Mapping the research landscape of mobile health applications: A systematic review and bibliometric analysis

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, this scoping review combines bibliometric and systematic analyses of 50 studies selected from 1,870 records screened for mobile health applications published between 2013 and 2024. The review identifies publication trends, conceptual structures, and key variables used in research. The findings reveal five thematic clusters under two main themes: user-centered experiences and psychological dimensions (1) and system-level design and health service integration (2). Although research on mobile health applications has grown rapidly, previous reviews lacked an integrated approach combining conceptual mapping with applied insights. This study addresses that gap by offering a foundation for future research and ecosystem development.