BackgroundSmartphones and their applications (apps) impact society and health care. With the growth of smartphone users and app downloads in China, patients with chronic diseases have access to a self-management strategy for physical activity. Although studies report physical activity apps improve the physical activity of patients, data is limited concerning their use of these apps. Therefore, this study investigated the current usage, willingness to use, and barriers to using physical activity apps of Chinese patients with chronic diseases.MethodsWe designed a questionnaire to collect data from chronic disease patients in a tertiary hospital in Beijing, which was sent to 250 patients in four departments.ResultsTwo hundred eighteen questionnaires were returned (87.2% response rate). Most (92.7%) respondents owned a smartphone, 34.9% had used a physical activity app, and 18.8% were current users. Additionally, 53.7% were willing to use a physical activity app designed for them. Respondents more likely to use physical activity apps were younger (i.e., ≤ 44 years), more educated, current smartphone users, and previous users of physical activity apps; moreover, they believed they needed exercise, their disease required exercise instruction and support, and their physical status needed monitored when exercising (p < 0.05). Main barriers to using apps reported were insufficient function, difficulty of use, extra cost, and security issues.ConclusionsOur results indicate sizeable smartphone ownership among Chinese patients with chronic diseases; moreover, over half of our participants report they would use a physical activity app designed for them. This information can be leveraged by healthcare workers managing patients with chronic diseases.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12911-017-0446-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background Diabetes self-management and glycemic control are suboptimal among Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes with a large proportion of patients identified with metabolic syndrome. Objectives Based on social cognitive theory, this study examines the effect of selected personal, behavioral, and environmental factors on self-management behaviors, glycemic control, metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 207 Chinese with Type 2 diabetes living in a suburban area of Beijing, China. Regression models were applied to examine the effect of selected personal, behavioral, and environmental factors on self-management behaviors, glycemic control, and metabolic syndrome. The relationship among individual self-management behaviors, glycemic control, and metabolic syndrome was also examined. Results Self-efficacy was significantly associated with all self-management behaviors. Social support was related to overall self-management, diabetes knowledge was related to diet, and depressive symptoms was related to self-monitoring. Problem-solving and self-management behaviors related to medication adherence and diet were significant correlates of glycemic control. Health literacy and self-management behaviors related to physical activity were correlates of metabolic syndrome. Discussion Findings suggest that a multifactorial approach may be beneficial when providing care for Chinese with Type 2 diabetes. In addition, these findings provide support for developing and testing tailored interventions that address problem-solving, health literacy, and self-efficacy, among other factors, to help patients achieve optimal glycemic control and thereby reduce their risk for metabolic syndrome and related complications.