Quality of Mobile Phone and Tablet Mobile Apps for Speech Sound Disorders: Protocol for an Evidence-Based Appraisal

BackgroundRecently there has been exponential growth in mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) for children with speech disorders. A challenge for health professionals and families is knowing how to find high quality apps that are therapeutically beneficial. We systematically search and critique the quality of mobile apps for childhood speech disorders. An evidence-based method for identifying suitable apps in the Google Play and Apple iTunes stores is also proposed.Methods and findingsA systematic search of the Google Play and Apple iTunes app stores was conducted from November 2016 to May 2017. Twelve pre-defined search terms were applied, identifying 5076 apps. Systematic screening resulted in 132 unique apps for full appraisal. These were appraised by two raters using the Mobile Application Rating scale. None were of excellent quality. Twenty-five were of good quality, 105 average and 2 were poor or very poor.DiscussionIt can be challenging for consumers to locate high quality speech therapy apps for children. Although we found more than 5000 apps, less than 3% met criteria for evaluation. Difficulties sourcing valid apps included: (i) Boolean operators were not available and therefore only one search term could be used each time (ii) the order of app listings in online stores continually changed (iii) apps were organised in online stores according to relevance and popularity (iv) there was no easy way to extract app titles and eliminate duplicates (v) app cost did not always correlate with therapeutic quality.ConclusionsThe rapid growth of mHealth heightens the need to develop rigorous and efficient systems to search and retrieve apps and evaluate their therapeutic benefits. Given the difficulty accessing speech therapy services worldwide, mHealth promises therapy benefits when apps are reliable, valid and easily found.

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“…The methods for this evaluation are detailed in a recent protocol publication by Furlong et al [ 13 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mobile apps for treatment of speech disorders in children: An evidence-based analysis of quality and efficacy

et al. 2018

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“…Specifically, mobile therapy apps may increase customization, ease of access, engagement with therapy, and optimize therapy dosage, which could assist in reducing the effects of social stigmas associated with communication impairment [ 20 ]. Mobile therapy apps may also offer greater opportunities for generalizing therapy goals to real-world settings and provide additional ways for clients to receive valuable feedback to reinforce positive behaviors and enhance performance [ 21 , 22 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mobile Apps for Speech-Language Therapy in Adults With Communication Disorders: Review of Content and Quality

Vaezipour¹,

Campbell²,

Theodoros³

et al. 2020

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth

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Background Worldwide, more than 75% of people with acquired brain injury (ABI) experience communication disorders. Communication disorders are impairments in the ability to communicate effectively, that is, sending, receiving, processing, and comprehending verbal and nonverbal concepts and symbols. Such disorders may have enduring impacts on employment, social participation, and quality of life. Technology-enabled interventions such as mobile apps have the potential to increase the reach of speech-language therapy to treat communication disorders. However, ensuring that apps are evidence-based and of high quality is critical for facilitating safe and effective treatment for adults with communication disorders. Objective The aim of this review is to identify mobile apps that are currently widely available to adults with communication disorders for speech-language therapy and to assess their content and quality using the validated Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). Methods Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and webpages were searched to identify mobile apps for speech-language therapy. Apps were included in the review if they were designed for the treatment of adult communication disorders after ABI, were in English, and were either free or for purchase. Certified speech-language pathologists used the MARS to assess the quality of the apps. Results From a total of 2680 apps identified from Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and web searches, 2.61% (70/2680) apps met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. Overall, 61% (43/70) were available for download on the iPhone Operating System (iOS) platform, 20% (14/70) on the Android platform, and 19% (13/70) on both iOS and Android platforms. A content analysis of the apps revealed 43 apps for language, 17 apps for speech, 8 apps for cognitive communication, 6 apps for voice, and 5 apps for oromotor function or numeracy. The overall MARS mean score was 3.7 out of 5, SD 0.6, ranging between 2.1 and 4.5, with functionality being the highest-scored subscale (4.3, SD 0.6), followed by aesthetics (3.8, SD 0.8), information (3.4, SD 0.6), and engagement (3.3, SD 0.6). The top 5 apps were Naming Therapy (4.6/5), Speech Flipbook Standard (4.6/5), Number Therapy (4.5/5), Answering Therapy, and Constant Therapy (4.4/5). Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study to systematically identify and evaluate a broad range of mobile apps for speech-language therapy for adults with communication disorders after sustaining ABI. We found a lack of interactive and engaging elements in the apps, a critical factor in sustaining self-managed speech-language therapy. More evidence-based apps with a focus on human factors, user experience, and a patient-led design approach are required to enhance effectiveness and long-term use.

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“…However, mobile app use has been shown to increase enjoyment, motivation for, and compliance with therapy in children [16,18,21,23]. Furthermore, proponents of mobile apps for pediatric SLPs suggest apps can help supplement or increase practice time and enhance a family’s engagement with therapy, enhancing the efficiency of traditional therapy [25,68]. There is early evidence for an evidence-based, joint team approach to app development for speech sound disorders that may offer a solution to this problem [27].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Numerous studies report strong child engagement and motivation with the applications, but improvement in skills and generalization of those skills is limited by methodology (ie, no control group) or is not reported [16-21,24]. In fact, Furlong, Morris, Erickson and Serry (2018) developed a protocol for evidence-based appraisal of mobile apps for speech sound disorders [25], and in a systematic review of the Apple iTunes store and Google Play store for apps for speech disorders they found only a small proportion of applications that would be considered very high quality or therapeutically beneficial [26]. There is early evidence for creating applications that are better informed by a joint team approach that shows promise [27].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologists’ Use of Mobile Health Technology: Qualitative Questionnaire Study

Thompson¹,

Zimmerman²

2019

JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol

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BackgroundWhile technology use in pediatric therapies is increasing, there is so far no research available focusing on how pediatric speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in the United States use technology.ObjectiveThis paper sought to determine if, and to what extent, pediatric SLPs are using mobile apps, to determine what purpose they are using them for, and to identify gaps in available technology to provide guidance for future technological development.MethodsPediatric SLPs completed an online survey containing five sections: demographics, overall use, use in assessment, use in intervention, barriers, and future directions.ResultsMobile app use by 485 pediatric SLPs in the clinical setting was analyzed. Most (364/438; 83.1%) pediatric SLPs reported using technology ≤50% of the time in their clinical work, with no differences evident by age group (<35 years and ≥35 years; P=.97). Pediatric SLPs are currently using apps for intervention (399/1105; 36.1%), clinical information (241/1105; 21.8%), parent education (151/1105; 13.7%), assessment (132/1105; 12%), client education (108/1105; 9.8%), and other uses (55/1105; 5.0%). Cost (46/135; 34.1%) and lack of an evidence base (36/135; 26.7%) were the most frequently reported barriers. Most SLPs (268/380; 70.7%) desired more technology use, with no difference evident by age group (P=.81).ConclusionsA majority of pediatric SLPs are using mobile apps less than 50% of the time in a pediatric setting and they use them more during intervention compared to assessment. While pediatric SLPs are hesitant to add to their client’s screen time, they would like more apps to be developed that are supported by research and are less expensive. Implications for future research and app development are also discussed.

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Quality of Mobile Phone and Tablet Mobile Apps for Speech Sound Disorders: Protocol for an Evidence-Based Appraisal

Cited by 28 publications

References 21 publications

Mobile apps for treatment of speech disorders in children: An evidence-based analysis of quality and efficacy

Mobile apps for treatment of speech disorders in children: An evidence-based analysis of quality and efficacy

Mobile Apps for Speech-Language Therapy in Adults With Communication Disorders: Review of Content and Quality

Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologists’ Use of Mobile Health Technology: Qualitative Questionnaire Study

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