evaluating apps
DESCRIPTION
Edwin D. Boudreaux, PhD. Evaluating Apps. Disclosures. I have consulted for, and own shares of, Polaris Health Directions, a small business that creates e-health interventions . No Polaris programs, or programs sponsored by Polaris’ competitors, are reviewed in this presentation. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Evaluating AppsEdwin D. Boudreaux, PhD
Disclosures
I have consulted for, and own shares of, Polaris Health Directions, a small business that creates e-health interventions.
No Polaris programs, or programs sponsored by Polaris’ competitors, are reviewed in this presentation.
Objectives To be familiar with important considerations
when evaluating apps.
To learn about rating or evaluation agencies and websites that help to review apps that are publically available.
To evaluate some specific apps related to mood management
To be able to start using at least 1 app on Monday when you return to work
Evaluating Apps: Basics
What is the target behavior, disorder, or symptom?
Standard vs. smartphone Text only for standard Android vs. iPhone
What features does the app have? Information/education Tracking/Monitoring Intervention
Evaluating Apps: Dimensions Usability?
Initial, sustained Test drive (on computer, download)
Customer driven # of downloads User ratings (’s)
Theory based? Evidence based?
Evidence informed: content rooted in evidence Empirically supported: high quality clinical trial(s)
“Rating Clearinghouses”
Health On Net – Internet www.hon.ch/ Consumer Reports
http://news.consumerreports.org/health/2009/10/there-really-is-an-app-for-that-health-interestor-will-be.html
UK National Health Service http://apps.nhs.uk/
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Weight Management App Reviews http://www.eatright.org/Media/content.aspx?id
=6442467041
“Rating” Agencies: Happtique www.happtique.com
http://www.happtique.com/docs/HACP_Certification_Standards.pdf
Ratings done by: http://www.intertek.com/mobile/
Operability
Privacy
Security
Content
“Rating” Agencies: HapptiqueContent
C1. App is based on one or more credible information sources such as an accepted protocol, published guidelines, evidence-based practice, peer-reviewed journal, etc.▪ C1.01 If recognized source, source is
documented▪ C1.02 If other than recognized source,
documentation about how the content was formulated is provided, including relevancy and reliability
Vetting Websites
National Center for telehealth and technology http://t2health.org/products/mobile-apps
iMedicalApps http://www.imedicalapps.com/filter/?cat-
medical-specialty20=3378
Vetting Websites
Telemental Health Comparisons http://www.telementalhealthcomparisons
.com Mobihealthnews
http://mobihealthnews.com/research/ http://mobihealthnews.com/25872/21-ty
pes-of-health-apps-the-fda-could-regulate-but-wont/
ABCT Technology and Behavior SIG http://www.techandbehavior.com
Vetting Websites
Mhealth Evidence http://www.mhealthevidence.org/
WHO’s mTERG and K4Health http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/to
pics/mhealth/mterg/en/index.html
http://www.k4health.org/about-k4health
Mood Management Apps Review Commercially available Search iTunes and Google Play
Depression Anxiety
Compiled top downloaded apps Chose 5 to complete an in depth eval
1 Text-based (word of mouth) 2 iPhone 2 Android
Mood247 https://www.mood247.com
Practical mood monitoring text program Asks for mood rating 1 time a day (0 – 10) Allows journaling Must go on-line to see graph Can share with provider
Patient and provider on-line viewing capabilities
Uses secure http (encrypted), encrypted storage of PHI, only access by Trusted Circle, not shared with commercial vendors
Mood Management AppsApp Name OS
(Android, iPhone)
# of Raters
Rating1 Price Target Symptoms Strategies
Dep Anx Panic PTSD Relaxation Mindfulness &
Meditation
Mood Monitor
Journaling Thought Monitoring
and Challenge
Exposure
Pleasant Activity
Hypnosis
Depression CBT Self-
Help Guide
Andriod 13 4.? Free X X X X
Worry Box—Anxiety Self-
Help
Andriod 58 4.? Free X X X X
T2 Mood Tracker
Both718 4.3
Free X X X X
Positive Activity Jackpot
Android19 3.9 Free X X
eCBT Mood
iPhone92 3 .99 X X X X
T2 Mood Tracker https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/t2-mood-tracker/i
d428373825?mt=8
Track and share mood ratings with provider
Can log notes
T2 Mood Tracker
T2 Mood Tracker
T2 Mood Tracker
PROS Intuitive interface
Theory driven (CBT)
Evidence informed
Many features to allow customization of ratings, prompts, access of support
Generates pdf or CSV reports to print or email to provider
CONS
Predominately centered on rating and journaling
Difficult to share graphs (multiple steps of saving, then emailing as attachment)
Only available in English
Time investment necessary to get full functionality
Depression CBT Self-Help Guide http://www.amazon.com/Excel-At-Life-Depression-Self-Help/dp/B007ILDP42/ref=sr_1_
1?s=mobile-apps&ie=UTF8&qid=1384195007&sr=1-1&keywords=depression AKA, Cognitive Diary CBT Self-help Depression scale (PHQ-9), Diary, CBT related
articles, Cognitive Restructuring Similar app for Worry called Worry Box—Anxiety
Self-help: http://www.amazon.com/Excel-At-Life-Box--Anxiety-Self-Help/dp/B0062EV5SO/ref=sr_1_16?s=mobile-apps&ie=UTF8&qid=1384198753&sr=1-16&keywords=depression
Depression CBT Self-Help Guide
Depression CBT Self-Help Guide
PROS Intuitive interface
Theory driven (CBT)
Evidence informed
Links to AchieveMint.com, points/rewards system
CONS Interface aesthetics are a
bit crude
Navigation options inconsistent based on the screen you are on
Only available in English
Content heavy
No simple mood tracking option
Digression:AcheiveMint.com www.achievemint.com Rewards use of health-related apps
with cash
Cognitive Styles CBT Test https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co
m.excelatlife.cbttest&hl=en AKA, Irrational Thinking CBT Test
110 item test to map cognitive styles, CBT related articles
Cognitive Styles CBT Test
Cognitive Styles CBT Test
PROS Intuitive interface
Theory driven (CBT)
Evidence informed
Links to Cognitive Diary CBT app
CONS Interface
aesthetics are a bit crude
Limited features – “one time app”
Only available in English
eCBT Mood https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ecbt-mood/id324
060472?mt=8
Track and share mood ratings with provider Psychoeducation
eCBT Mood
PROS Intuitive interface
Theory driven (CBT)
Evidence informed
Ratings can be shared with provider, others
Helps to ID and challenge automatic thoughts
CONS
Only available in English
Time investment necessary to get full functionality
Positive Activity Jackpot https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=t2.
paj&hl=en Suggestions and monitoring for positive
activities, including “random”
Positive Activity JackpotPROS
Intuitive interface
Complex but easy-to-follow
Theory driven (BT)
Evidence informed (Lewinsohn, Linehan both referenced)
Activities can be done alone, in pairs, or groups (~400 activities)
Can generate activities based on proximity (GPS)
Interconnectity with Facebook and Twitter
CONS
Only available in English
Could potentially exhaust realistic options
Time investment necessary to get full functionality
Conclusion
Text based app for standard phone: mood247
Smartphone app for Android Easy to use: T2 Moodtracker More sophisticated: Depression CBT Self-
help Guide, Worry Box Smartphone app for iPhone
Easy to use: T2 Moodtracker More sophisticated: eCBT Mood
Thank you.