Methodological Quality of Manuscripts Reporting on the Usability of Mobile Applications for Pain Assessment and Management: A Systematic Review

Ana F. Almeida, Nelson P. Rocha and Anabela G. Silva
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Ana F. Almeida: Institute of Electronics and Informatics Engineering of Aveiro (IEETA), Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Nelson P. Rocha: Institute of Electronics and Informatics Engineering of Aveiro (IEETA), Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Anabela G. Silva: School of Health Sciences, Universidade de Aveiro - Edifício 30, Agras do Crasto - Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-12

Abstract: Background: There has been increasing use of mobile mHealth applications, including pain assessment and pain self-management apps. The usability of mHealth applications has vital importance as it affects the quality of apps. Thus, usability assessment with methodological rigor is essential to minimize errors and undesirable consequences, as well as to increase user acceptance. Objective: this study aimed to synthesize and evaluate existing studies on the assessment of the usability of pain-related apps using a newly developed scale. Methods: an electronic search was conducted in several databases, combining relevant keywords. Then titles and abstracts were screened against inclusion and exclusion criteria. The eligible studies were retrieved and independently screened for inclusion by two authors. Disagreements were resolved by discussion until consensus was reached. Results: a total of 31 articles were eligible for inclusion. Quality assessment revealed that most manuscripts did not assess usability using valid instruments or triangulation of methods of usability assessment. Most manuscripts also failed to assess the three domains of usability (effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction). Conclusions: future studies should consider existing guidelines on usability assessment design, development and assessment of pain-related apps.

Keywords: pain; app; mobile app; mobile application; application; usability (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 (2)

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