scholarly journals Mobile applications dealing with Parkinson�s disease: A systematic review (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Estevez-Martin ◽  
M. Emilia Cambronero ◽  
Yolanda García-Ruiz ◽  
Luis Llana
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Operating Systems ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Market Analysis ◽  
Single Application ◽  
App Store ◽  
Acquisition Costs ◽  
Google Play ◽  
Good Rating

BACKGROUND Numerous PD-related applications have been developed in recent years, particularly for the major operating systems: Android and iOS. Besides, there is not a single application that covers all aspects of the Parkinson's Disease. In fact, different symptoms are treated with very different apps. OBJECTIVE Our goal is to carry out a systematic review of available apps related with PD for the operating systems iOS and Android. In addition, our goal is also to classify the apps according to their approach to the disease. METHODS We searched the term “Parkinson” in Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. After sieving non PD-related apps, we examined the PD apps to assess their features of usability and to classify in different categories depending on the symptoms that are treated or the therapy that is applied. RESULTS The number of free apps (72.2%) is significantly higher than paid apps (27.8%) and price of paid apps differ slightly between the operating systems. Apps rated by Android users (82.7%) are more than apps rated by iOS users (26.1%) and in general apps have a good rating. There is no correlation between price and valuation by users. With respect to the distribution of the classification, apps focused on motion and tremor and apps dedicated to health professionals and researchers are the most downloaded. CONCLUSIONS This study evidences that the development of the applications dedicated to the PD is quite parallel in both systems. Additionally, we have performed a comparative market analysis considering operating systems, acquisition costs, popularity or user rating, and the distribution in the classification.

Mobile Applications for Allergic Rhinitis

2018 ◽  
Vol 127 (11) ◽  
pp. 836-840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert H. Zhou ◽  
Varesh R. Patel ◽  
Soly Baredes ◽  
Jean Anderson Eloy ◽  
Wayne D. Hsueh
Keyword(s):  
Allergic Rhinitis ◽  
Operating Systems ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
App Store ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Pollen Forecast ◽  
Google Play

Objective: To study and review the currently available mobile applications relating to allergic rhinitis. Methods: The Apple and Google mobile app stores were queried with search terms relating to allergic rhinitis. Apps were assigned to categories and analyzed based on description and characteristics such as popularity, reviews, cost, platform, and physician involvement in development. Results: A total of 72 apps related to allergic rhinitis were identified. Fifty-four apps were unique, with 18 apps found on both operating systems. Forty (55.5%) apps were available in the Apple App store, and 32 (44.4%) apps were available in the Google Play app store. They were grouped into the following categories: patient education (18; 25%), journals (15; 20.8%), symptom tracking (14; 19.4%), clinical/private practice (13; 18.1%), pollen forecast (7; 9.7%), medical education (4; 5.6%), and other (1; 1.4%). The majority of apps were free of charge (67; 93.1%), with paid apps ranging from $1.47 to $4.99. Apps that were reviewed had an average rating of 3.9 out of 5. Physicians were involved in the development of 37 (51.4%) apps. Conclusions: The collection of mobile apps developed for allergic rhinitis includes those for both educational and clinical use. Mobile apps may have an increasing role in otolaryngic allergy and rhinology practices in the future. Thus, continued research is warranted to determine the best way to ensure the accuracy and quality of app content as well as the extent mobile apps can benefit allergic rhinitis patients.

Mobile Applications for Health Management of Older Adults: A Scoping Review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Asilah Ahmad ◽  
Shahrul Azman Mohd Noah ◽  
Arimi Fitri Mat Ludin ◽  
Suzana Shahar ◽  
Noorlaili Mohd Tohit
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Personalized Feedback ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
App Store ◽  
Evidenced Based ◽  
Google Play

BACKGROUND Currently, the use of smartphones to deliver health-related content has experienced a rapid growth, with more than 165,000 mobile health (mHealth) applications currently available in the digital marketplace such as iOS store and Google Play. Among these, there are several mobile applications (mobile apps) that offer tools for disease prevention and management among older generations. These mobile apps could potentially promote health behaviors which will reduce or delay the onset of disease. However, no review to date that has focused on the app marketplace specific for older adults and little is known regarding its evidence-based quality towards the health of older adults. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to characterize and critically appraise the content and functionality of mobile apps that focuses on health management and/or healthy lifestyle among older adults. METHODS An electronic search was conducted between May 2019 to December 2019 of the official app store for two major smartphone operating systems: iPhone operating system (iTunes App Store) and Android (Google Play Store). Stores were searched separately using predetermined search terms. Two authors screened apps based on information provided in the app description. Metadata from all included apps were abstracted into a standard assessment criteria form. Evidenced based strategies and health care expert involvement of included apps was assessed. Evidenced based strategies included: self-monitoring, goal setting, physical activity support, healthy eating support, weight and/or health assessment, personalized feedback, motivational strategies, cognitive training and social support. Two authors verified the data with reference to the apps and downloaded app themselves. RESULTS A total of 16 apps met the inclusion criteria. Six out of 16 (37.5%) apps were designed exclusively for the iOS platform while ten out of 16 (62.5%) were designed for Android platform exclusively. Physical activity component was the most common feature offered in all the apps (9/16, 56.3%) and followed by cognitive training (8/16, 50.0%). Diet/nutrition (0/16, 0%) feature, however, was not offered on all reviewed mobile apps. Of reviewed apps, 56.3% (9/16) provide education, 37.5% (6/16) provide self-monitoring features, 18.8% (3/16) provide goal setting features, 18.5% (3/16) provide personalized feedback, 6.3% (1/16) provide social support and none of the reviewed apps offers heart rate monitoring and reminder features to the users. CONCLUSIONS All reviewed mobile apps for older adults in managing health did not focused on diet/nutrition component, lack of functional components and lack of health care professional involvement in their development process. There is also a need to carry out scientific testing prior to the development of the app to ensure cost effective and its health benefits to older adults. Collaborative efforts between developers, researchers, health professionals and patients are needed in developing evidence-based, high quality mobile apps in managing health prior they are made available in the app store.

scholarly journals Mobile-Assisted Pronunciation Training: The Google Play Pronunciation and Phonetics Application

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-88
Author(s):  
Fitria Meisarah
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Video Camera ◽  
App Store ◽  
Suprasegmental Features ◽  
English Pronunciation ◽  
Android App ◽  
The University ◽  
Google Play

Background:  Several obstacles to pronunciation have been proposed and urged students to practice pronunciation deliberately. Regardless of these problematic, mobile applications can be a great assistant in pronunciation training. However, considering that Google Play is the most prominent android app store with 227,970 instructional devices, it is challenging to find and select pronunciation and phonetics applications. Students should be conscious of their needs by recognizing the proper mobile application for pronunciation learning. This study explores the pronunciation applications utilized by students for pronunciation learning in and out of the classroom. Methodology: This study administered the data with paper reports and interviews accompanying students. This study involved 41 students who were taking a pronunciation and phonetics course at the University of Kutai Kartanegara Tenggarong. Findings: Nine such applications, as reviewed in this study, are divided into two categories: English pronunciation special purpose (EPSP) application and English dictionary assisted pronunciation (EDAP) application. Noteworthy findings were not all of the applications fulfill the content and design approaches such the suprasegmental features, audio playback, and video camera recorder. Conclusion: This study endeavors to have a critical look at four applications recommended after concerning the term of Mobile Assisted Pronunciation Training (MAPT). They are AV Phonetic, English Phonetic Pronunciation, Listening Practice, English Pronunciation developed by Kepham, and U-Dictionary to assist pronunciation learning in and out of the classroom. Keywords: Pronunciation and phonetics; mobile application; MAPT

Methodological issues in reporting of systematic reviews of mobile applications: A scoping review (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Grainger ◽  
Hemakumar Devan ◽  
Bahram Sangelaji ◽  
Jean Hay-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Systematic Search ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
App Store

BACKGROUND An emerging literature describes systematic reviews of the app stores to identify mobile applications (apps) to support diagnosis, assessment or management of health conditions. There are currently no guidelines for the conduct and reporting of methods of these studies. The first step in developing guidelines is to evaluate current reporting of methods of systematic reviews of health apps. OBJECTIVE The aims of this scoping review were: 1. To identify what parts of the ‘usual’ methods of systematic review are used and adapted in app-focused systematic reviews; 2. To describe how methods of critical appraisal are adapted and done; and 3. To assess what clinical recommendations are made and the ‘strength’ of those recommendations. METHODS A systematic search of seven databases was undertaken to identify app-focused systematic reviews meeting the inclusion criteria: (1) the article was “systematic” defined by “systematic review” in the title OR an a priori systematic search procedure described in the article methods OR the app search process described based on PRISMA standard flow diagram; (2) the article described a systematic search for apps in at least one app store; (3) the article focused on a named health condition; and (4) the focus of the article was apps for people with any diagnosed acute or chronic health condition or for clinicians in direct clinical care. Articles were excluded if not in English, focused on general or psychological health or nutrition. A data extraction template was created based on standard data elements in PRISMA guidelines. The extracted data from the included articles were summarised by frequencies. RESULTS From 2798 records, 26 of the 177 potentially eligible full text articles were included. In the 26 included app-focused systematic reviews, many of the typical procedures of a systematic review as operationalized for app-focused reviews were not reported at all, or not clearly reported. Absences, lack of clarity or completeness of reporting occured in: a priori review protocol registration or following a reporting guideline; the processes of screening apps in the app stores; the data extracted from app store description or the device the app was downloaded to for data extraction; and appraisal tools for assessing the app quality, usability or clinical content. Further, there was no explicit reporting of clinical efficacy of apps or recommendations for use in the majority of reviews. CONCLUSIONS The reporting of methods used in app-focused systematic reviews is variable and could be substantially improved. Development and publication of consensus reporting guidelines would increase transparency and quality of published studies. A repository for registration of reviews would ensure reviews are easy to find and not duplicated. These steps would also enable clinicians and people with health conditions to more easily find high quality apps.

Dark Skin Representation within Mobile Applications for Dermatology Education: an Observational Analysis (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhys Dore
Keyword(s):  
Health Professionals ◽  
Ethnic Diversity ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Application Technology ◽  
Dark Skin ◽  
Acral Lentiginous Melanoma ◽  
Keloid Scarring ◽  
Google Play

BACKGROUND Ethnic diversity in dermatology has previously been neglected within educational curricula. This has previously been demonstrated within many established dermatology textbooks. Many urban populations find their communities becoming increasingly diverse and medical education must match these changes. The increasing use and modernisation of mobile technology in health education may represent an avenue to provide increasingly diverse knowledge related to dermatology in dark skin populations. OBJECTIVE To review the representation of dark skin photography and diseases in dermatological educational resources provided via mobile application technology. METHODS Mobile applications related to ‘dermatology’ were reviewed within the Google Play Store. Only original mobile applications made for education of medical students or health professionals were analysed. Photographic depictions of dermatological conditions were categorised according to Fitzpatrick type 1-4, Fitzpatrick type 5-6, or uncertain. Additionally, mobile applications were reviewed for information regarding four conditions more common in people with darker skin: central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, melasma, acral lentiginous melanoma, and keloid scarring. RESULTS Of 200 mobile applications reviewed, 12 were included within the analysis. In total 3755 in-app photographs were categorised into Fitzpatrick type 1-4 (3398 photographs, 90.5%), Fitzpatrick type 5-6 (245 photographs, 6.5%), or uncertain (112 photographs, 3.0%). The degree of photographs showing Fitzpatrick 5-6 ranged from 0.7% to 17.6% between the different mobile applications. This was not significantly different from results previously gained from photographic depictions in dermatology textbooks. Furthermore, the number of mobile applications presenting overt educational information regarding the four conditions reviewed varied considerably; central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (1 application, 8.3%), melasma (5 applications, 41.7%), acral lentiginous melanoma (4 applications, 33.3%), and keloid scarring (6 applications, 50%). No mobile applications contained information for all four conditions. CONCLUSIONS There is limited depiction of dermatological conditions in darker skin tones within mobile applications aimed at educational students and professionals in dermatology.

scholarly journals A systematic review of the smartphone applications available for corona virus disease 2019 (COVID19) and their assessment using the mobile app rating scale (MARS)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samira Davalbhakta ◽  
Shailesh Advani ◽  
Shobhit Kumar ◽  
Vishwesh Agarwal ◽  
Samruddhi Bhoyar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Mobile Platforms ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Google Play

AbstractThe global impact of COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need to rapidly develop and improve utilization of mobile applications across the healthcare continuum to address rising barriers of access to care due to social distancing challenges and allow continuity in sharing of health information, assist with COVID-19 activities including contact tracing, and providing useful information as needed. Here we provide an overview of mobile applications being currently utilized for COVID-19 related activities. We performed a systematic review of the literature and mobile platforms to assess mobile applications been currently utilized for COVID-19, and quality assessment of these applications using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) for overall quality, Engagement, Functionality, Aesthetics, and Information. Finally, we provide an overview of the key salient features that should be included in mobile applications being developed for future use. Our search identified 63 apps that are currently being used for COVID-19. Of these, 25 were selected from the Google play store and Apple App store in India, and 19 each from the UK and US. 18 apps were developed for sharing up to date information on COVID-19, and 8 were used for contact tracing while 9 apps showed features of both. On MARS Scale, overall scores ranged from 2.4 to 4.8 with apps scoring high in areas of functionality and lower in Engagement. Future steps should involve developing and testing of mobile applications using assessment tools like the MARS scale and the study of their impact on health behaviors and outcomes.

scholarly journals Gambling Prevention Mobile Applications: Understanding the Inclusion and Use of Behaviour Change Techniques

2021 ◽  
pp. 110-121
Author(s):  
Tom St Quinton ◽  
Ben Morris
Keyword(s):  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Health Behaviour ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Online Gambling ◽  
Behaviour Change Techniques ◽  
Gambling Problems ◽  
Behaviour Change Technique ◽  
App Store ◽  
Google Play ◽  
Gambling Prevention

Online gambling is emerging as a significant health behaviour of concern at a population level. Mobile applications (apps) are a popular tool to target change in health behaviour. Behaviour change techniques (BCTs) can be included within such apps to change relevant psychological mechanisms along established pathways, yet the content of apps targeting gambling problems specifically is not currently known. The purpose of the review was to identify the BCTs included in gambling prevention apps. Apps were downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in October 2020. Apps were included if they related to gambling problems, were freely downloadable, and available in English. Once downloaded, two researchers independently coded the apps in November 2020 using the behaviour change technique taxonomy version 1 (Michie et al., 2013). The screening led to forty apps meeting the inclusion criteria (12 Apple App Store, 28 Google Play). The analyses identified 32 BCTs (20 Apple apps, 28 Google Play apps), with apps including between 0 and 9 BCTs (mean = 2.82, median = 2). The BCTs included most frequently were “3.1. Social support (unspecified),” “2.3. Self-monitoring of behaviour,” and “7.4. Remove access to the reward.” The review provides important information on the BCTs used in apps developed to reduce gambling-related problems. A limited number of BCTs were adopted within apps. Developers of apps seeking to develop effective gambling reduction products should draw upon a greater variety of BCTs.  

Guidelines for Regulating or Rating Mental Health Mobile Applications: A Systematic Review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qijin Cheng ◽  
Zirui Chen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Chinese Literature ◽  
Professional Organizations ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Set Up

BACKGROUND Increasing number of mobile applications (apps) have been released to the market to address mental health needs; however, their quality varies. Mental health professionals have been advocating to set up regulating policies or rating guidelines to facilitate users to make informed choice. OBJECTIVE The study aims to map out the landscape and ecosystem of existing regulating policies and rating guidelines concerning mental health apps, streamline core rating criteria, and identify what knowledge and policy gaps exist. METHODS A systematic review was conducted on both English and Chinese literature. Not only academic publication databases but also popular search engines were searched to identify relevant policies or guidelines. Eligible publications were analyzed to identify key stakeholders in the ecosystem of regulating and rating mental health apps, and common approaches and criteria of the regulating or rating. What limitations exist and what improvement should be achieved in order to make good use of mental health apps were then discussed. RESULTS 56 articles were found to meet our inclusion criteria, covering 31 sets of regulating policies, rating protocols, or specific recommendations. Key stakeholders include app developers, governments, app stores, mental health professionals, and individual users. Only very few countries have released specific regulation policies for mental health apps, whereas app stores were almost absent on this matter. Mental health professionals have been advocating to set up rating guidelines but they did not always engage app developers or ordinary users. Regulation approach is to extend existing regulations on medical devices to mental health apps that self-claim for medical use. Quality rating approach is using either a checklist or a scoring scheme to rate mental health apps’ compliance with some criteria. Specific criteria include privacy and data protection, protecting user safety and minimize risks, evidence-based, usability and front-end accessibility, system interoperability, technical stability, cost, and information timeliness. CONCLUSIONS Only very few jurisdictions and professional organizations in the world have released regulating policies or rating guidelines on mental health apps, which can serve as a basis for other policymakers and professional organizations to adapt. The current regulating policies are rather vague with their applicable scope, whereas the current rating guidelines have relatively high requirement with raters’ capability. Future development needs to address the two major limitations. CLINICALTRIAL Nil.

scholarly journals Mobile Applications in Mood Disorders and Mental Health: Systematic Search in Apple App Store and Google Play Store and Review of the Literature (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Eis ◽  
Oriol Solà-Morales ◽  
Andrea Duarte-Díaz ◽  
Josep Vidal-Alaball ◽  
Lilisbeth Perestelo-Perez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
App Store ◽  
Population Mental Health ◽  
Google Play

BACKGROUND There are thousands of health apps available, including for mood disorders. However, their access is unstructured, and most are never download nor used. Their outcomes are rarely systematically measured and therefore effectiveness is disputed, even potentially damaging. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed and continues to pose a significant burden on population mental health, yet it has also given rise to rapid eHealth development. However, despite increasing reliance on eHealth solutions, major knowledge gaps on their utility and effectiveness persist. OBJECTIVE The main objective of this work was to explore and characterize the current landscape of mobile applications available to treat mood disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, and dysthymia. METHODS We developed a tool that makes both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store searchable using keywords and that facilitates the extraction of basic app information of the search results. All app results were filtered using various inclusion and exclusion criteria. We characterised all resultant applications according to their technical details. Furthermore, we searched for scientific publications on each app’s website and PubMed, to understand whether any of the apps were supported by any type of scientific evidence on their acceptability, validation, use, effectiveness, etc. RESULTS Thirty apps were identified that fit the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The literature search yielded 27 publications related to the apps. However, these did not exclusively concern mood disorders. 6 were randomised studies and the rest included a protocol, pilot-, feasibility, case-, or qualitative studies, among others. The majority of studies were conducted on relatively small scales and 9 of the 27 studies did not explicitly study the effects of mobile application use on mental wellbeing. CONCLUSIONS While there exists a wealth of mobile applications aimed at the treatment of mental health disorders, including mood disorders, this study has shown that only a handful of these are backed by robust scientific evidence. This result uncovers a need for further clinically-oriented and systematic validation and testing of such apps.

scholarly journals Mobile Health Strategies to Tackle Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases With Recommendations From Innovative Experiences: Systematic Review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carme Carrion ◽  
Noemí Robles ◽  
Oriol Sola-Morales ◽  
Marta Aymerich ◽  
Jose Antonio Ruiz Postigo
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Lymphatic Filariasis ◽  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Clinical Management ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
App Store ◽  
Google Play

BACKGROUND Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) represent a diverse group of 20 communicable diseases that occur in tropical and subtropical areas in 149 countries, affecting over 1 billion people and costing developing economies billions of dollars every year. Within these diseases, those that present lesions on the skin surface are classified as skin NTDs (sNTDs). Mobile health interventions are currently being used worldwide to manage skin diseases and can be a good strategy in the epidemiological and clinical management of sNTDs. OBJECTIVE We aimed to analyze existing evidence about mobile health interventions to control and manage sNTDs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and make recommendations for what should be considered in future interventions. METHODS A systematic review was conducted of the MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases over 10 years up to April 30, 2020. All types of clinical studies were considered. Data were synthesized into evidence tables. Apps were selected through a comprehensive systematic search in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store conducted between March 20 and April 15, 2020. RESULTS From 133 potentially relevant publications, 13 studies met our criteria (9.8%). These analyzed eight different interventions (three SMS text messaging interventions and five app interventions). Six of the 13 (46%) studies were community-based cross-sectional studies intended to epidemiologically map a specific disease, mainly lymphatic filariasis, but also cutaneous leishmaniasis, leprosy, and NTDs, as well as sNTDs in general. Most of the studies were considered to have a high (5/13, 39%) or moderate (4/13, 31%) risk of bias. Fifteen apps were identified in the Google Play Store, of which three were also in the Apple App Store. Most of the apps (11/15, 73%) were targeted at health care professionals, with only four targeted at patients. The apps focused on scabies (3/15, 20%), lymphatic filariasis (3/15, 20%), cutaneous leishmaniasis (1/15, 7%), leprosy (1/15, 7%), yaws and Buruli ulcer (1/15, 7%), tropical diseases including more than one sNTDs (3/15, 20%), and NTDs including sNTDs (2/15, 13%). Only 1 (7%) app focused on the clinical management of sNTDs. CONCLUSIONS All mobile health interventions that were identified face technological, legal, final user, and organizational issues. There was a remarkable heterogeneity among studies, and the majority had methodological limitations that leave considerable room for improvement. Based on existing evidence, eight recommendations have been made for future interventions.

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