2 June 2025
A new study has found that using MediEmo, a fertility-focused smartphone app, may improve key outcomes for patients undergoing IVF treatment.
MediEmo is an evidence-based mobile app designed to support emotional wellbeing and medication adherence during fertility treatment. Researchers from NIHR ARC West, the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation and Behavioural Science and the Universities of Bristol, Southampton and Cardiff found that patients who used MediEmo were more likely to have a live birth after their first IVF cycle, and return for further treatment after an unsuccessful cycle, compared to those who did not use the app.
The three-year observational study tracked 1,081 patients undergoing IVF. Of these, 863 used MediEmo, while 218 did not. All the users used the medication management key feature of the app and some also used the emotional tracking feature.
The study found live birth rate after an initial IVF cycle to be higher among app users (28%) compared to non-users (19%). It also found app users to be more likely to return for further IVF treatment after an unsuccessful first cycle. Nearly half (46%) of app users came back for another round within a year, compared to 31% of non-users.
Although the app did not appear to improve live birth rates across all completed IVF cycles, researchers say the findings support the idea that digital tools could make a meaningful difference during what is often an emotionally and physically demanding treatment process.
“The observed association suggests MediEmo could offer real benefits to both patients and clinics,” the authors concluded. They noted, however, that further research, including randomised controlled trials, is needed to confirm the results and better understand how digital support tools can be most effectively used in fertility care.
China Harrison, Research Fellow at the University of Bristol and NIHR ARC West, said:
“Digital tools, including apps, are being increasingly used to support medical treatments. Our study highlights the importance of grounding their development in research and incorporating input from both patients and healthcare professionals. This approach ensures that such tools are practical, scalable, and capable of delivering measurable benefits for patients.”
Further information
About the NIHR
The mission of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. We do this by:
- Funding high quality, timely research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care;
- Investing in world-class expertise, facilities and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services;
- Partnering with patients, service users, carers and communities, improving the relevance, quality and impact of our research;
- Attracting, training and supporting the best researchers to tackle complex health and social care challenges;
- Collaborating with other public funders, charities and industry to help shape a cohesive and globally competitive research system;
- Funding applied global health research and training to meet the needs of the poorest people in low and middle income countries.
NIHR is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. Its work in low and middle income countries is principally funded through UK international development funding from the UK government.