scholarly journals The Arabic Version of the Mobile App Rating Scale: Development and Validation Study

10.2196/16956 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e16956
Author(s):  
Marco Bardus ◽  
Nathalie Awada ◽  
Lilian A Ghandour ◽  
Elie-Jacques Fares ◽  
Tarek Gherbal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Management ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Highly Correlated

Background With thousands of health apps in app stores globally, it is crucial to systemically and thoroughly evaluate the quality of these apps due to their potential influence on health decisions and outcomes. The Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) is the only currently available tool that provides a comprehensive, multidimensional evaluation of app quality, which has been used to compare medical apps from American and European app stores in various areas, available in English, Italian, Spanish, and German. However, this tool is not available in Arabic. Objective This study aimed to translate and adapt MARS to Arabic and validate the tool with a sample of health apps aimed at managing or preventing obesity and associated disorders. Methods We followed a well-established and defined “universalist” process of cross-cultural adaptation using a mixed methods approach. Early translations of the tool, accompanied by confirmation of the contents by two rounds of separate discussions, were included and culminated in a final version, which was then back-translated into English. Two trained researchers piloted the MARS in Arabic (MARS-Ar) with a sample of 10 weight management apps obtained from Google Play and the App Store. Interrater reliability was established using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). After reliability was ascertained, the two researchers independently evaluated a set of additional 56 apps. Results MARS-Ar was highly aligned with the original English version. The ICCs for MARS-Ar (0.836, 95% CI 0.817-0.853) and MARS English (0.838, 95% CI 0.819-0.855) were good. The MARS-Ar subscales were highly correlated with the original counterparts (P<.001). The lowest correlation was observed in the area of usability (r=0.685), followed by aesthetics (r=0.827), information quality (r=0.854), engagement (r=0.894), and total app quality (r=0.897). Subjective quality was also highly correlated (r=0.820). Conclusions MARS-Ar is a valid instrument to assess app quality among trained Arabic-speaking users of health and fitness apps. Researchers and public health professionals in the Arab world can use the overall MARS score and its subscales to reliably evaluate the quality of weight management apps. Further research is necessary to test the MARS-Ar on apps addressing various health issues, such as attention or anxiety prevention, or sexual and reproductive health.

scholarly journals The Arabic Version of the Mobile App Rating Scale: Development and Validation Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Bardus ◽  
Nathalie Awada ◽  
Lilian A Ghandour ◽  
Elie-Jacques Fares ◽  
Tarek Gherbal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Management ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Highly Correlated

BACKGROUND With thousands of health apps in app stores globally, it is crucial to systemically and thoroughly evaluate the quality of these apps due to their potential influence on health decisions and outcomes. The Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) is the only currently available tool that provides a comprehensive, multidimensional evaluation of app quality, which has been used to compare medical apps from American and European app stores in various areas, available in English, Italian, Spanish, and German. However, this tool is not available in Arabic. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to translate and adapt MARS to Arabic and validate the tool with a sample of health apps aimed at managing or preventing obesity and associated disorders. METHODS We followed a well-established and defined “universalist” process of cross-cultural adaptation using a mixed methods approach. Early translations of the tool, accompanied by confirmation of the contents by two rounds of separate discussions, were included and culminated in a final version, which was then back-translated into English. Two trained researchers piloted the MARS in Arabic (MARS-Ar) with a sample of 10 weight management apps obtained from Google Play and the App Store. Interrater reliability was established using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). After reliability was ascertained, the two researchers independently evaluated a set of additional 56 apps. RESULTS MARS-Ar was highly aligned with the original English version. The ICCs for MARS-Ar (0.836, 95% CI 0.817-0.853) and MARS English (0.838, 95% CI 0.819-0.855) were good. The MARS-Ar subscales were highly correlated with the original counterparts (<i>P</i>&lt;.001). The lowest correlation was observed in the area of usability (<i>r</i>=0.685), followed by aesthetics (<i>r</i>=0.827), information quality (<i>r</i>=0.854), engagement (<i>r</i>=0.894), and total app quality (<i>r</i>=0.897). Subjective quality was also highly correlated (<i>r</i>=0.820). CONCLUSIONS MARS-Ar is a valid instrument to assess app quality among trained Arabic-speaking users of health and fitness apps. Researchers and public health professionals in the Arab world can use the overall MARS score and its subscales to reliably evaluate the quality of weight management apps. Further research is necessary to test the MARS-Ar on apps addressing various health issues, such as attention or anxiety prevention, or sexual and reproductive health.

scholarly journals Assessing the Quality of Mobile Phone Apps for Weight Management: User-Centered Study With Employees From a Lebanese University (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Bardus ◽  
Ahmed Ali ◽  
Farah Demachkieh ◽  
Ghassan Hamadeh
Keyword(s):  
Weight Management ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Mode Of Delivery ◽  
Nonparametric Tests ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Subjective Quality ◽  
User Centered

BACKGROUND Evaluating the quality of mobile health apps for weight loss and weight management is important to understand whether these can be used for obesity prevention and treatment. Recent reviews call for more research on multidimensional aspects of app quality, especially involving end users, as there are already many expert reviews on this domain. However, no quantitative study has investigated how laypersons see popular apps for weight management and perceive different dimensions of app quality. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore how laypersons evaluate the quality of 6 free weight management apps (My Diet Coach, SparkPeople, Lark, MyFitnessPal, MyPlate, and My Diet Diary), which achieved the highest quality ratings in a related and recent expert review. METHODS A user-centered study was conducted with 36 employees of a Lebanese university. Participants enrolled in the study on a rolling basis between October 2016 and March 2017. Participants were randomly assigned an app to use for 2 weeks. App quality was evaluated at the end of the trial period using the Mobile App Rating Scale user version (uMARS). uMARS assesses the dimensions of engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information, and subjective quality on 5-point scales. Internal consistency and interrater agreement were examined. The associations between uMARS scores and users’ demographic characteristics were also explored using nonparametric tests. Analyses were completed in November 2017. RESULTS Overall, the 6 apps were of moderately good quality (median uMARS score 3.6, interquartile range [IQR] 0.3). The highest total uMARS scores were achieved by Lark (mean 4.0 [SD 0.5]) and MyPlate (mean 3.8 [SD 0.4]), which also achieved the highest subjective quality scores (Lark: mean 3.3 [SD 1.4]; MyPlate: mean 3.3 [SD 0.8]). Functionality was the domain with the highest rating (median 3.9, IQR 0.3), followed by aesthetics (median 3.7, IQR 0.5), information (median 3.7, IQR 0.1), and engagement (median 3.3, IQR 0.2). Subjective quality was judged low (median 2.5, IQR 0.9). Overall, subjective quality was strongly and positively related (P<.001) with total uMARS score (ρ=.75), engagement (ρ=.68), information, and aesthetics (ρ=.60) but not functionality (ρ=.40; P=.02). Higher engagement scores were reported among healthy (P=.003) and obese individuals (P=.03), who also showed higher total uMARS (P=.04) and subjective quality (P=.05) scores. CONCLUSIONS Although the apps were considered highly functional, they were relatively weak in engagement and subjective quality scores, indicating a low propensity of using the apps in the future. As engagement was the subdomain most strongly associated with subjective quality, app developers and researchers should focus on creating engaging apps, holding constant the functionality, aesthetics, and information quality. The tested apps (in particular Lark and MyPlate) were perceived as more engaging and of higher quality among healthy, obese individuals, making them a promising mode of delivery for self-directed interventions promoting weight control among the sampled population or in similar and comparable settings.

scholarly journals The German Version of the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS-G): Development and Validation Study

10.2196/14479 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e14479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva-Maria Messner ◽  
Yannik Terhorst ◽  
Antonia Barke ◽  
Harald Baumeister ◽  
Stoyan Stoyanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Systematic Evaluation ◽  
German Version ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Health Apps

Background The number of mobile health apps (MHAs), which are developed to promote healthy behaviors, prevent disease onset, manage and cure diseases, or assist with rehabilitation measures, has exploded. App store star ratings and descriptions usually provide insufficient or even false information about app quality, although they are popular among end users. A rigorous systematic approach to establish and evaluate the quality of MHAs is urgently needed. The Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) is an assessment tool that facilitates the objective and systematic evaluation of the quality of MHAs. However, a German MARS is currently not available. Objective The aim of this study was to translate and validate a German version of the MARS (MARS-G). Methods The original 19-item MARS was forward and backward translated twice, and the MARS-G was created. App description items were extended, and 104 MHAs were rated twice by eight independent bilingual researchers, using the MARS-G and MARS. The internal consistency, validity, and reliability of both scales were assessed. Mokken scale analysis was used to investigate the scalability of the overall scores. Results The retranslated scale showed excellent alignment with the original MARS. Additionally, the properties of the MARS-G were comparable to those of the original MARS. The internal consistency was good for all subscales (ie, omega ranged from 0.72 to 0.91). The correlation coefficients (r) between the dimensions of the MARS-G and MARS ranged from 0.93 to 0.98. The scalability of the MARS (H=0.50) and MARS-G (H=0.48) were good. Conclusions The MARS-G is a reliable and valid tool for experts and stakeholders to assess the quality of health apps in German-speaking populations. The overall score is a reliable quality indicator. However, further studies are needed to assess the factorial structure of the MARS and MARS-G.

scholarly journals Analysis of Secure Apps for Daily Clinical Use by German Orthopedic Surgeons: Searching for the "Needle in a Haystack" (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Dittrich ◽  
Sascha Beck ◽  
Anna Katharina Harren ◽  
Felix Reinecke ◽  
Sebastian Serong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scale ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Clinical Routine ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
App Store ◽  
Orthopedic Surgeons ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Mobile Health Apps

BACKGROUND It is undeniable that appropriate smartphone apps offer enormous opportunities for dealing with future challenges in orthopedic surgery and public health, in general. However, it is still unclear how the apps currently available in the two major app stores can be used in daily clinical routine by German orthopedic surgeons. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to gain evidence regarding the quantity and quality of apps available in the two major app stores and their suitability for use by orthopedic surgeons in Germany. METHODS We conducted a systematic, keyword-based app store screening to obtain evidence concerning the quantity and quality of commercially available apps. Apps that met the inclusion criteria were evaluated using the <i>app synopsis–checklist for users</i> and the German Mobile App Rating Scale for secure use, trustworthiness, and quality. RESULTS The investigation revealed serious shortcomings regarding legal and medical aspects. Furthermore, most apps turned out to be useless and unsuitable for the clinical field of application (4242/4249, 99.84%). Finally, 7 trustworthy and high-quality apps (7/4249, 0.16%) offering secure usage in the daily clinical routine of orthopedists were identified. These apps mainly focused on education (5/7). None of them were CE (Conformité Européenne) certified. Moreover, there are no studies providing evidence that these apps have any positive use whatsoever. CONCLUSIONS The data obtained in our study suggest that the number of trustworthy and high-quality apps on offer is extremely low. Nowadays, finding appropriate apps in the fast-moving, complex, dynamic, and rudimentarily controlled app stores is most challenging. Promising approaches, for example, systematic app store screenings, app-rating developments, reviews or app libraries, and the creation of consistent standards have been established. However, further efforts are necessary to ensure that these innovative mobile health apps not only provide the correct information but are also safe to use in daily clinical practice.

scholarly journals Quality evaluation of smartphone applications for laboratory medicine

2018 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 388-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Snežana Jovičić ◽  
Joanna Siodmiak ◽  
Ian D. Watson
Keyword(s):  
Quality Evaluation ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Laboratory Medicine ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Subjective Quality ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Technical Aspects ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background Many of the mobile applications (apps) used for delivering health interventions involve laboratory medicine data. This survey was conducted to search the online market for health apps that manage laboratory medicine data. The aim was to review them and perform a quality evaluation. Methods Apps search criteria were “Lab results blood work”, “Lab results”, and “Health apps”. After the stepwise exclusion process, 52 selected apps were downloaded and analyzed. For review and content analysis of the apps, a multidimensional tool for classifying and rating the quality of mobile health apps – Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS), was used. Results Selected apps were classified into five categories according to their intended use by patients or physicians, and the type of data engaged. Spearman’s correlation analysis found significant correlations between MARS individual scoring items, as with the subjective quality and number of technical aspects. Kruskal-Wallis analysis showed a significant difference in the number of technical aspects employed, MARS engagement and informational quality score items, total score, and subjective quality. The lowest values for all of these items were in the category of apps designed for patients, and the post hoc test showed that the difference was statistically significant between this and the values in all other categories. Conclusions Apps designed for patients, are of the poorest quality, considering the total quality of the content and information they provide, estimated using the MARS tool. This estimation needs to be validated for laboratory medicine apps, and eventually modified after consideration of specific quality benchmarks.

scholarly journals Mobile-based interventions for common mental disorders in youth: a systematic evaluation of pediatric health apps

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Domhardt ◽  
Eva-Maria Messner ◽  
Anna-Sophia Eder ◽  
Sophie Engler ◽  
Lasse B. Sander ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Abstract Background The access to empirically-supported treatments for common mental disorders in children and adolescents is often limited. Mental health apps might extend service supplies, as they are deemed to be cost-efficient, scalable and appealing for youth. However, little is known about the quality of available apps. Therefore, we aimed to systematically evaluate current mobile-based interventions for pediatric anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods Systematic searches were conducted in Google Play Store and Apple App Store to identify relevant apps. To be eligible for inclusion, apps needed to be: (1) designed to target either anxiety, depression or PTSD in youth (0–18 years); (2) developed for children, adolescents or caregivers; (3) provided in English or German; (4) operative after download. The quality of eligible apps was assessed with two standardized rating systems (i.e., Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) and ENLIGHT) independently by two reviewers. Results Overall, the searches revealed 3806 apps, with 15 mental health apps (0.39%) fulfilling our inclusion criteria. The mean overall scores suggested a moderate app quality (MARS: M = 3.59, SD = 0.50; ENLIGHT: M = 3.22, SD = 0.73). Moreover, only one app was evaluated in an RCT. The correlation of both rating scales was high (r = .936; p < .001), whereas no significant correlations were found between rating scales and user ratings (p > .05). Conclusions Our results point to a rather poor overall app quality, and indicate an absence of scientific-driven development and lack of methodologically sound evaluation of apps. Thus, future high-quality research is required, both in terms of theoretically informed intervention development and assessment of mental health apps in RCTs. Furthermore, institutionalized best-practices that provide central information on different aspects of apps (e.g., effectiveness, safety, and data security) for patients, caregivers, stakeholders and mental health professionals are urgently needed.

96 The pediatric health app landscape: Results of an environmental scan

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. e69-e69
Author(s):  
James Benoit ◽  
Lisa Hartling ◽  
Shannon Scott
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
First Aid ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Subjective Quality ◽  
Pediatric Health ◽  
Environmental Scan ◽  
Childhood Illnesses ◽  
Health Apps

Abstract Primary Subject area Technology Background Providing resources that aid in detection and identification of serious childhood illness helps parents feel better equipped to assess their child’s health and significantly changes parental health-seeking behaviours. Some of these resources are limited by accessibility and scalability. Remote locations and staffing limitations create challenges for parents aiming to access health information about their child. Mobile health (mHealth) apps offer a scalable, accessible solution for improving health literacy by enabling access to health information through mobile devices. Objectives To systematically identify all Canadian and US child health apps for parents. Design/Methods We used an environmental scan approach – a review designed to summarize information for decision makers. The Android and Apple app marketplaces were used as search platforms. We built a list of search terms and used these platforms to search for apps targeted at parents, related to pediatric illnesses in US and Canada. Then once we determined that the app met the inclusion criteria, each included app was assessed using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS), a validated tool for assessing health apps. The MARS examines apps on five domains: engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information quality, and subjective quality. Results 650 unique apps were screened and 53 apps were included. On a scale of 1-5, the 53 apps assessed had an average Engagement score of 2.82/5 (θ = 0.86), Functionality of 3.98/5 (θ = 0.72), Aesthetics of 3.09/5 (θ = 0.87), Information quality of 2.73/5 (θ = 1.32), and Subjective quality of 2.2 (θ = 0.79). App scores ranged from 2.2/5 to 4.5/5 (µ= 3.2, θ =0.6).The top three apps were Baby and Child First Aid (4.5/5), Ada (4.5/5), and HANDi Paediatric (4.2/5). Taken together, the top three apps covered topics of emergency pediatric first aid, identification of (and appropriate response to) common childhood illnesses, a means of checking symptoms, and a means of responding to emergency situations. There was a lack of Canadian-based app content available to parents in both marketplaces. In addition, published evidence of the included apps’ impact was poor: only 5/53 apps had an evidence base showing the app had been trialed. Conclusion There is a need for evidence-based apps of Canadian origin related to childhood illnesses. The results of this scan created a picture of the health app landscape by examining trends in apps related to pediatric health that are readily available to parents, and by identifying gaps in app design that can be addressed.

scholarly journals Analysis of Secure Apps for Daily Clinical Use by German Orthopedic Surgeons: Searching for the "Needle in a Haystack"

10.2196/17085 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. e17085 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Dittrich ◽  
Sascha Beck ◽  
Anna Katharina Harren ◽  
Felix Reinecke ◽  
Sebastian Serong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scale ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Clinical Routine ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
App Store ◽  
Orthopedic Surgeons ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Mobile Health Apps

Background It is undeniable that appropriate smartphone apps offer enormous opportunities for dealing with future challenges in orthopedic surgery and public health, in general. However, it is still unclear how the apps currently available in the two major app stores can be used in daily clinical routine by German orthopedic surgeons. Objective This study aimed to gain evidence regarding the quantity and quality of apps available in the two major app stores and their suitability for use by orthopedic surgeons in Germany. Methods We conducted a systematic, keyword-based app store screening to obtain evidence concerning the quantity and quality of commercially available apps. Apps that met the inclusion criteria were evaluated using the app synopsis–checklist for users and the German Mobile App Rating Scale for secure use, trustworthiness, and quality. Results The investigation revealed serious shortcomings regarding legal and medical aspects. Furthermore, most apps turned out to be useless and unsuitable for the clinical field of application (4242/4249, 99.84%). Finally, 7 trustworthy and high-quality apps (7/4249, 0.16%) offering secure usage in the daily clinical routine of orthopedists were identified. These apps mainly focused on education (5/7). None of them were CE (Conformité Européenne) certified. Moreover, there are no studies providing evidence that these apps have any positive use whatsoever. Conclusions The data obtained in our study suggest that the number of trustworthy and high-quality apps on offer is extremely low. Nowadays, finding appropriate apps in the fast-moving, complex, dynamic, and rudimentarily controlled app stores is most challenging. Promising approaches, for example, systematic app store screenings, app-rating developments, reviews or app libraries, and the creation of consistent standards have been established. However, further efforts are necessary to ensure that these innovative mobile health apps not only provide the correct information but are also safe to use in daily clinical practice.

scholarly journals Weight Management Apps in Saudi Arabia: Evaluation of Features and Quality (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalal M Alshathri ◽  
Abeer S Alhumaimeedy ◽  
Ghada Al-Hudhud ◽  
Aseel Alsaleh ◽  
Sara Al-Musharaf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Management ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
User Perceptions ◽  
App Store ◽  
The Mean

BACKGROUND Weight management apps may provide support and management options for individuals with overweight and obesity. Research on the quality of weight management mHealth apps among the Saudi population is insufficient despite frequent use. OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to explore user perceptions of weight management apps, explore reasons for starting and stopping app use, appraise the quality of weight management apps available in the App Store, and compare the features currently available within the app market and those that are most desirable to weight management app users. METHODS A web-based survey consisted of 31 open and closed questions about sociodemographic information, general health questions, app use, app user perceptions, and discontinuation of app use. The quality of the weight management apps available on the App Store was assessed using the Mobile App Rating Scale and evidence-based strategies. We also used six sigma evaluations to ensure that the quality measured by the tools consistently meets customer expectations. RESULTS Data from the survey were analyzed. Of the respondents, 30.17% (324/1074) had used a weight management app, 18.16% (195/1074) used the apps and stopped, and 51.68% (555/1074) had never used a weight management app. Of apps mentioned, 23 met the inclusion criteria. The overall average Mobile App Rating Scale quality of apps was acceptable; 30% (7/23) received a quality mean score of 4 or higher (out of 5), and 30% (7/23) did not meet the acceptability score of 3 or higher. Evidence-based strategy results showed that feedback was not observed in any of the apps, and motivation strategy was observed in only 1 app. The sigma results of evidence-based strategies reflect that most of the apps fail to pass the mean. CONCLUSIONS App users desired a feature that allows them to communicate with a specialist, which is a missing in the available free apps. Despite the large number and accessibility of weight management apps, the quality and features of most are variable. It can be concluded from six sigma results that passing the mean does not ensure that the quality is consistently distributed through all app quality properties and Mobile App Rating Scale and evidence-based strategies do not give developers an indication of the acceptance of their apps by mobile users. This finding stresses the importance of reevaluating the passing criterion, which is ≥50% for designing an effective app.

scholarly journals Weight Management Apps in Saudi Arabia: Evaluation of Features and Quality

10.2196/19844 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. e19844
Author(s):  
Dalal M Alshathri ◽  
Abeer S Alhumaimeedy ◽  
Ghada Al-Hudhud ◽  
Aseel Alsaleh ◽  
Sara Al-Musharaf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Management ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
User Perceptions ◽  
App Store ◽  
The Mean

Background Weight management apps may provide support and management options for individuals with overweight and obesity. Research on the quality of weight management mHealth apps among the Saudi population is insufficient despite frequent use. Objective The aims of this study were to explore user perceptions of weight management apps, explore reasons for starting and stopping app use, appraise the quality of weight management apps available in the App Store, and compare the features currently available within the app market and those that are most desirable to weight management app users. Methods A web-based survey consisted of 31 open and closed questions about sociodemographic information, general health questions, app use, app user perceptions, and discontinuation of app use. The quality of the weight management apps available on the App Store was assessed using the Mobile App Rating Scale and evidence-based strategies. We also used six sigma evaluations to ensure that the quality measured by the tools consistently meets customer expectations. Results Data from the survey were analyzed. Of the respondents, 30.17% (324/1074) had used a weight management app, 18.16% (195/1074) used the apps and stopped, and 51.68% (555/1074) had never used a weight management app. Of apps mentioned, 23 met the inclusion criteria. The overall average Mobile App Rating Scale quality of apps was acceptable; 30% (7/23) received a quality mean score of 4 or higher (out of 5), and 30% (7/23) did not meet the acceptability score of 3 or higher. Evidence-based strategy results showed that feedback was not observed in any of the apps, and motivation strategy was observed in only 1 app. The sigma results of evidence-based strategies reflect that most of the apps fail to pass the mean. Conclusions App users desired a feature that allows them to communicate with a specialist, which is a missing in the available free apps. Despite the large number and accessibility of weight management apps, the quality and features of most are variable. It can be concluded from six sigma results that passing the mean does not ensure that the quality is consistently distributed through all app quality properties and Mobile App Rating Scale and evidence-based strategies do not give developers an indication of the acceptance of their apps by mobile users. This finding stresses the importance of reevaluating the passing criterion, which is ≥50% for designing an effective app.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document