RT Journal Article
T1 Assessment of the Quality of Mobile Applications (Apps) for Management of Low Back Pain Using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS)
A1 Escriche-Escuder, Adrian
A1 De-Torres, Irene
A1 Roldán-Jiménez, Cristina
A1 Martín-Martín, Jaime
A1 Muro-Culebras, Antonio
A1 González-Sánchez, Manuel
A1 Ruiz-Muñoz, Maria
A1 Mayoral-Cleries, Fermín
A1 Biró, Attila
A1 Tang, Wen
A1 Nikolova, Borjanka
A1 Salvatore, Alfredo
A1 Cuesta-Vargas, Antonio I.
K1 Application (app)
K1 Exercise
K1 mHealth
K1 Mobile app rating scale (MARS)
K1 Low back pain
K1 Mobile health
K1 Assessment
K1 Aplicaciones móviles
K1 Ejercicio físico
K1 Telemedicina
K1 Dolor de la región lumbar
K1 Evaluación
AB 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.
PB MDPI
SN 1661-7827
YR 2020
FD 2020-12-09
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10668/4550
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10668/4550
LA en
NO Escriche-Escuder A, De-Torres I, Roldán-Jiménez C, Martín-Martín J, Muro-Culebras A, González-Sánchez M, et al. Assessment of the Quality of Mobile Applications (Apps) for Management of Low Back Pain Using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Dec 9;17(24):9209
DS RISalud
RD Apr 9, 2025