Mobile Apps for Older Adults: Systematic Search and Evaluation Within Online Stores

Abstract

Background Through the increasingly aging population, the health care system is confronted with various challenges such as expanding health care costs. To manage these challenges, mobile apps may represent a cost-effective and low-threshold approach to support older adults. Objective This systematic review aimed to evaluate the quality, characteristics, as well as privacy and security measures of mobile apps for older adults in the European commercial app stores. Methods In the European Google Play and App Store, a web crawler systematically searched for mobile apps for older adults. The identified mobile apps were evaluated by two independent reviewers using the German version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale. A correlation between the user star rating and overall rating was calculated. An exploratory regression analysis was conducted to determine whether the obligation to pay fees predicted overall quality. Results In total, 83 of 1217 identified mobile apps were included in the analysis. Generally, the mobile apps for older adults were of moderate quality (mean 3.22 [SD 0.68]). Four mobile apps (5%) were evidence-based; 49% (41/83) had no security measures. The user star rating correlated significantly positively with the overall rating (r=.30, P=.01). Obligation to pay fees could not predict overall quality. Conclusions There is an extensive quality range within mobile apps for older adults, indicating deficits in terms of information quality, data protection, and security precautions, as well as a lack of evidence-based approaches. Central databases are needed to identify high-quality mobile apps.

Quality of Physical Activity Apps: Systematic Search in App Stores and Content Analysis

“…Average user ratings in the stores showed a significantly small correlation with the MARS ratings, which is in line with that reported in previous research [ 30 , 36 ]. However, several studies (including apps for weight management and chronic pain) could not identify an association [ 29 , 44 ].…”

“…No randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of one of the included apps could be identified. This lack of a solid evidence base for the use of health apps is in line with that reported in other systematic reviews of app quality (eg, older adults, mindfulness, depression, rheumatoid arthritis, and posttraumatic stress disorder) [36][37][38][39][40]. These systematic reviews showed that the proportion of the scientifically evaluated apps ranges between 0% and 4.8%.…”

“…To determine relevant predictors for overall quality, exploratory multiple linear regression analysis was conducted. Price, store, and the number of functions were used as predictors, as they were significant predictors in other systematic app reviews (eg, older adults, mindfulness, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, rheumatoid arthritis) [36][37][38][39][40]. Dichotomous predictors were dummy coded.…”

“…Nevertheless, user star ratings should be interpreted with caution as end users lack the qualification to assess information quality. Furthermore, user star ratings lack credibility as they could originate from fictitious persons or they could refer to previous versions of the app [ 36 ].…”

Mobile-based interventions for common mental disorders in youth: a systematic evaluation of pediatric health apps

“…from the stores. The functionality and validity of the program has been proven in previous studies [ 44 – 46 ]. For further technical details please see [ 47 ].…”