Table 1 Summarizes the studies and their results

Christon et al. 2023 [3]

United States

To obtain feedback from key informants to design and tailor a patient-centered Sarcoidosis Patient Resource and Companion (SPARC) mHealth App developed for SPs to manage fatigue and stress at home using breathing awareness meditation

Mixed-methods (quantitative and qualitative research methods)

13 patients with sarcoidosis (≥ 18 years old) and Healthcare Team Members (HCTMs)

SPARC App-prototype and Fitbit Versa 2

sarcoidosis patients reported elevated fatigue on the FAS (M = 32.5 ± 6.4) and depression scores on the PHQ-8 in the mild range (M = 6.4 ± 2.2). Fatigue was most frequently indicated as a significant symptom (69%; n = 9) of SPs, followed by painful joints/muscles (n = 6; 46%), breathlessness (46%; n = 6), and cough (24%; n = 3)

On the Mobile Health Use and Knowledge measure , 46% of SPs had heard of Tele-health/mHealth prior to the project, and 38% had downloaded health-related Apps before

mHealth App (SPARC) was reported to be user friendly and to have potential for improving fatigue/stress

Heras et al

2022 [4]

Denmark

To investigate the usefulness and effectiveness of telerehabilitation on exercise capacity in patients with sarcoidosis

Single-center, prospective, randomized clinical trial

30 patients

(15 patients were randomized to TR with VAPA and 15 patients to the control group)

telerehabilitation program using the VAPA platform

Differences in meters walked (6MWTD) between groups was at baseline (-28.9 m (p = 0.58)), after 3 (+ 25.8 m (p = 0.57)), 6 (+ 48.4 m (p = 0.39)) and 9 months (+ 77.3 m (p = 0.18)) follow-up in favor of telerehabilitation. No differences were observed in MVC, 7 days pedometry, SGRQ-I, KBILD or GAD7. Exercise adherence in the intervention group was 64% and average exercise time was 28 min per exercise session during the first 3 months. Patient satisfaction scored 3.8 ± 0.7. No adverse events were reported

Chu et al

2022 [5]

United States

To investigate whether smartphones could assess the quality of life (QoL) and physical activity of a large cohort of individuals with sarcoidosis

Prospective, cross-sectional study

629 patients with sarcoidosis (≥ 18 years old)

mobile app (Sarcoidosis App)

Both QoL related to physical activity (P < .001, ρ = 0.250) and fatigue (P < .01, ρ = –0.203) correlated with actual smartphone-tracked physical activity

Drent et al

2020 [6]

Netherlands

To estimate the effect of continuous activity monitoring using an electronic activity tracker (AT) on exercise performance and fatigue of sarcoidosis patients, compared to controls (cohort study), and the effect of additional personal coaching (randomized trial) over a period of 3 months

Cohort study and a prospective randomized clinical trial

54 sarcoidosis patients

electronic activity tracker (AT)

The walking distance—both 6MWD distance and 6MWD,% of predicted—as well as the SRT and VO2max (mL/kg/min) increased significantly in the study sample wearing ATs, whereas fatigue decreased (p < 0.01). Patients wearing an AT and receiving personal coaching showed greater improvement of exercise capacity (SRT, F = 4.515, p = 0.039 and SRT VO2max mL/kg/min; F = 4.945, p = 0.031) over time

James et al

2019 [7]

United States

To explore the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a mHealth BAM stress management tool (Tension Tamer, TT) in the management of stress and fatigue in SPs

3-month proof of concept trial

18 SPs with significant SAF, defined as a Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) score of ≥ 22

mobile health (mHealth)

There were no significant differences (p > 0.1) between TT (Tension Tamer, TT) and SC (standard of care (SC)) in race (82% and 67% black, respectively), gender (91% and 83% female) and age (mean 49 and 46 years)

Baseline PSS (TT mean 25.5 vs 24.2) and FAS (TT mean 37.4 vs 35.1) scores were not significantly different (p > 0.1)

High acceptability (100% participation rate; 6% attrition during trial), self-efficacy for following the Tamer regimen (mean of 4.6 on a 5-point Likert scale) and adherence to the twice-daily regimen at month 1 (81%), month 2 (72%) and month 3 (65%)

The TT group reported greater reductions in stress (PSS) and fatigue (FAS) compared to the SC group at months 1 & 3 (p < .05 to < .07)

Moor et al

2019 [8]

Netherlands

To evaluate patient satisfaction and the feasibility of this home monitoring program, and to assess its possible role for future clinical trials and daily practice

Prospective observational study

10 outpatients with sarcoidosis (pulmonary involvement and age above 18 years)

online eHealth application (Sarconline)

Mean adherence to daily spirometry and activity tracking was, respectively, 94.6% and 91.3%