Bearne, LM; Sekhon, M; Grainger, R; La, A; Shamali, M; Amirova, A; Godfrey, EL; White, CM
(2020)
Smartphone Apps Targeting Physical Activity in People With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Systematic Quality Appraisal and Content Analysis.
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth, 8 (7).
e18495.
ISSN 2291-5222
https://doi.org/10.2196/18495
SGUL Authors: Bearne, Lindsay Mary
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disabling, inflammatory joint condition affecting 0.5%-1% of the global population. Physical activity (PA) and exercise are recommended for people with RA, but uptake and adherence tend to be low. Smartphone apps could assist people with RA to achieve PA recommendations. However, it is not known whether high quality, evidence-informed PA apps that include behavior change techniques (BCTs) previously identified as effective for PA adherence are available for people with RA. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to systematically identify apps that include goals to facilitate PA for adults with RA and assess app quality and content for the inclusion of relevant BCTs against recommendations for cardiorespiratory, resistance, flexibility, and neuromotor PA and exercise. METHODS: A systematic search of the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in the United Kingdom was conducted to identify English language apps that promote PA for adults with RA. Two researchers independently assessed app quality (mobile app rating scale [MARS]; range 0-5) and content (BCT Taxonomy version 1, World Health Organization, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the European League against Rheumatism recommendations for PA). The completeness of reporting of PA prescription was evaluated using a modified version of the Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT; range 0-14). RESULTS: A total of 14,047 apps were identified. Following deduplication, 2737 apps were screened for eligibility; 6 apps were downloaded (2 on the Apple App Store and 4 on the Google Play Store), yielding 4 unique apps. App quality varied (MARS score 2.25-4.17). Only 1 app was congruent with all aspects of the PA recommendations. All apps completely or partially recommended flexibility and resistance exercises, 3 apps completely or partially advised some form of neuromotor exercise, but only 2 offered full or partial guidance on cardiorespiratory exercise. Completeness of exercise reporting was mixed (CERT scores 7-14 points) and 3-7 BCTs were identified. Two BCTs were common to all apps (information about health consequences and instruction on how to perform behavior). Higher quality apps included a greater number of BCTs and were more closely aligned to PA guidance. No published trials evaluating the effect of the included apps were identified. CONCLUSIONS: This review identifies 4 PA apps of mixed quality and content for use by people with RA. Higher quality apps were more closely aligned to PA guidance and included a greater number of BCTs. One high-quality app (Rheumatoid Arthritis Information Support and Education) included 7 BCTs and was fully aligned with PA and exercise guidance. The effect of apps on PA adherence should be established before implementation.
Item Type: |
Article
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Additional Information: |
©Lindsay M Bearne, Mandeep Sekhon, Rebecca Grainger, Anthony La, Mehrdad Shamali, Aliya Amirova, Emma L Godfrey, Claire M White. Originally published in JMIR mHealth and uHealth (http://mhealth.jmir.org), 21.07.2020.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in JMIR mHealth and uHealth, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on http://mhealth.jmir.org/, as well as this copyright and license information must be included. |
Keywords: |
behavior change techniques, exercise, mobile applications, mobile phone, physical activity, rheumatoid arthritis, Adult, Arthritis, Rheumatoid, Exercise, Humans, Mobile Applications, Smartphone, United Kingdom, Humans, Arthritis, Rheumatoid, Exercise, Adult, Mobile Applications, Smartphone, United Kingdom, rheumatoid arthritis, physical activity, exercise, mobile applications, behavior change techniques, mobile phone, 1117 Public Health and Health Services |
SGUL Research Institute / Research Centre: |
Academic Structure > Population Health Research Institute (INPH) |
Journal or Publication Title: |
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth |
ISSN: |
2291-5222 |
Language: |
eng |
Dates: |
Date | Event |
---|
21 July 2020 | Published | 14 May 2020 | Accepted |
|
Publisher License: |
Creative Commons: Attribution 4.0 |
PubMed ID: |
32706727 |
Web of Science ID: |
WOS:000555959800001 |
![](http://static.pubmed.gov/portal/portal3rc.fcgi/2745237/img/27842) |
Go to PubMed abstract |
URI: |
https://openaccess.sgul.ac.uk/id/eprint/114797 |
Publisher's version: |
https://doi.org/10.2196/18495 |
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