responsive and patient-centred approach, ultimately improving treatment outcomes and reducing the risk of disease transmission.16,18,29

Using digital interventions in TB management has brought significant benefits, particularly in improving treatment adherence.14,18,29,32,34,35 This is confirmed by previous reviews that reported the same thing.39,40 Another advantage of digital interventions is time and cost efficiency. Previous studies have shown that using VOT and Video DOT (VDOT) significantly saves time and is more cost-effective than face-to-face DOT.13 Patients reported higher satisfaction levels with this digital method because it was perceived as practical, convenient, and accessible anytime.13,14,33 Most patients stated that they would recommend this method to others. In addition, reducing travel costs and time spent in health facilities provides economic benefits, especially for patients from low socio-economic groups.41

While DHIs have demonstrated potential, their overall effectiveness is not consistent across studies, reflecting the influence of contextual, behavioral, and systemic factors. Mohammed et al found no significant improvements in adherence or treatment success,10 while Bediang et al similarly reported no difference in adherence between intervention and control groups suggesting that technological solutions alone may be insufficient to address underlying motivational or structural barriers.11 In addition, previous study showed that no impact on sputum conversion, indicating that certain DHIs may not influence biological outcomes when broader determinants of health remain unaddressed.28 In the context of latent TB infection, Johnson et al highlighted persistently low treatment completion rates despite the use of DHIs, emphasizing challenges in asymptomatic populations where perceived treatment urgency is low.32 Furthermore, Liu et al reported continued mortality and loss to follow-up, illustrating the limitations of DHIs in overcoming social vulnerability, health system weaknesses, and patient disengagement.34 Collectively, these findings underscore that while DHIs offer valuable tools, their success depends on being embedded within supportive, patient-centered, and context-sensitive care models.

The review results showed that SMS was the most widely used method due to its simplicity. At the same time, VOT was the most influential method due to its high flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and superior compliance rate. However, for ease of use, SMS and mobile applications are the best solutions in digital-based interventions, considering the availability of technology.36,37 The results of this study indicate that by combining several methods, such as SMS and VOT, the level of adherence and results of TB treatment can be significantly improved and have a broader impact on managing this disease. Through this digital-based intervention, patients can ask about drug side effects, treatment schedules, and possible complaints and receive social support that can improve their adherence to treatment to improve the quality of life of TB patients.12,42,43

Despite the many benefits of applying technology in TB management, applying digital interventions presents several challenges and limitations, especially in environments with limited resources.40,44,45 One of the main challenges is the gap in access to technology, especially in areas with limited communication infrastructure, such as rural or remote areas that often do not have access to devices such as mobile phones or stable internet connections.13,31,46 The adaptability of digital devices to local environments is often limited by software and hardware requirements. Technology failures can lead to a loss of trust among users, reducing the effectiveness of interventions.44 Issues such as poor mobile phone coverage, digital adherence technologies (DAT) failures, and technical issues with the platform are common.45 In addition, low literacy levels are a barrier, especially for methods such as SMS, which require patients to be able to read and understand text messages.36,37,46

In addition, the success of this intervention also depends on the acceptance of patients and health workers. Some patients may feel uncomfortable with digital surveillance due to privacy, stigma, or cultural reasons. In some communities, traditional health practices may be deeply rooted, leading to resistance to adopting new technologies. Overcoming these cultural barriers through community engagement and education is critical to successful implementation.41,47 Lack of understanding or trust in new technologies among health workers can also hinder the implementation of digital-based methods.17,33 Addressing these challenges requires careful planning, investment in local resources, and the development of robust feedback and communication systems. By addressing these barriers, digital health technologies can improve TB treatment adherence and outcomes, especially in resource-constrained settings.

Implication for Practice

Digital technologies in TB management, such as VDOT, MERM, and SMS-based reminders, can facilitate continuity of care for TB patients. Health workers can use these technologies to monitor patients in real-time, reduce the need for in-person visits, and improve the efficiency of care, especially in areas with limited access. This integration of technologies helps maintain continuity of treatment while supporting more optimal resource allocation.

Training for health workers and infrastructure support, such as internet access and electronic devices, are needed for its success. Governments and policymakers also need to encourage the development of technologies that are appropriate to local needs. When appropriately implemented, digital technologies can be a critical innovation in improving patient outcomes and strengthening health systems.

Strengths and Limitations of Study

This review provides a structured synthesis of various DHIs used to support TB treatment, categorized based on intervention mechanisms such as reminders and remote monitoring. By highlighting the potential of these technologies to improve patient adherence, optimize healthcare worker performance, and ensure treatment continuity, the review offers practical insights for strengthening TB programs, particularly in resource-limited settings. Furthermore, the inclusion of recent studies and adherence to PRISMA guidelines enhance the methodological rigor and relevance of the findings to current digital health landscapes.

Despite its contributions, this review has several limitations. The number of included studies and participants remains limited, which may restrict the generalizability of the findings. In addition, there is a regional overrepresentation of studies from specific countries, particularly China and Ethiopia, potentially skewing conclusions if not interpreted within the appropriate local context. The diversity of social, cultural, and infrastructural conditions across countries is not fully reflected, which may affect the applicability of certain interventions globally.

Conclusion

Reminder-based and remote monitoring digital interventions offer substantial benefits in supporting continuity of care for TB patients. Reminder tools including SMS, phone calls, and electronic pillboxes are effective in improving patient adherence to medication schedules and clinical appointments. Meanwhile, remote monitoring technologies such as VDOT, MERM, and mobile applications facilitate real-time observation and support, even in the absence of face-to-face interaction between patients and healthcare workers. These interventions not only improve medication adherence, treatment success rates, and patient-provider communication but also offer time and cost efficiencies. Many patients perceive these tools as convenient, empowering, and conducive to a more positive treatment experience.

To maximize public health impact, DHIs should be systematically integrated into national TB control programs, in alignment with global strategies such as the WHO End TB Strategy, which emphasizes person-centered care, digital innovation, and equitable access. Effective implementation requires careful consideration of potential challenges, including limited internet infrastructure, low levels of digital literacy, and resistance to technology adoption particularly in rural and underserved areas. Addressing these challenges calls for adaptive approaches, such as community-based digital education, culturally appropriate intervention designs, and phased implementation tailored to local capacity and context. In addition, comprehensive training and ongoing support for healthcare workers play a vital role in ensuring successful adoption and operational sustainability. Further research is needed to evaluate long-term effectiveness, cost-efficiency, and the equity implications of digital interventions, especially within low-resource settings. When implemented thoughtfully, DHIs offer a scalable and adaptable solution to accelerate progress toward global tuberculosis elimination goals.

Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank Universitas Padjadjaran and Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP) scholarship for facilitating the database and funding this research.

Disclosure

The authors declare no conflicts of interest in this work.

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