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Assessment of the Quality of Mobile Applications (Apps) for Management of Low Back Pain Using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS)

Author

Listed:
  • Adrian Escriche-Escuder

    (Department of Physiotherapy, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
    Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Irene De-Torres

    (Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain
    Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Hospital Regional Universitario, 29010 Málaga, Spain
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Cristina Roldán-Jiménez

    (Department of Physiotherapy, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
    Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain)

  • Jaime Martín-Martín

    (Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain
    Department of Human Anatomy, Legal Medicine and History of Science, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain)

  • Antonio Muro-Culebras

    (Department of Physiotherapy, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
    Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain)

  • Manuel González-Sánchez

    (Department of Physiotherapy, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
    Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain)

  • Maria Ruiz-Muñoz

    (Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain
    Department of Nursing and Podiatry, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain)

  • Fermín Mayoral-Cleries

    (Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain
    Mental Health Unit, Regional Universitary Hospital of Malaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain)

  • Attila Biró

    (ITWare, 1117 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Wen Tang

    (Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth BH12 5BB, UK)

  • Borjanka Nikolova

    (Arthaus, Production Trade and Service Company, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia)

  • Alfredo Salvatore

    (Sensor ID Snc, 86021 Boiano, Italy)

  • Antonio I Cuesta-Vargas

    (Department of Physiotherapy, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
    Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain
    Faculty of Health Science, School of Clinical Science, Queensland University Technology, Brisbane 4000, Australia)

Abstract

Digital health interventions may improve different behaviours. However, the rapid proliferation of technological solutions often does not allow for a correct assessment of the quality of the tools. This study aims to review and assess the quality of the available mobile applications (apps) related to interventions for low back pain. Two reviewers search the official stores of Android (Play Store) and iOS (App Store) for localisation in Spain and the United Kingdom, in September 2019, searching for apps related to interventions for low back pain. Seventeen apps finally are included. The quality of the apps is measured using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). The scores of each section and the final score of the apps are retrieved and the mean and standard deviation obtained. The average quality ranges between 2.83 and 4.57 (mean 3.82) on a scale from 1 (inadequate) to 5 (excellent). The best scores are found in functionality (4.7), followed by aesthetic content (mean 4.1). Information (2.93) and engagement (3.58) are the worst rated items. Apps generally have good overall quality, especially in terms of functionality and aesthetics. Engagement and information should be improved in most of the apps. Moreover, scientific evidence is necessary to support the use of applied health tools.

Suggested Citation

  • Adrian Escriche-Escuder & Irene De-Torres & Cristina Roldán-Jiménez & Jaime Martín-Martín & Antonio Muro-Culebras & Manuel González-Sánchez & Maria Ruiz-Muñoz & Fermín Mayoral-Cleries & Attila Biró & , 2020. "Assessment of the Quality of Mobile Applications (Apps) for Management of Low Back Pain Using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:24:p:9209-:d:459362
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Kamaldeep Gupta & Sharmistha Roy & Ayman Altameem & Raghvendra Kumar & Abdul Khader Jilani Saudagar & Ramesh Chandra Poonia, 2022. "Usability Evaluation and Classification of mHealth Applications for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Using MARS and ID3 Algorithm," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-28, June.

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