Mobile Application Rating Scale

Stoyanov, Stoyan; Hides, Leanne; Kavanagh, David; Zelenko, Оksana; Tjondronegoro, Dian; Mani, Madhavan

doi:10.1037/t84405-000

Cited by 9 publications

(13 citation statements)

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“…These scores were then converted to a score out of five using a 5-point Likert-type scale, thus creating a total or overall app quality score out of 5 A score out of 5 is established so that it can be easily interpreted like the overall star ratings found in app descriptions. This was done because there is a high correlation between the MARS quality total score and its overall star rating therefore indicating that the overall MARS quality scores can capture the perceived overall quality described by the star rating (31). Another reason this process was done is because the MARS score and its subscale scores consist of high interrater reliability and internal consistency (31).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, a 2020 study found that the MARS tool has good to excellent reliability and objectivity (32). The MARS has a high level of interrater reliability that is ensured by using multiple raters who have been either trained or developed a shared understanding of the target group of apps (31). In this study, two reviewers were trained on how to use the MARS and assess apps.…”

Section: Mars Quality Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The MARS is a validated tool used to evaluate the quality of mobile health applications (31). It is a simple and reliable tool that not only classifies and assesses the quality of mobile health apps but also can be used to provide evidence to app developers on creating new higher quality apps (31). Furthermore, a 2020 study found that the MARS tool has good to excellent reliability and objectivity (32).…”

Section: Mars Quality Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This approach was done rather than averaging the scores of both reviewers to maintain a high level of interrater reliability. Objectivity was ensured by excluding the subjective quality subscale from the overall mean app quality score (31). Due to its high interrater reliability and objectivity along with its simple and multidimensional uses, the MARS tool was used to assess the quality of mobile apps in this study.…”

Section: Mars Quality Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Reviewers will assign each item a score from this scale and then later assign a consensus score. These scores are then averaged so that each app can be ranked and compared in terms of app quality (31).…”

Section: Mars Quality Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Environmental scan of mobile apps for promoting sexual and reproductive health of adolescents in low- and middle-income countries

Patel

Louie-Poon

Kauser

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

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BackgroundAdolescence is a period of emotional, mental, and physical change. To increase health seeking behaviors, reduce risky sexual behavior, and improve sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge, adolescents require support and access to SRH services. Providing evidence-informed SRH knowledge to adolescents in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) can be a challenge as they face unique barriers such as lack of confidentiality, fear of refusal, and stigma from cultural norms. Increasing availability of mobile apps necessitates a comprehensive evaluation of the quality and classification of these SRH mobile applications so that accurate and evidence-based information is reaching its users. Failure to provide SRH services can have damaging effects throughout their development.ObjectiveProvide an overview of current adolescent SRH (ASRH) mobile applications targeting adolescents in LMICs by evaluating their quality and classifying their characteristics.Methods21 search terms related to ASRH mobile apps was developed. These terms were searched in the Apple IOS store and Google Play stores. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to screen these apps. Resulting apps were assessed using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) tool. Data extracted was used to rank order each app and identify any gaps in quality.ResultsSearch strategy yielded 2,165 mobile apps. Of these, only 8 were assessed using the MARS tool. Functionality subdomain scored highest at 4.6, while Information scored lowest at 2.5. None of the assessed apps contained information on the MARS items: Evidence base and Goals. Too Shy to Ask had the highest individual app mean score of 4.1, while e-SRHR scored lowest at 2.3.ConclusionsThe goal of this study is to classify and rate the quality of mobile apps designed to promote ASRH behaviors and knowledge in LMICs. Numerous apps were reviewed and all of them failed to provide evidence-based and goal oriented SRH information. Strengths include ease of use, navigation, and gestural designs. Weaknesses include evidence base, goals, willingness to pay, customization, and interactivity. These findings can be potentially used to guide future app development and educate decision makers responsible for policy changes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Mars Quality Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Mars Quality Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Mars Quality Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Mars Quality Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Environmental scan of mobile apps for promoting sexual and reproductive health of adolescents in low- and middle-income countries

Patel

Louie-Poon

Kauser

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Pensando en la inclusión: diseñando un catálogo de aplicaciones para personas con discapacidad visual

Larco

Muñoz

2022

ecociencia

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Con el uso de las TIC en la educación, varias instituciones han desarrollado su interés en utilizar el Internet para mejorar sus servicios. Sin embargo, varios de estos servicios se ofrecen como aplicaciones las cuales, la mayor parte del tiempo, resultan difíciles de encontrar y descargarlas, no se encuentran correctamente indexadas y categorizadas; más aún, en el Ecuador no existen catálogos que ofrezcan estas aplicaciones. El objetivo de este proyecto es desarrollar un catálogo digital de software para personas con discapacidad visual que sea accesible, amigable con el usuario, y permita acercar todas estas aplicaciones a los usuarios. Se realizó una investigación preliminar para identificar tanto aplicaciones web y móviles, así como catálogos que estén relacionados con la discapacidad visual. Se analizaron tanto catálogos web como móvil para determinar las características y necesidades con las que debía cumplir el catálogo digital de software. Posteriormente, se evaluaron las aplicaciones web y móvil utilizando MARS. Durante el desarrollo de cada prototipo se utilizaron los cinco planos de UX. Para lograr obtener una aplicación totalmente funcional, el “Instituto Mariana de Jesús” colaboró durante el desarrollo de la aplicación brindando comentarios y retroalimentación sumamente importante, así como, ayudar a evaluar cada uno de los prototipos. El catálogo digital de software cumple con las necesidades de las personas con discapacidad visual y apoya su desarrollo tanto educativo como de su día a día.

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Selective Prevention of Depression in Workers Using a Smartphone App: Randomized Controlled Trial

Deady¹,

Collins²,

Lavender³

et al. 2023

J Med Internet Res

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Background There is increasing evidence that depression can be prevented; however, universal approaches have had limited success. Appropriate targeting of interventions to at-risk populations has been shown to have potential, but how to selectively determine at-risk individuals remains unclear. Workplace stress is a risk factor for depression and a target for intervention, but few interventions exist to prevent depression among workers at risk due to heightened stress. Objective This trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a smartphone-based intervention in reducing the onset of depression and improving related outcomes in workers experiencing at least moderate levels of stress. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted with participants who were currently employed and reported no clinically significant depression and at least moderate stress. The intervention group (n=1053) were assigned Anchored, a 30-day self-directed smartphone app-based cognitive behavioral- and mindfulness-based intervention. The attention-control group (n=1031) were assigned a psychoeducation website. Assessment was performed via web-based self-report questionnaires at baseline and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month postbaseline time points. The primary outcome was new depression caseness aggregated over the follow-up period. The secondary outcomes included depressive and anxiety symptoms, stress, well-being, resilience, work performance, work-related burnout, and quality of life. Analyses were conducted within an intention-to-treat framework using mixed modeling. Results There was no significant between-group difference in new depression caseness (z score=0.69; P=.49); however, those in the Anchored arm had significantly greater depressive symptom reduction at 1 month (Cohen d=0.02; P=.049) and 6 months (Cohen d=0.08; P=.03). Anchored participants also showed significantly greater reduction in anxiety symptoms at 1 month (Cohen d=0.07; P=.04) and increased work performance at 1 month (Cohen d=0.07; P=.008) and 6 months (Cohen d=0.13; P=.01), compared with controls. Notably, for Anchored participants completing at least two-thirds of the intervention, there was a significantly lower rate of depression onset (1.1%, 95% CI 0.0%-3.7%) compared with controls (9.0%, 95% CI 6.8%-12.3%) at 1 month (z score=4.50; P<.001). Significant small to medium effect sizes for most secondary outcomes were seen in the highly engaged Anchored users compared with controls, with effects maintained at the 6-month follow-up for depressive symptoms, well-being, stress, and quality of life. Conclusions Anchored was associated with a small comparative reduction in depressive symptoms compared with controls, although selective prevention of case-level depression was not observed in the intention-to-treat analysis. When users adequately engaged with the app, significant findings pertaining to depression prevention, overall symptom reduction, and functional improvement were found, compared with controls. There is a need for a greater focus on engagement techniques in future research. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12620000178943; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=378592

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Mobile Application Rating Scale

Cited by 9 publications

References 0 publications

Environmental scan of mobile apps for promoting sexual and reproductive health of adolescents in low- and middle-income countries

Environmental scan of mobile apps for promoting sexual and reproductive health of adolescents in low- and middle-income countries

Pensando en la inclusión: diseñando un catálogo de aplicaciones para personas con discapacidad visual

Selective Prevention of Depression in Workers Using a Smartphone App: Randomized Controlled Trial

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