A Systematic, Multi-domain Review of Mobile Smartphone Apps for Evidence-Based Stress Management

• Published in: American journal of preventive medicine Vol. 51; no. 1; pp. 95 - 105
• Main Authors: Coulon, Sandra M., PhD, Monroe, Courtney M., PhD, West, Delia S., PhD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.07.2016
• Subjects: Evidence-Based Practice; Humans; Internal Medicine; Mobile Applications - utilization; Self Care - instrumentation; Self Care - methods; Smartphone - utilization; Stress, Psychological - prevention & control; Stress, Psychological - therapy
• ISSN: 0749-3797; 1873-2607
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2016.01.026

Contex Chronic stress presents a growing, pervasive burden in healthcare, and mobile smartphone applications (apps) have the potential to deliver evidence-based stress management strategies. This review identified and evaluated stress management apps across domains of (1) evidence-based content; (2) transparency in app development; and (3) functionality of the app interface. Evidence acquisition The iOS App Store was systematically searched. Apps with descriptions indicating that they targeted the intended audience and included evidence-related terminology, at least one evidence-based stress management strategy, and behavior change components were downloaded and evaluated by two independent raters across the three domains of evidence-based content, transparency, and functionality. Evidence synthesis A total of 902 apps were identified based on 21 searches. Of these, 60 met study criteria and were downloaded and evaluated between April and June 2015. Twenty (33%) ultimately did not deliver an evidence-based strategy. Of the delivered strategies, the most common were mindfulness and meditation (73%) and diaphragmatic breathing (25%). On average, apps addressed half of the transparency criteria, and nearly all (85%) were acceptable across usability criteria. A total of 32 apps included both evidence-based content and exhibited no problems with usability or functionality; apps affiliated with a non-profit, research-engaged institution comprised 31% of these. Conclusions This review evaluated 60 iOS apps for stress management across domains of evidence-based content, transparency, and functionality; these apps have the potential to effectively supplement medical care. Findings further indicate that a comprehensive, multi-domain approach can distinguish apps that use evidence-based strategies from those that do not.