Polarised user reviews of blood pressure self-management apps in Latin American App Store storefronts

Libardo Ramón Polanía, L.ramon@udla.edu.co and María del Pilar Vargas Escamilla

SAP Gamification and Augmented Reality, 2025

Abstract: Introduction: Hypertension control remains low in Latin America, and smartphone apps are proposed for self-management. What users of commercial blood pressure apps write in the region, and whether apps with gamification differ, was unknown. Methods: Cross-sectional study of public Apple App Store data from Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina and Chile. Eligible apps were found with the iTunes Search API, and written reviews dated 2013-2025 were coded manually by theme. Proportions carry Wilson intervals, and links with 1-2 star ratings were estimated with logistic models clustered by app, with a sensitivity analysis without the most reviewed app. Results: Of 239 eligible apps, 18 had written reviews, 130 in total. The most reviewed app held 36.2% of them. Ratings were polarised: 50.0% gave one star and 36.2% five stars. Positive usefulness appeared in 35.4% of reviews, cost and billing in 21.5% and unmet measurement claims in 16.9%. Reminders appeared once. Gamification was detected in 8 apps, none with reviews, so the contrast could not be estimated. Conclusions: Written feedback is scarce, concentrated in few apps and dominated by complaints about billing, failures and measurement claims. The role of gamification cannot be assessed with this source.

Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cwf:grarti:gr202582

DOI: 10.62486/gr202582

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