title: Evaluating mobile phone applications for health behaviour change: A systematic review.
abstract: Introduction Increasing smartphones access has allowed for increasing development and use of smart phone applications (apps). Mobile health interventions have previously relied on voice or text-based short message services (SMS), however, the increasing availability and ease of use of apps has allowed for significant growth of smartphone apps that can be used for health behaviour change. This review considers the current body of knowledge relating to the evaluation of apps for health behaviour change. The aim of this review is to investigate approaches to the evaluation of health apps to identify any current best practice approaches. Method A systematic review was conducted. Data were collected and analysed in September 2016. Thirty-eight articles were identified and have been included in this review. Results Articles were published between 2011- 2016, and 36 were reviews or evaluations of apps related to one or more health conditions, the remaining two reported on an investigation of the usability of health apps. Studies investigated apps relating to the following areas: alcohol, asthma, breastfeeding, cancer, depression, diabetes, general health and fitness, headaches, heart disease, HIV, hypertension, iron deficiency/anaemia, low vision, mindfulness, obesity, pain, physical activity, smoking, weight management and women's health. Conclusion In order to harness the potential of mobile health apps for behaviour change and health, we need better ways to assess the quality and effectiveness of apps. This review is unable to suggest a single best practice approach to evaluate mobile health apps. Few measures identified in this review included sufficient information or evaluation, leading to potentially incomplete and inaccurate information for consumers seeking the best app for their situation. This is further complicated by a lack of regulation in health promotion generally.
authors.affiliation: 1 School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Australia.
authors.forename: Fiona H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: McKay
authors.affiliation: 1 School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Australia.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: 2 VicHealth, Australia.
authors.forename: Annemarie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: 2 VicHealth, Australia.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shill
authors.affiliation: 3 Dialogue Consulting, Australia.
authors.forename: Hugh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.affiliation: 3 Dialogue Consulting, Australia.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uccellini
mesh_terms: D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D063731:Mobile Applications / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D000068997:Smartphone / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Smartphone; android; app; apple; behaviour change; health; health promotion