Assessment of the Quality of Mobile Applications (Apps) for Management of Low Back Pain Using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS)

Adrian Escriche-Escuder, Irene De-Torres, Cristina Roldán-Jiménez, Jaime Martín-Martín, Antonio Muro-Culebras, Manuel González-Sánchez, Maria Ruiz-Muñoz, Fermín Mayoral-Cleries, Attila Biró, Wen Tang, Borjanka Nikolova, Alfredo Salvatore and Antonio I Cuesta-Vargas
Additional contact information
Adrian Escriche-Escuder: Department of Physiotherapy, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Irene De-Torres: Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain
Cristina Roldán-Jiménez: Department of Physiotherapy, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Jaime Martín-Martín: Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain
Antonio Muro-Culebras: Department of Physiotherapy, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Manuel González-Sánchez: Department of Physiotherapy, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Maria Ruiz-Muñoz: Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain
Fermín Mayoral-Cleries: Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain
Attila Biró: ITWare, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
Wen Tang: Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth BH12 5BB, UK
Borjanka Nikolova: Arthaus, Production Trade and Service Company, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia
Alfredo Salvatore: Sensor ID Snc, 86021 Boiano, Italy
Antonio I Cuesta-Vargas: Department of Physiotherapy, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 24, 1-16

Abstract: Digital health interventions may improve different behaviours. However, the rapid proliferation of technological solutions often does not allow for a correct assessment of the quality of the tools. This study aims to review and assess the quality of the available mobile applications (apps) related to interventions for low back pain. Two reviewers search the official stores of Android (Play Store) and iOS (App Store) for localisation in Spain and the United Kingdom, in September 2019, searching for apps related to interventions for low back pain. Seventeen apps finally are included. The quality of the apps is measured using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). The scores of each section and the final score of the apps are retrieved and the mean and standard deviation obtained. The average quality ranges between 2.83 and 4.57 (mean 3.82) on a scale from 1 (inadequate) to 5 (excellent). The best scores are found in functionality (4.7), followed by aesthetic content (mean 4.1). Information (2.93) and engagement (3.58) are the worst rated items. Apps generally have good overall quality, especially in terms of functionality and aesthetics. Engagement and information should be improved in most of the apps. Moreover, scientific evidence is necessary to support the use of applied health tools.

Keywords: application (app); exercise; mHealth; Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS); low back pain (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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