Use of smartphone apps in bipolar disorder: An international web-based survey of feature preferences and privacy concerns

Morton, Emma; Nicholas, Jennifer; Lapadat, Laura; O'Brien, Heather L.; Barnes, Steven J.; Poh, Caden; Michalak, Erin E.

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.08.132

Cited by 12 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…The survey was conducted according to a community-based participatory research framework: the Collaborative RESearch Team to study psychosocial issues in Bipolar Disorder (CREST.BD) research network community advisory group (comprised primarily of people living with BD) was consulted regularly regarding survey content and recruitment strategies. This community-based participatory research process is described in full elsewhere (Morton et al 2021a ). Prior reports have summarized predictors of digital health literacy (Morton et al 2022 ) and endorsement of various app features/privacy concerns in this sample (Morton et al 2021a ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This community-based participatory research process is described in full elsewhere (Morton et al 2021a ). Prior reports have summarized predictors of digital health literacy (Morton et al 2022 ) and endorsement of various app features/privacy concerns in this sample (Morton et al 2021a ). Here, to characterize use of self-management apps specifically, we detail responses to survey items related to apps used in self-management of mood and sleep.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluating the quality, safety, and functionality of commonly used smartphone apps for bipolar disorder mood and sleep self-management

Morton

Nicholas

Yang

et al. 2022

Int J Bipolar Disord

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Background Individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) are increasingly turning to smartphone applications (apps) for health information and self-management support. While reviews have raised concerns regarding the effectiveness and safety of publicly available apps for BD, apps surveyed may not reflect what individuals with BD are using. The present study had two aims: first, to characterize the use of health apps to support mood and sleep amongst people with BD, and second, to evaluate the quality, safety and functionality of the most commonly used self-management apps. Methods A web-based survey was conducted to explore which apps people with BD reported using to support self-management of mood and sleep. The characteristics of the most commonly nominated apps were described using a standardized framework, including their privacy policy, clinical foundations, and functionality. Results Respondents (n = 919) were 77.9% female with a mean age of 36.9 years. 41.6% of participants (n = 382) reported using a self-management app to support mood or sleep. 110 unique apps were nominated in relation to mood, and 104 unique apps nominated in relation to sleep; however, most apps were only mentioned once. The nine most frequently nominated apps related to mood and sleep were subject to further evaluation. All reviewed apps offered a privacy policy, however user control over data was limited and the complexity of privacy policies was high. Only one app was developed for BD populations. Half of reviewed apps had published peer-reviewed evidence to support their claims of efficacy, but little research was specific to BD. Conclusion Findings illustrate the potential of smartphone apps to increase the reach of psychosocial interventions amongst people with BD. Apps were largely created by commercial developers and designed for the general population, highlighting a gap in the development and dissemination of evidence-informed apps for BD. There may be risks in using generic health apps for BD self-management; clinicians should enquire about patients’ app use to foster conversations about their particular benefits and limitations.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the quality, safety, and functionality of commonly used smartphone apps for bipolar disorder mood and sleep self-management

Morton

Nicholas

Yang

et al. 2022

Int J Bipolar Disord

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“…In addition to our co-design approach, input from a broader international community of individuals living with BD was gathered through a survey. This survey was used to solicit community perspectives on features and content deemed important for inclusion in a BD-specific mHealth app [33].…”

Section: Co-design Of the Polarus Appmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A recent survey found that 93% of people with BD own smartphones, and 77% expressed willingness to receive support with self-management strategies via an app [32]. However, to capitalize on the potential of app-based interventions for BD, the field must address the pressing challenge of user engagement and retention [33]. Evidence from the broader field of digital mental health research suggests that user interest does not necessarily translate to sustained use of web-or app-based interventions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The alpha version of the app that will be evaluated in this study, the PolarUs app, builds on and advances a decade of research by the Collaborative Research Team to Study Psychosocial Issues in Bipolar Disorder (CREST.BD). Specifically, the PolarUs app synthesizes and advances the evidence and resources contained in the QoL Tool and Bipolar Wellness Centre and incorporates additional features and content nominated as important by individuals with BD [33]. Furthermore, individuals with BD and BD researchers co-designed the PolarUs app, which incorporates evidence-informed self-management strategies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Supporting Self-management and Quality of Life in Bipolar Disorder With the PolarUs App (Alpha): Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study

Michalak¹,

Barnes²,

Morton³

et al. 2022

JMIR Res Protoc

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Background Quality of life (QoL) is increasingly being recognized as a key outcome of interventions for bipolar disorder (BD). Mobile phone apps can increase access to evidence-based self-management strategies and provide real-time support. However, although individuals with lived experiences desire support with monitoring and improving broader health domains, existing BD apps largely target mood symptoms only. Further, evidence from the broader mobile health (mHealth) literature has shown that the desires and goals of end users are not adequately considered during app development, and as a result, engagement with mental health apps is suboptimal. To capitalize on the potential of apps to optimize wellness in BD, there is a need for interventions developed in consultation with real-world users designed to support QoL self-monitoring and self-management. Objective This mixed methods pilot study was designed to evaluate the alpha version of the newly developed PolarUs app, developed to support QoL self-monitoring and self-management in people with BD. Co-designed using a community-based participatory research framework, the PolarUs app builds on the web-based adaptation of a BD-specific QoL self-assessment measure and integrates material from a web-based portal providing information on evidence-informed self-management strategies in BD. The primary objectives of this project were to evaluate PolarUs app feasibility (via behavioral use metrics), the impact of PolarUs (via the Brief Quality of Life in Bipolar Disorder scale, our primary outcome measure), and explore engagement with the PolarUs app (via quantitative and qualitative methods). Methods Participants will be residents of North America (N=150), aged >18 years, with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision diagnosis of BD type 1, BD type 2, or BD not otherwise specified as assessed by structured diagnostic interview. An embedded mixed methods research design will be adopted; qualitative interviews with a purposefully selected subsample (approximately, n=30) of participants will be conducted to explore in more depth feasibility, impact, and engagement with the PolarUs app over the 12-week study period. Results At the time of publication of this protocol, the development of the alpha version of the PolarUs app was complete. Participant enrollment has begun in June 2022. Data collection is expected to be completed by December 2022. Conclusions Beyond contributing knowledge on the feasibility and impact of a novel app to support QoL and self-management in BD, this study will also provide new insights related to engagement with mHealth apps. Furthermore, it will function as a case study of successful co-design between people with BD, health care providers, and BD researchers, providing a template for the future use of community-based participatory research frameworks in mHealth intervention development. The results will be used to further refine the PolarUs app and inform the design of a larger clinical trial. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/36213

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The Minimum Feature Set for Designing Mobile Apps to Support Bipolar Disorder-Affected Patients: Proposal of Essential Functions and Requirements

Heydarian

Shakiba

Kalhori

2023

J Healthc Inform Res

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Use of smartphone apps in bipolar disorder: An international web-based survey of feature preferences and privacy concerns

Cited by 12 publications

References 48 publications

Evaluating the quality, safety, and functionality of commonly used smartphone apps for bipolar disorder mood and sleep self-management

Evaluating the quality, safety, and functionality of commonly used smartphone apps for bipolar disorder mood and sleep self-management

Supporting Self-management and Quality of Life in Bipolar Disorder With the PolarUs App (Alpha): Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study

The Minimum Feature Set for Designing Mobile Apps to Support Bipolar Disorder-Affected Patients: Proposal of Essential Functions and Requirements

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