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Evaluating Apps

Edwin D. Boudreaux, PhD. Evaluating Apps. Disclosures. I have consulted and own shares of Polaris Health Directions, a small business that creates e-health interventions. Objectives. To be familiar with important considerations when evaluating apps.

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Evaluating Apps

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  1. Edwin D. Boudreaux, PhD Evaluating Apps

  2. Disclosures • I have consulted and own shares of Polaris Health Directions, a small business that creates e-health interventions.

  3. Objectives • To be familiar with important considerations when evaluating apps. • To learn about rating or evaluation agencies and websites. • To evaluate some specific apps. • Mood management • Tobacco • To be able to start using at least 1 app on Monday when you return to work

  4. Evaluating Apps: Basics • What is the target behavior, disorder, or symptom? • Dumbphone vs. smartphone • Text only for dumbphone • Android vs. iPhone • What features does the app have? • Tracking • Intervention

  5. Evaluating Apps: Usability • Usability • No universal metric but it is really important • Initial usability • Can the individual learn to use it within 5 minutes? • Long-term sustainability • Fatigue and desensitization is a problem • You can often test drive them on the computer

  6. Evaluating Apps: Theory Based? • Not theory based • Theory informed • Reference to a theory but not clear exactly how it’s linked • Theory driven • Clearly linked to a specific theory or theories

  7. Evaluating Apps: Evidence Base? • Not rooted in any evidence • Evidence informed • App itself hasn’t been studied but it is rooted in traditions that have. • Empirically supported • App has been found to be superior to a control condition at modifying target.

  8. Evaluating Apps: Customer Driven • # of downloads • User ratings (’s)

  9. “Rating” Agencies • This aspect is in it’s infancy. • 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

  10. “Rating” Agencies: Happtique • www.happtique.com • http://www.happtique.com/wp-content/uploads/App-Certification-Standards-final.pdf • Operability • Privacy • Security • Content • 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 Source is documented • C1.02 If based on other than recognized source, documentation about how the content was formulated is provided.

  11. Good Vetting Websites • National Center for telehealth and technology • http://t2health.org/products/mobile-apps • iMedicalApps • http://www.imedicalapps.com/filter/?cat-medical-specialty20=3378

  12. Good Vetting Websites • Telemental Health comparisons • http://www.telementalhealthcomparisons.com • Mobihealthnews • http://mobihealthnews.com/research/ • ABCT Technology and Behavior SIG • http://www.techandbehavior.com/wordpress

  13. Mood Management Apps • Commercially available • Search iTunes and Google Play • Depression • Anxiety • Compiled top downloaded apps • Described them based on their features • Chose 5 to complete an in depth eval on • 1 Text • 2 iPhone • 2 Android

  14. Mood Management Apps

  15. Mood Management Apps

  16. 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 • Patient and provider on-line viewing capabilities

  17. Mood247 • https://www.mood247.com/home

  18. Irrational Thinking CBT Test • https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.excelatlife.cbttest&hl=en • 110 item test to map cognitive styles, CBT related articles

  19. Irrational Thinking CBT Test PROS • Intuitive interface • Theory driven (CBT) • Evidence informed • Combined with Cognitive Diary CBT app it’s more powerful CONS • Interface aesthetics are a bit crude • Limited features – “one time app” • Only available in English

  20. Positive Activity Jackpot • https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=t2.paj&hl=en • Suggestions and monitoring for positive activities, including “random”

  21. Positive Activity Jackpot PROS • 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

  22. T2 Mood Tracker • https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/t2-mood-tracker/id428373825?mt=8 • Track and share mood ratings with provider

  23. 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 • Only available in English • Time investment necessary to get full functionality

  24. eCBT Mood • https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ecbt-mood/id324060472?mt=8 • Track and share mood ratings with provider • Psychoeducation

  25. 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

  26. Thank You!

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