scholarly journals Evaluation of Mobile Apps Targeted at Patients With Spondyloarthritis for Disease Monitoring: Systematic App Search

10.2196/14753 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. e14753
Author(s):  
Yu Heng Kwan ◽  
Wei Jie Ong ◽  
Mengfei Xiong ◽  
Ying Ying Leung ◽  
Jie Kie Phang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psoriatic Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Activity Monitoring ◽  
Activity Measurement ◽  
Measurement Instruments ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Disease Activity Measurement

Background There are many apps developed for patients with spondyloarthritis in the market, but their purpose and quality are not objectively evaluated. Objective The objective of this study was to identify and evaluate existing publicly available, high-quality apps that use validated measurement instruments for monitoring spondyloarthritis disease activity. Methods We conducted a review of apps available on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store based on a combination of keywords and inclusion and exclusion criteria. Validated disease activity measurement instruments were identified. Data regarding app characteristics, including the presence of validated disease activity measurement, were extracted. The Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) was used to review the apps for user experience. Results A total of 1253 apps were identified in the app stores, and 5 apps met the criteria and were further analyzed. Moreover, 2 apps (MySpA and Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis App) contained some of the validated disease activity monitoring instruments for specific spondyloarthritis subtypes. These 2 apps were also rated good on the MARS (with total mean scores ≥4 out of 5), whereas the other apps scored poorly in comparison. Conclusions There are 2 high-quality spondyloarthritis disease activity monitoring apps publicly available, but they only target 2 spondyloarthritis subtypes—ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. There is a lack of high-quality apps that can measure disease activity for other spondyloarthritis subtypes, and no app that consolidates all validated disease activity instruments across subtypes was available.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Mobile Apps Targeted at Patients With Spondyloarthritis for Disease Monitoring: Systematic App Search (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Heng Kwan ◽  
Wei Jie Ong ◽  
Mengfei Xiong ◽  
Ying Ying Leung ◽  
Jie Kie Phang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psoriatic Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Activity Monitoring ◽  
Activity Measurement ◽  
Measurement Instruments ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Disease Activity Measurement

BACKGROUND There are many apps developed for patients with spondyloarthritis in the market, but their purpose and quality are not objectively evaluated. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to identify and evaluate existing publicly available, high-quality apps that use validated measurement instruments for monitoring spondyloarthritis disease activity. METHODS We conducted a review of apps available on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store based on a combination of keywords and inclusion and exclusion criteria. Validated disease activity measurement instruments were identified. Data regarding app characteristics, including the presence of validated disease activity measurement, were extracted. The Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) was used to review the apps for user experience. RESULTS A total of 1253 apps were identified in the app stores, and 5 apps met the criteria and were further analyzed. Moreover, 2 apps (MySpA and Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis App) contained some of the validated disease activity monitoring instruments for specific spondyloarthritis subtypes. These 2 apps were also rated good on the MARS (with total mean scores ≥4 out of 5), whereas the other apps scored poorly in comparison. CONCLUSIONS There are 2 high-quality spondyloarthritis disease activity monitoring apps publicly available, but they only target 2 spondyloarthritis subtypes—ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. There is a lack of high-quality apps that can measure disease activity for other spondyloarthritis subtypes, and no app that consolidates all validated disease activity instruments across subtypes was available.

scholarly journals Residual disease activity in psoriatic arthritis: discordance between the rheumatologist’s opinion and minimal disease activity measurement

Rheumatology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonieke J J van Mens ◽  
Maureen C Turina ◽  
Marleen G H van de Sande ◽  
Mike T Nurmohamed ◽  
Arno W R van Kuijk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psoriatic Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Residual Disease ◽  
Activity Measurement ◽  
Minimal Disease Activity ◽  
Minimal Disease ◽  
Disease Activity Measurement

scholarly journals Measuring the Quality of Clinical Skills Mobile Apps for Student Learning: Systematic Search, Analysis, and Comparison of Two Measurement Scales (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tehmina Gladman ◽  
Grace Tylee ◽  
Steve Gallagher ◽  
Jonathan Mair ◽  
Rebecca Grainger
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Systematic Search ◽  
Measurement Scales ◽  
High Quality

BACKGROUND Mobile apps are widely used in health professions, which increases the need for simple methods to determine the quality of apps. In particular, teachers need the ability to curate high-quality mobile apps for student learning. OBJECTIVE This study aims to systematically search for and evaluate the quality of clinical skills mobile apps as learning tools. The quality of apps meeting the specified criteria was evaluated using two measures—the widely used Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS), which measures general app quality, and the Mobile App Rubric for Learning (MARuL), a recently developed instrument that measures the value of apps for student learning—to assess whether MARuL is more effective than MARS in identifying high-quality apps for learning. METHODS Two mobile app stores were systematically searched using clinical skills terms commonly found in medical education and apps meeting the criteria identified using an approach based on PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A total of 9 apps were identified during the screening process. The apps were rated independently by 2 reviewers using MARS and MARuL. RESULTS The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for the 2 raters using MARS and MARuL were the same (MARS ICC [two-way]=0.68; <i>P</i>&lt;.001 and MARuL ICC [two-way]=0.68; <i>P</i>&lt;.001). Of the 9 apps, Geeky Medics-OSCE revision (MARS Android=3.74; MARS iOS=3.68; MARuL Android=75; and MARuL iOS=73) and OSCE PASS: Medical Revision (MARS Android=3.79; MARS iOS=3.71; MARuL Android=69; and MARuL iOS=73) scored highly on both measures of app quality and for both Android and iOS. Both measures also showed agreement for the lowest rated app, Patient Education Institute (MARS Android=2.21; MARS iOS=2.11; MARuL Android=18; and MARuL iOS=21.5), which had the lowest scores in all categories except information (MARS) and professional (MARuL) in both operating systems. MARS and MARuL were both able to differentiate between the highest and lowest quality apps; however, MARuL was better able to differentiate apps based on teaching and learning quality. CONCLUSIONS This systematic search and rating of clinical skills apps for learning found that the quality of apps was highly variable. However, 2 apps—Geeky Medics-OSCE revision and OSCE PASS: Medical Revision—rated highly for both versions and with both quality measures. MARS and MARuL showed similar abilities to differentiate the quality of the 9 apps. However, MARuL’s incorporation of teaching and learning elements as part of a multidimensional measure of quality may make it more appropriate for use with apps focused on teaching and learning, whereas MARS’s more general rating of quality may be more appropriate for health apps targeting a general health audience. Ratings of the 9 apps by both measures also highlighted the variable quality of clinical skills mobile apps for learning. CLINICALTRIAL

scholarly journals Assessing the Quality of skin Healthcare Mobile Apps: a systematic review and scoring using the MARS

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
H Woo ◽  
G h Kim ◽  
Y w Kim
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scale ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Quality Score ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Subjective Quality ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Simple Task ◽  
Content Quality ◽  
Assessment Scores ◽  
Static Correlation

Abstract Background With the number of skin healthcare-related apps users increasing, the selection of high-quality apps is not a simple task. The aim of this study was to (1)describe the content of available skin healthcare apps, (2)evaluate their objective quality regarding engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information and subjective quality. Methods The App Store and Google Play store were systematically searched to identify skin healthcare mobile apps for general population use. Eligible apps were downloaded and independently evaluated for quality by 4 reviewers using the Mobile App Rating Scale(MARS). The MARS is the only currently available tool that provides a comprehensive, multidimensional evaluation of app quality. MARS assesses the dimensions of engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information, and subjective quality on 5-point scales. In addition, the correlation between MARS score and user score was analyzed. Results The overall 37 apps obtained a mean quality score of 2.77(SD.62). 'Trove skin(Android: 4.13)' received the highest score, while 'Complete Beauty Guides(Android: 1.8)' received the lowest score. User scores were found to have no significant correlation between overall quality scores through MARS and content scores(r= .240, p= .153)(r= .290, p= .081), the overall quality score through MARS and the Content Score were significant static correlation(r= .487, p= .002). Conclusions As the use, and introduction, of mobile apps continue to grow, it will become increasingly important for consumers to adopt high-quality apps. Understanding the effectiveness of high-quality apps compared with low-quality apps can make it easier and more accurate for consumers decisions about using related to skin healthcare apps. Furthermore, qualities of apps that ranked higher could be used to improve existing apps or help with the development of new ones. Key messages Consumers refer to the User Score when selecting skin healthcare-related apps. However, User Score was not correlated with MARS content quality assessment scores evaluated by experts. This study is a significant help that enables consumers to select good-quality skin healthcare apps by high-quality content information through MARS.

scholarly journals Measuring the Quality of Clinical Skills Mobile Apps for Student Learning: Systematic Search, Analysis, and Comparison of Two Measurement Scales

10.2196/25377 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. e25377
Author(s):  
Tehmina Gladman ◽  
Grace Tylee ◽  
Steve Gallagher ◽  
Jonathan Mair ◽  
Rebecca Grainger
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Systematic Search ◽  
Measurement Scales ◽  
High Quality

Background Mobile apps are widely used in health professions, which increases the need for simple methods to determine the quality of apps. In particular, teachers need the ability to curate high-quality mobile apps for student learning. Objective This study aims to systematically search for and evaluate the quality of clinical skills mobile apps as learning tools. The quality of apps meeting the specified criteria was evaluated using two measures—the widely used Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS), which measures general app quality, and the Mobile App Rubric for Learning (MARuL), a recently developed instrument that measures the value of apps for student learning—to assess whether MARuL is more effective than MARS in identifying high-quality apps for learning. Methods Two mobile app stores were systematically searched using clinical skills terms commonly found in medical education and apps meeting the criteria identified using an approach based on PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A total of 9 apps were identified during the screening process. The apps were rated independently by 2 reviewers using MARS and MARuL. Results The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for the 2 raters using MARS and MARuL were the same (MARS ICC [two-way]=0.68; P<.001 and MARuL ICC [two-way]=0.68; P<.001). Of the 9 apps, Geeky Medics-OSCE revision (MARS Android=3.74; MARS iOS=3.68; MARuL Android=75; and MARuL iOS=73) and OSCE PASS: Medical Revision (MARS Android=3.79; MARS iOS=3.71; MARuL Android=69; and MARuL iOS=73) scored highly on both measures of app quality and for both Android and iOS. Both measures also showed agreement for the lowest rated app, Patient Education Institute (MARS Android=2.21; MARS iOS=2.11; MARuL Android=18; and MARuL iOS=21.5), which had the lowest scores in all categories except information (MARS) and professional (MARuL) in both operating systems. MARS and MARuL were both able to differentiate between the highest and lowest quality apps; however, MARuL was better able to differentiate apps based on teaching and learning quality. Conclusions This systematic search and rating of clinical skills apps for learning found that the quality of apps was highly variable. However, 2 apps—Geeky Medics-OSCE revision and OSCE PASS: Medical Revision—rated highly for both versions and with both quality measures. MARS and MARuL showed similar abilities to differentiate the quality of the 9 apps. However, MARuL’s incorporation of teaching and learning elements as part of a multidimensional measure of quality may make it more appropriate for use with apps focused on teaching and learning, whereas MARS’s more general rating of quality may be more appropriate for health apps targeting a general health audience. Ratings of the 9 apps by both measures also highlighted the variable quality of clinical skills mobile apps for learning.

scholarly journals Smartphone Apps Targeting Physical Activity in People With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Systematic Quality Appraisal and Content Analysis

10.2196/18495 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. e18495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay M Bearne ◽  
Mandeep Sekhon ◽  
Rebecca Grainger ◽  
Anthony La ◽  
Mehrdad Shamali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Information Support ◽  
World Health ◽  
Smartphone Apps ◽  
High Quality ◽  
App Store ◽  
Google Play

Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disabling, inflammatory joint condition affecting 0.5%-1% of the global population. Physical activity (PA) and exercise are recommended for people with RA, but uptake and adherence tend to be low. Smartphone apps could assist people with RA to achieve PA recommendations. However, it is not known whether high quality, evidence-informed PA apps that include behavior change techniques (BCTs) previously identified as effective for PA adherence are available for people with RA. Objective This study aims to systematically identify apps that include goals to facilitate PA for adults with RA and assess app quality and content for the inclusion of relevant BCTs against recommendations for cardiorespiratory, resistance, flexibility, and neuromotor PA and exercise. Methods A systematic search of the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in the United Kingdom was conducted to identify English language apps that promote PA for adults with RA. Two researchers independently assessed app quality (mobile app rating scale [MARS]; range 0-5) and content (BCT Taxonomy version 1, World Health Organization, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the European League against Rheumatism recommendations for PA). The completeness of reporting of PA prescription was evaluated using a modified version of the Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT; range 0-14). Results A total of 14,047 apps were identified. Following deduplication, 2737 apps were screened for eligibility; 6 apps were downloaded (2 on the Apple App Store and 4 on the Google Play Store), yielding 4 unique apps. App quality varied (MARS score 2.25-4.17). Only 1 app was congruent with all aspects of the PA recommendations. All apps completely or partially recommended flexibility and resistance exercises, 3 apps completely or partially advised some form of neuromotor exercise, but only 2 offered full or partial guidance on cardiorespiratory exercise. Completeness of exercise reporting was mixed (CERT scores 7-14 points) and 3-7 BCTs were identified. Two BCTs were common to all apps (information about health consequences and instruction on how to perform behavior). Higher quality apps included a greater number of BCTs and were more closely aligned to PA guidance. No published trials evaluating the effect of the included apps were identified. Conclusions This review identifies 4 PA apps of mixed quality and content for use by people with RA. Higher quality apps were more closely aligned to PA guidance and included a greater number of BCTs. One high-quality app (Rheumatoid Arthritis Information Support and Education) included 7 BCTs and was fully aligned with PA and exercise guidance. The effect of apps on PA adherence should be established before implementation.

scholarly journals Quality of Mobile Apps for Care Partners of People with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias: Mobile App Rating Scale Evaluation (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole E Werner ◽  
Janetta C Brown ◽  
Priya Loganathar ◽  
Richard J Holden
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scale ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Future Research ◽  
App Development ◽  
Care Partners ◽  
Acceptable Quality ◽  
The Us ◽  
Google Play

BACKGROUND The over 11 million care partners in the US who provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) cite persistent and pervasive unmet needs related to all aspects of their caregiving role. The proliferation of mobile applications (apps) for care partners has potential to meet the care partners’ needs, but the quality of apps is unknown. OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to 1) evaluate the quality of publicly available apps for care partners of people living with ADRD and 2) identify design features of low- and high-quality apps to guide future research and app development. METHODS We searched the US Apple and Google Play app stores with the criteria that the app needed to be 1) available in US Google play or Apple app stores, 2) directly accessible to users “out of the box”, 3) primarily intended for use by an informal (family, friend) caregiver or caregivers of a person with dementia. The included apps were then evaluated using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS), which includes descriptive app classification and rating using 23 items across five dimensions: engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information, and subjective quality. Next, we computed descriptive statistics for each rating. To identify recommendations for future research and app development, we categorized rater comments on the score driving factors for each item and what the app could have done to improve the score for that item. RESULTS We evaluated 17 apps (41% iOS only, 12% Android only, 47% both iOS and Android). We found that on average, the apps are of minimally acceptable quality. Although we identified apps above and below minimally acceptable quality, many apps had broken features and were rated as below acceptable for engagement and information. CONCLUSIONS Minimally acceptable quality is likely insufficient to meet care partner needs. Future research should establish minimum quality standards across dimensions for mobile apps for care partners. The design features of high-quality apps we identified in this research can provide the foundation for benchmarking those standards.

Quality of a Supporting Mobile App for Rheumatic Patients: Assessment Using the User Version of the Mobile Application Scale (uMARS) and Associated Patient Characteristics (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonia Lambrecht ◽  
Nicolas Vuillerme ◽  
Christina Raab ◽  
David Simon ◽  
Eva-Maria Messner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Psoriatic Arthritis ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
End Users ◽  
Quality Score ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Subjective Quality ◽  
Ehealth Literacy ◽  
Rheumatic Patients

BACKGROUND Mobile applications promise to improve current health care. A growing number app quality studies exist to help patients and physicians choose appropriate, helpful and useful applications. However, current mobile app quality ratings are mostly physician-based. They exclude patients although as end-users, patients are able to provide the most relevant feedback. In a recent physician-based review of rheumatic apps, Rheuma Auszeit received the best overall rating (4.2/5), however this app has never been systematically evaluated by the intended end-users, rheumatic patients. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was (1) to assess the quality of Rheuma Auszeit by rheumatic patients and (2) to evaluate the association between uMARS (User Version of the Mobile App Rating Scale) scores and patients’ characteristics. METHODS Consecutive patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and spondyloarthritis were seen at the rheumatology clinic at university hospital Erlangen, Germany. They were asked to evaluate the app Rheuma Auszeit using the uMARS and to complete a paper-based survey evaluating the individual preferences, attitudes and ehealth literacy. uMARS assesses the dimensions of engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information, and subjective quality on 5-point scales. The association between uMARS scores and patients’ characteristics was further explored. RESULTS Between December 2018 and January 2019, a total of 126 patients evaluated Rheuma Auszeit using uMARS and filled out the paper-based survey. The median uMARS score was 3.9, IQR 0.7. Functionality was the domain with the highest rating (median 4.8, IQR 0.8), followed by aesthetics (median 4.0, IQR 0.7), information (median 3.5, IQR 0.8), and engagement (median 3.2, IQR 1.0). Subjective quality was average (median 3.0, IQR 1.0). The lowest scoring individual item was customization with a median of 2.5/5. Lower functionality scores were reported among older female rheumatic patients (P<.004). Older male rheumatic patients reported a higher subjective quality score (P<.024). Perceived disease activity and disease duration did not significantly correlate with any uMARS subdomain scores. eHealth literacy significantly correlated with functionality uMARS subdomain ratings (Rho=0.18; P<.042). Preferred time of app usage significantly correlated with engagement (Rho=0.20; P<.024), functionality (Rho=0.19; P<.029), total uMARS score (Rho=0.21; P<.017) and subjective quality score (Rho=0.21; P<.017). The vast majority of rheumatic patients would consider recommending Rheuma Auszeit to other patients (117/126; 92.9%). CONCLUSIONS Rheuma Auszeit was well accepted by patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondyloarthritis. Lacking customization could lead to low app compliance and should be improved. The study highlights the potential and feasibility of therapeutic complementary digital solutions in rheumatology.

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