INTRODUCTION: The influence of text message on self-management for coronary heart disease remains controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the impact of text message versus usual care on self-management for coronary heart disease. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through July 2018 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), assessing the effect of text message versus usual care on self-management for coronary heart disease. This meta-analysis is performed using the random-effect model. RESULTS:
Six RCTs involving 1,158 patients are included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with a control group for coronary heart disease, text message intervention has no substantial influence on self-efficacy (Std. MD = 2.37; 95% CI = -2.61 to 7.35; P = .35), LDL (Std. MD = -1.81; 95% CI = -4.80 to 1.18; P = .24), HDL (Std. MD = -1.15; 95% CI = -2.83 to 0.54; P = .18), BMI (Std. MD = -3.61; 95% CI = -9.48 to 2.26; P = .23), systolic blood pressure (Std. MD = -3.46; 95% CI = -9.03 to 2.12; P = .22), diastolic blood pressure (Std. MD = -2.03; 95% CI = -5.90 to 1.85; P = .31, non-smoker (RR = 1.12; 95% CI = 0.78 to 1.62; P = .53), and physical activity (RR = 1.57; 95% CI = 0.63 to 3.90; P = .33). CONCLUSIONS: Text message intervention demonstrates no positive impact on self-efficacy, treatment adherence, and the control of risk factors in patients with coronary heart disease.