A Systematic, Multi-domain Review of Mobile Smartphone Apps for Evidence-Based Stress Management

Coulon, Sandra M.; Monroe, Courtney M.; West, Delia Smith

doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2016.01.026

Cited by 114 publications

(109 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…However, when apps employed these strategies (e.g., meditation), they were similar to those found in the previous review. Our findings regarding apps' scientific merits were comparable to those of Coulon and colleagues [16], but their review yielded more apps with scientific references (33% vs. our 0%).…”

Section: Comparison With Prior Worksupporting

confidence: 87%

“…Compared with Coulon and colleagues' findings [16], the apps reviewed were less likely to include at least one evidence-based stress management strategy. However, when apps employed these strategies (e.g., meditation), they were similar to those found in the previous review.…”

Section: Comparison With Prior Workmentioning

confidence: 66%

“…While all of our criteria were adapted from Coulon and colleagues, we included two of their inclusion criteria as evaluation criteria [16]. See Table 1 for domain definitions and their respective criteria.…”

Section: Content Evaluationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Aside from the Coulon, Monroe, and West [16] review of stress management apps, there have been no systematic reviews that focused on the evaluation of MBSR apps for individuals with lung disease (i.e., cancer, COPD). Therefore, the objective of our review was to identify and evaluate apps available in the Google Play Store (Android devices) and/or the Apple Store (for iOS-based devices) for promoting mindfulness-based strategies specifically among adults with a COPD or lung cancer history.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Drawing on the work of Coulon and colleagues [16], we used one level of inclusion criteria. We used app descriptions to determine whether an app met one of four criteria: (1) available in English, (2) targeted adults with COPD or lung cancer history, (3) was not a duplicate within or across app stores, and (4) was not a service gateway, such as required subscriptions beyond the app.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Mindfulness-Based Symptom and Stress Management Apps for Adults With Chronic Lung Disease: Systematic Search in App Stores (Preprint)

Owens¹,

Beer²,

Reyes³

et al. 2018

Preprint

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Background: Up to 70% of lung cancer survivors are also affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a common, debilitating, comorbid disease characterized by symptoms such as breathlessness and fatigue. These distressing symptoms detract from a survivor's quality of life.Objective: To identify and evaluate evidence-based, commercially available apps for promoting mindfulness-based strategies among adults with a COPD or lung cancer history, an interdisciplinary research team used 19 keyword combinations in the search engines of Google and iOS app stores in May 2017. Evaluations were conducted on apps' (1) content, (2) usability heuristics, (3) grade-level readability, and (4) cultural sensitivity. Results:The search resulted in 768 apps (508 in iOS and 260 in Google stores). Nine apps met the inclusion criteria and received further evaluation. Only one app had below an eighth-grade reading level; the ninth did not have enough text to calculate a readability score. None of the 9 apps met the cultural sensitivity evaluation criteria. Conclusions:This systematic review identified critical design flaws that may affect the ease of using the apps in this study. Few mobile apps promote mindfulness-based strategies among adults with a COPD or lung cancer history, but those that exist, overall, do not meet the latest scientific evidence. Recommendations include more stringent regulation of health-related apps; use of evidence-based frameworks and participatory design processes; following evidencebased usability practices; use of culturally sensitive language and images; and ensuring that content is written in plain language.

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Section: Comparison With Prior Worksupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Comparison With Prior Workmentioning

confidence: 66%

Section: Content Evaluationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Mindfulness-Based Symptom and Stress Management Apps for Adults With Chronic Lung Disease: Systematic Search in App Stores (Preprint)

Owens¹,

Beer²,

Reyes³

et al. 2018

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Smartphone apps for eating disorders: A systematic review of evidence‐based content and application of user‐adjusted analyses

Wasil

Patel

Cho

et al. 2021

Intl J Eating Disorders

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Objective To examine the frequency of evidence‐based treatment elements in popular smartphone apps for eating disorders (EDs), and to characterize the extent to which real‐world users encounter different elements. Method We searched the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for apps offering treatment or support to individuals with EDs. Then, we created a codebook of 47 elements found in evidence‐based treatments for EDs. We examined the presence or absence of each element within each ED app. We also acquired estimates of the monthly active users (MAU) of each app. Results The ED apps (n = 28) included a median of nine elements of empirically supported treatments (mean = 9.46, SD = 6.28). Four apps accounted for 96% of all MAU. MAU‐adjusted analyses revealed that several elements are reaching more users than raw frequency tallies would suggest. For example, assessments were included in 32% of apps, but 84% of users used an app with assessments. Similar trends were found for cognitive restructuring (21% of apps, 56% of MAU), activity scheduling (39%, 57%), and self‐monitoring (14%, 46%). Problem solving, exposure, and relapse prevention strategies, elements that are prominent in face‐to‐face empirically supported treatments, were rarely included in the apps. Discussion Evidence‐based content is commonly included in ED apps, with certain elements reaching more users than others. Additionally, the top four apps are responsible for nearly all active users. We recommend that ED clinicians and researchers familiarize themselves with these apps—those that patients are most likely to encounter.

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The effectiveness of smartphone compassion training on stress among Swedish university students: A pilot randomized trial

et al. 2020

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Objective To investigate the effects of a 6‐week smartphone compassion training intervention on mental health. Method Fifty‐seven Swedish university students (mean age = 25, SD = 5) reporting high levels of stress were randomized to compassion training (n = 23), mindfulness (n = 19), or waitlist (n = 15). Result Multilevel models indicated that both compassion and mindfulness training increased self‐compassion compared to the waitlist, while only compassion significantly reduced stress. Between‐group effect sizes for compassion compared to waitlist were large for both self‐compassion (d = 1.61) and stress (d = 0.94). Compassion and mindfulness did not differ significantly, but effect sizes were in favor of compassion. Secondary outcomes indicated positive effects on emotional awareness, while no effect was found for global psychological distress. Conclusions Our results suggest that compassion training via a smartphone application can improve self‐compassion and reduce stress among university students. Future studies in larger clinical samples are warranted.

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A Systematic, Multi-domain Review of Mobile Smartphone Apps for Evidence-Based Stress Management

Cited by 114 publications

References 44 publications

Mindfulness-Based Symptom and Stress Management Apps for Adults With Chronic Lung Disease: Systematic Search in App Stores (Preprint)

Mindfulness-Based Symptom and Stress Management Apps for Adults With Chronic Lung Disease: Systematic Search in App Stores (Preprint)

Smartphone apps for eating disorders: A systematic review of evidence‐based content and application of user‐adjusted analyses

The effectiveness of smartphone compassion training on stress among Swedish university students: A pilot randomized trial

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